二龙戏珠

二龍戲珠

èrlóngxìzhū

idiom

Meanings

1 two dragons playing with a pearl (idiom)
2 an auspicious decorative motif; also name of a banquet dish

Characters

Examples

大殿的屋脊上雕着二龙戏珠。

Dà diàn de wūjǐ shàng diāo zhe èrlóngxìzhū.

A 'two dragons playing with a pearl' motif is carved on the roof ridge of the main hall.

宴席上上了一道二龙戏珠。

Yànxí shàng shàng le yī dào èrlóngxìzhū.

A 'two dragons playing with a pearl' dish was served at the banquet.

Tips

history

Attested in 《红楼梦》 ch. 3, describing Jia Baoyu's 'gold tasseled band embroidered with two dragons playing with a pearl'. The motif itself is older, appearing on palace ridges, jade carvings and dragon robes as an auspicious symbol.

Stroke Order

二 èr

龙 lóng

戏 xì

珠 zhū