Page 307 - A Dictionary of Chinese Symbols BIG Book
P. 307
Q
Quail
an; chun
The quail is a symbol of courage, because in rural China quail-fights – like cock-fights –
were a popular form of amusement. It used to be believed that the quail sang all summer,
turned into a big field-mouse at the onset of winter, and reappeared as a quail in the
spring ( swallow). ‘The quails go in pairs, the magpies fly two by two’ says a famous
couplet in the Shi-jing (the ‘Book of Odes’), which was often used to make deeper
political points.
‘Nine quails together’ means ‘May nine generations live together in peace (an)’. In
this sentence, the verb ‘live’ (ju) is symbolised by ju = chrysanthemum. In the nature of
things, it is not a sentence that is very often appropriate.
Nine quails with a chrysanthemum
Prostitutes are sometimes called ‘quails who sell their feathers (i.e. their skin)’.
