墙角数枝梅

牆角數枝梅
qiángjiǎo shù zhī méi
quotation

Meanings

  1. 1 a few sprays of plum at the corner of the wall
  2. 2 Wang Anshi's opening image - plum blossoms in a forgotten corner, quietly blooming through winter

Examples

HSK 6
Yuànzi hòumiàn qiángjiǎoshùzhīméi, dōngtiān yī kāi, mǎn yuàn qīngxiāng.
A few sprays of plum at the wall corner behind the yard - when they bloom in winter, the whole courtyard smells sweet.
HSK 7-9
Tā xiě shī xǐhuān yòng " qiángjiǎoshùzhīméi " lái bǐyù mòmò jiānshǒu de rén.
In her poems she likes using 'a few sprays of plum at the wall corner' to symbolize people who endure quietly.

Tips

history
From 《梅花》 by 王安石 (Northern Song): 墙角数枝梅,凌寒独自开。遥知不是雪,为有暗香来. Wang wrote it after political defeat; the plum, blooming alone against the cold, is the self-portrait.
culture
(plum) is one of the 四君子 (Four Gentlemen) of Chinese painting, along with orchid, bamboo, and chrysanthemum, a symbol of integrity through adversity.

Stroke Order

qiáng
jiǎo
shù
zhī
méi