Page 202 - A Dictionary of Chinese Symbols BIG Book
P. 202
A-Z 195
Boys used to be taught to hide the right hand under the left (which corresponds to
yang) when greeting someone, while girls were correspondingly instructed to conceal the
left hand under the right. When shaking hands on a deal or making a formal gesture of
agreement or friendship, the Chinese always offer the right hand. Little is known about
left-handedness in China, but left-handed people seem to be regarded as deviants.
Lichee
li-zhi
The lichee is a South Chinese fruit with white flesh and a brown, rather large kernel. It is
tinned and exported as a dessert fruit to Europe and America. In North China, dried
longans and lichees are laid under the marriage bed in the hope that the union will be
blessed with children. Water-chestnuts and lichees together express the idea of ‘cunning’
or ‘smart’ (ling-li).
Fruit in a bowl: lichees, lotus roots and water-nuts
Lily
bai-he
The day-lily (Hemerocallis) is supposed to be the plant that helps you to forget your
troubles. It is also known as the ‘Bringer of Sons’, and is therefore often given to a young
woman on the occasion of her marriage, or on her birthday.
