Tào Nga

Definition

1. Proper Noun:
   • Cao'e: A legendary filial daughter from the Han Dynasty of China, renowned for her extreme devotion to her father. When her father drowned and his body could not be found, the 14-year-old Cao'e wept and searched along the river for days before drowning herself in grief. Three days later, her body surfaced, clutching her father's corpse, leading locals to venerate her as a deity and build a temple in her honor.
   • This term primarily refers to the historical/mythological figure and is a symbol of ultimate filial piety.

Usage Examples

• Proper Noun:
  • Truyền thuyết về Tào Nga là một câu chuyện cảm động về lòng hiếu thảo. (The legend of Cao'e is a touching story of filial piety.)
  • Ngôi đền thờ Tào Nga vẫn còn ở Trung Quốc. (The temple dedicated to Cao'e still exists in China.)

Advanced Usage

• The story of Tào Nga is often cited in literature and moral teachings as a paramount example of filial piety (). It is used to illustrate the Confucian virtue of devotion to one's parents.

Variants and Related Words

• Hiếu nữ Tào Nga: The Filial Daughter Cao'e. This is a common epithet used to refer to her.
• Sự tích Tào Nga: The story/tale of Cao'e.

Synonyms

• Paragon of filial piety: A model of devotion to one's parents.
• Filial daughter: A daughter who exhibits great devotion to her parents.

Cultural and Historical Context

• Tào Nga is not a general vocabulary word but a specific cultural reference. Her story is deeply embedded in the cultural histories of Vietnam and China, transmitted through Confucian teachings and folklore. The term is used almost exclusively in the context of discussing this legend, classical literature, or the virtue of filial piety.