Droplets

Mandarin Ducks, which are referred to by the Chinese as Yuan-yang meaning male and female
In traditional Chinese culture, Mandarin Ducks... more

by Joseph Rossi

Title

Droplets

Artist

Joseph Rossi

Medium

Photograph

Description

Mandarin Ducks, which are referred to by the Chinese as "Yuan-yang" meaning male and female
In traditional Chinese culture, Mandarin Ducks represent a life-time couple, unlike many other species of ducks. Hence they are frequently featured in Chinese art and are regarded as a symbol of conjugal affection and fidelity.
A Chinese proverb for loving couples uses the Mandarin Duck as a metaphor: "Two mandarin ducks playing in water" The Mandarin Duck symbol is also used in Chinese weddings, because in traditional Chinese lore they symbolize wedded bliss and fidelity.
2 Males showing off.

Mandarin Ducks, which are referred to by the Chinese as "Yuan-yang" meaning male and female

In traditional Chinese culture, Mandarin Ducks represent a life-time couple, unlike many other species of ducks. Hence they are frequently featured in Chinese art and are regarded as a symbol of conjugal affection and fidelity.

A Chinese proverb for loving couples uses the Mandarin Duck as a metaphor: "Two mandarin ducks playing in water". The Mandarin Duck symbol is also used in Chinese weddings, because in traditional Chinese lore they symbolize wedded bliss and fidelity.

Because the male and female plumages of the Mandarin Duck are so unalike, yuan-yang is frequently used colloquially in Cantonese to mean an "odd couple" or "unlikely pair" – a mixture of two different types of same category. For example, yuanyang (drink) and yuan-yang fried rice.

Uploaded

January 15th, 2013