Butterfly Posted June 27, 2011 at 07:18 PM Report Posted June 27, 2011 at 07:18 PM Hello everyone, my chinese ex colleague gave me a very nice tattoo example, especially for me, because I love Butterflies. I like it so much. But now after 4 years, I would like to add more signs to it. I have this signs on my backbone: 莊周夢蝶 Do you know this? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zhuangzi The butterfly dream: Another well-known part of the book, which is also found in Chapter 2, is usually called "Zhuangzi dreamed he was a butterfly" (莊周夢蝶 Zhuāng Zhōu mèng dié). Again, the names have been changed to pinyin romanization for consistency: Once Zhuangzi dreamt he was a butterfly, a butterfly flitting and fluttering around, happy with himself and doing as he pleased. He didn't know he was Zhuangzi. Suddenly he woke up and there he was, solid and unmistakable Zhuangzi. But he didn't know if he was Zhuangzi who had dreamt he was a butterfly, or a butterfly dreaming he was Zhuangzi. Between Zhuangzi and a butterfly there must be some distinction! This is called the Transformation of Things. I would like to have 4 or 6 more signs. But it should make sense. I don´t like to add something like this: mother, love, friends, flowers Can someone help me, please??? Thank you so much in advance. Your Butterfly Quote
Hofmann Posted June 27, 2011 at 09:01 PM Report Posted June 27, 2011 at 09:01 PM OK...how about 4 more, in a 仄仄平平 pattern this time, so that you have a couplet? Quote
Butterfly Posted June 28, 2011 at 04:52 PM Author Report Posted June 28, 2011 at 04:52 PM Hey, thank you so much for your feedback. Hmmm...and what does it mean? I think it looks not so nice to have two same signs one after another :/ Quote
jbradfor Posted June 28, 2011 at 04:56 PM Report Posted June 28, 2011 at 04:56 PM It refers to oblique and level tones in classical Chinese. Hofmann is very into couplets. Personally, I think your question is too vague; is there anything more specific you want from your tattoo? Quote
Butterfly Posted June 28, 2011 at 05:02 PM Author Report Posted June 28, 2011 at 05:02 PM Ah ok...I would like to have something that make sense with my existing signs. Not: The Butterfly Dream Flowers Luck Freedom . . . . And something that looks nice. I think about 5 more signs which make sense in the whole meaning of my tattoo. Quote
Hofmann Posted June 28, 2011 at 10:58 PM Report Posted June 28, 2011 at 10:58 PM 莊周夢蝶 杜甫詩蟌 Have better? Quote
Butterfly Posted June 29, 2011 at 04:37 PM Author Report Posted June 29, 2011 at 04:37 PM that looks nice ...what does it mean? Quote
Hofmann Posted June 29, 2011 at 05:50 PM Report Posted June 29, 2011 at 05:50 PM "Du Fu versifies [about] dragonflies." Quote
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and select your username and password later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.