loan hoàng

Definition

1. Noun:
   • A pair of mythical birds: "loan hoàng" refers to a pair of auspicious, mythical birds in Vietnamese culture, specifically the loan (female phoenix) and the hoàng (male phoenix). It symbolizes marital harmony, nobility, and rare beauty.
   • A metaphor for a talented person in an unworthy position: Derived from classical literature, it describes a person of high virtue or exceptional talent being placed in a lowly or unsuitable position, much like a noble bird perching on a low, thorny bush.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Trong tranh cổ, đôi loan hoàng thường tượng trưng cho hạnh phúc lứa đôi. (In ancient paintings, the pair of loan and hoàng often symbolizes marital happiness.)
  • Ông ấy tài giỏi mà phải làm việc tầm thường, đúng là loan hoàng đậu bụi gai. (He is talented but has to do mundane work; it is truly a case of "a noble bird perching on a thorny bush".)

Advanced Usage

• The phrase "loan hoàng đậu bụi gai" (the and perch on a thorny bush) is a fixed idiomatic expression. It is used to criticize a situation where a person of high caliber is wasted in an inferior role or environment.

Variants and Related Words

• Phượng hoàng (n): phoenix. This is a more general term for the mythical bird, whereas "loan hoàng" specifies the pair.
• Loan (n): the female phoenix.
• Hoàng (n): the male phoenix.

Synonyms

• Illustrious couple: A pair of distinguished individuals.
• Square peg in a round hole: A person unsuited to their position (for the metaphorical meaning).

Related Idioms

• Loan hoàng đậu bụi gai: As above, meaning a worthy person in an unworthy place.
  • Nhà thơ tài ba ấy đi dạy học thuộc lòng, thật đúng cảnh loan hoàng đậu bụi gai. (That talented poet teaching rote memorization is a true scene of "a noble bird perching on a thorny bush".)