Page 203 - A Dictionary of Chinese Symbols BIG Book

A Dictionary of Chinese Symbols 196

The day-lily

There is a connection between this lily and the ancient custom of foot-binding.
According to the legend, the last Emperor of the Qi Dynasty was so roused to ecstasy one
day by the beauty of one of his concubines that he cried, ‘Wherever she steps, a lily
springs up.’ Hence the appellation of ‘Golden Lily’ for artificially shrunken feet.
The custom of foot-binding did not in fact become widespread until late in the Tang
Dynasty (618–906).
Irises (bai-he; family Iridaceae) are effective in repelling evil spirits, especially on
the 5th day of the 5th month, when irises were hung up over doors. Eating irises is a way
of prolonging your life.

Lion

shi-zi

The Chinese word for ‘lion’ is derived from Persian (šir), and it was through embassies
from Western Asia that the Chinese became acquainted with the animal. Among the gifts
brought by ambassadors were lions which were kept in imperial zoos. Later, in Tang
times (618–906), when Chinese armies penetrated deep into Central Asia, the Chinese
may well have seen the animal in the wild for themselves.