Cung Quế xuyên dương
Definition
- Idiom (Thành ngữ):
- Achieving top honors in the imperial examinations and attaining high merit: This classical Vietnamese idiom, derived from Chinese literary allusions, symbolizes the pinnacle of scholarly and martial success. It combines two distinct achievements: "Cung Quế" (reaching the Moon Palace) represents passing the imperial exams with the highest distinction, while "xuyên dương" (piercing the willow leaf) represents achieving unparalleled skill and merit in martial arts or military service.
Detailed Meaning
- "Cung Quế" (Moon Palace / Cassia Bough): Refers to the legend of a cassia tree on the moon. "Bẻ Quế" (Snapping the Cassia Bough) or "lên Cung Quế" (ascending to the Moon Palace) are classical metaphors for achieving first place in the imperial examinations.
- "Xuyên dương" (Piercing the Willow Leaf): Originates from the story of the legendary archer Dưỡng Do Cơ from the Spring and Autumn period, who could shoot an arrow through a willow leaf at a distance of one hundred paces. It symbolizes achieving extraordinary, peerless skill and accomplishing great military feats.
- Combined Meaning: The idiom "Cung Quế xuyên dương" thus describes the ultimate dual accomplishment: supreme success in the civil literary arts (scholarship) and the martial arts (military prowess), leading to fame, high office, and the fulfillment of one's ambitions.
Usage Examples
- Idiom:
- Ước mơ của các nho sinh thời xưa là đạt được "Cung Quế xuyên dương", vừa có học vấn uyên thâm vừa lập được công trạng. (The dream of scholars in the past was to achieve "Cung Quế xuyên dương," possessing profound knowledge while also establishing great merit.)
- Câu chuyện về vị tướng văn võ song toàn ấy giống như một huyền thoại "Cung Quế xuyên dương". (The story of that general, accomplished in both civil and martial arts, is like a "Cung Quế xuyên dương" legend.)
Advanced Usage & Cultural Context
- This is a highly literary and classical idiom, primarily found in historical texts, poetry, or formal writing praising someone's complete and perfect success. It is not used in everyday modern conversation.
- It encapsulates the Confucian ideal of the scholar-official who is both a learned gentleman and a capable leader, prepared to serve the state in peace and war.
Variants and Related Words
- Bẻ Quế / Chiết Quế (v): To snap the cassia bough; to pass the imperial exams with top honors.
- Bách bộ xuyên dương (idiom): To pierce a willow leaf at a hundred paces; to possess supremely accurate skill.
- Công thành danh toại (idiom): To achieve both success and fame; to have one's merits recognized and reputation established.
Synonyms
- To achieve supreme success: To reach the highest level of accomplishment.
- To attain both civil and martial excellence: To be distinguished in both scholarly and military pursuits.
- To pass with highest honors and achieve great deeds: A more literal description of the idiom's meaning.
Related Idioms and Allusions
- Lên Cung Quế: To ascend to the Moon Palace; synonym for achieving top exam results.
- Thiềm cung chiết quế: To snap the cassia bough in the Toad Palace (the moon); another variation with the same meaning as "Cung Quế."
- The story of Dưỡng Do Cơ is the direct source for the "xuyên dương" part of the idiom, symbolizing flawless archery and martial skill.