Page 235 - A Dictionary of Chinese Symbols BIG Book

A Dictionary of Chinese Symbols 228

The old form of the written sign for ‘middle’

Milk

nai

It is only in recent years that the Chinese have started to drink milk, although it has been
used in cooking for much longer. Yoghurt made from sheep’s milk was eaten at various
periods of the Middle Ages. ‘Mother’s milk’ is supposed to give you physical strength
and sexual stamina, and to prolong your life. One may say disparagingly of a little boy
‘Mother’s milk is still wet on his lips.’

The Milky Way is known in China as the ‘heavenly river Han’. (See also
Dryness, Su.)

Millet

su

Millet is widely cultivated, especially in North China. The ‘Yellow Millet Dream’ – an
allegory of the illusory nature, the vanity of worldly preferment and honours – is very
well known. A poor man bemoans his lot in a wayside inn. The sage Lü who is in an
adjoining room hears his complaint and gives him a pillow on which the man falls asleep;