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frostfires-blog · 11 months ago

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Módào Zǔshī Hanakotoba Analysis Part 2

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-> 4) Lotus/Water Lily

-> 4.1.) Lotus/Water Lily Flower Symbolism:

Despite having a few differentiating characteristics, lotuses (Nelumbo nucifera) and water lilies (Nymphaea) are often confused with one another. As a result, there is a lot of overlap in their symbolic meanings, to the point that they convey the same sentiments across multiple cultures. In China, lotuses are known as lián huā (蓮花) or hé huā (荷花), whereas water lilies are known as shuìlián (睡莲) and héhuā (荷花). Lotuses are known as the "gentleman's flower" in China because they grow upwards pure and unstained from the mud. The flower is thus associated with perseverance, elegance, resilience, as well as ultimate purity of mind and heart. The lotus is revered as a sacred flower in Buddhism, representing the essence of divine beauty, wisdom, humility grace and rebirth. It is also a sign of moral integrity, emphasising the importance of maintaining inner purity and virtuous behaviour in the face of worldly temptations. The word “l蓮” (lián) also sounds like “連續” (liánxù) which means continuous. This conveys the idea of constant growth and spiritual progress thus making the lotus a symbol of the continuous pursuit of knowledge, wisdom, and enlightenment. The lotus also has profound significance in Taoism, representing serenity, balance, and the "interconnectedness of all things and the inherent harmony within the universe". The lotus' adaptability to various environments embodies the Taoist concept of living in harmony with nature, flowing with life's rhythms, and preserving equilibrium in the face of change. Additionally, the lotus' ability to rejuvenate and blossom year after year, despite the shifting seasons, represents the continuous cycle of life, death, and rebirth. Part of the lotus flower’s Chinese name “l蓮” (lián) is homophonous with the words “聯” (lián) meaning “to bind/connect as in marriage”; “戀” (liàn) meaning to love; and “廉” (lián) meaning modesty. As a result, the lotus flower has also come to symbolise union, love and marriage in Chinese culture and is thus a prominent motif in both historical and modern works to convey love and emotion. Lotuses are commonly used in bridal bouquets as a symbol of luck and 100 years of love. A single stem bearing two lotus flowers represents the desire for harmony and a shared heart. This is derived from the fact that the “荷” (hé) in the lotus’ other Chinese name also means “union” and is homophonous with the word “和” (hé) meaning uninterrupted or one after another. Furthermore, a lotus flower with a leaf and bud symbolises complete union. In Japan, lotuses are called ren (蓮) or hasu (はす), while water lilies are called suiren (睡蓮). In hanakotoba, lotuses symbolise a pure heart, eloquence, sacredness and departing love—while water lilies symbolise a pure heart, faith and trust. Additionally, both flowers are also associated with rebirth, transformation, enlightenment, beauty, grace, and perfection. In Western floriography, water lilies symbolize purity of the heart, virtue, innocence, achieving great things, beauty rising from humble beginnings and bringing together separate things. Pink waterlilies are commonly associated with feelings of admiration. Since its scientific name was derived from the mythical Greek nymph, water lilies also symbolise dangerous beauty and estranged love.

-> 4.2.) Lotus'/Water Lilies in MDZS:

Lotuses are the most commonly referenced flower in MDZS, and they are generally associated with the Yunmeng Jiang clan. This is due to the clan's insignia, a nine-petaled lotus, as well as the name of their residence, Lotus Pier. According to the novel, the compound is surrounded by “pink blossoms with broad jade-green leaves rose from the depths of the lake, whose waters spanned hundreds of kilometres […] giving the lovely scenery a sort of charming innocence” (MXTX, v. 3, p. 9).

The lotus’ symbolic meanings best embody the characters of Jiang Yanli and Wei Wuxian. > 4,2,1) Jiang Yanli: The flower's symbolic representation of virtue, modesty, innocence, beauty, faith, grace, and purity of the heart perfectly conveys Jiang Yanli's kind and caring demeanour. Jiang Yanli's relationship with Jin Zixuan is a key aspect of her character. The lotus' symbolism of love, union, marriage, and a shared heart corresponds with this. Additionally, in both the web drama and MDZS Q, Jin Zixuan grows lotus flowers as a gift for Jin Yanli. > 4,2,2) Wei Wuxian: Wei Wuxian's life can be divided into three parts: his time as the first disciple of the Jiang clan, his time as the Yiling Laozu, and his life after his resurrection as Mo Xuanyu. During his youth with the Jiang clan, he was a promising upcoming cultivator with a humble background. Despite displaying a mischievous and carefree attitude, he was intelligent, dedicated, virtuous and possessed a strong sense of justice. This ties into the lotus’ symbolism of flowing with life's rhythms, wisdom, perseverance, virtue and beauty from humble beginnings. As the Yiling Laozu, he defies convention by developing an unorthodox cultivation path that deviates from the norm. This corresponds with the lotus' symbolism of the continuous pursuit of knowledge, wisdom and achieving great things. He is determined to protect the innocent regardless of prejudicial beliefs—however, this sense of justice renders him capable of brutality at times. This is what inevitably results in him being seen as an outcast in the cultivation world. Ultimately, his power overwhelms him, causing many casualties given that “no one can walk along a single-plank bridge their entire lives and never fall” (MXTX, v. 2, p. 173). This turn of events all juxtaposed against the lotus’ symbolism of preserving stability in the face of change and achieving ultimate purity of mind and heart. After his resurrection, as a result of his experiences as both a hero and a pariah to the cultivation world, Wei Wuxian sees nuance where many do not and often expresses regret and admits his faults—“You’re not the only ones who remember what I’ve done. I remember too. You won’t forget—what makes you think I will?” (MXTX, v. 4, p. 174). This ties into the lotus’ symbolism of wisdom, constant growth and spiritual progress as well as the continuous cycle of life, death, and rebirth. Additionally, his courtesy name Wuxian (无羡) is derived from the last line of a poem by Xu Ben which translates to “to be free of envy and aspire to greater heights; not be misguided by honorary reputation and personal gain”. This ties into the lotus’ symbolism of maintaining inner purity and virtuous behaviour in the face of worldly temptations.

-> 5) Peony

-> 5.1.) Peony Symbolism:

Peonies (Paeonia) are known as mǔdān (牡丹) in China and were regarded as China’s national flower during the Tang Dynasty (618 to 907 A.D.). In accordance with this, they symbolise prosperity, honour, wealth and beauty, love and happiness. The Chinese term for peonies means "the most beautiful” while other Chinese names for peonies are "fùguìhuā" and "huawang," which translate to "king of the flowers" and "flower of riches and honour," respectively. In Japan, peonies are called botan (牡丹) and symbolize shyness, wealth and regalness in hanakotoba. The flower's profound appearance, notably its multitudes of large petals that are thin and silk-like, is where the peony’s symbolism of wealth and regalness originated. In Western floriography, peonies represent bashfulness and compassion.

-> 5.2.) Peonies in MDZS:

In the series, a white peony cultivar named “Sparks Amidst Snow” is used as the symbol of the Langling Jin Clan. It is said that “by comparing themselves to the king of flowers, they implied they were kings among immortals” (MXTX, v.1, p. 65). This ties in with the peony flower’s symbolic meanings of prosperity, wealth, honour and regalness. Furthermore, pink peonies are often associated with the novel’s central love story between Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji. During the Siege Hunt at Mount Baifeng, Wei Wuxian throws a pink peony to Lan Wangji amidst the parade. Later, while on a trip to Yunmeng, the latter once again encounters Wei Wuxian who throws him another pink peony. In this audio drama adaptation of this scene, Wei Wuxian asks a ghost woman what the meaning of peony is, and she responds that it means "wishing you would return my feelings" or to part with a heavy heart." Years later, following Wei Wuxian's death and resurrection, he finds a pressed peony flower that Lan Wangji uses as a bookmark. This peony was noted by Wei Wuxian as being “extremely well preserved, [with] the colours still vivid and the veins on its petals so delicately textured that it still looked alive” (MXTX, v. 3, p. 191). Given Lan Wangji's sentimental nature, this peony is undoubtedly one of those given to him by Wei Wuxian. The flower’s association with the pair ties into its symbolic meanings of love, compassion, and happiness.

-> 6) Willow Tree

-> 6.1.) Willow Tree Symbolism:

Willow trees are known as liǔ (柳) in China. They are regarded as a symbol of friendship, long-lasting affection, and "urging someone to stay." Willow trees are also connected with spring, therefore they can represent renewal, resilience, the cyclical cycle of existence and the revival of life after a dormant period in winter. Additionally, the willow tree's supple branches can convey an image of meekness and humility. The willow tree's interwoven branches symbolise the depth of friendship because similarly to how branches connect and support one another, genuine friendship is also based on trust, understanding, and mutual support. The willow tree is also associated with separation from loved ones, prompting feelings of sorrow and longing. Willow branches are commonly utilised in Chinese funeral rites as a symbol of grief and remembrance. Willows, known in Japan as yanagi (柳), represent obedience, independence, and the melancholy of love in hanakotoba. The willow’s symbolism of obedience is derived from how its leaves sway in the wind. In contradiction with this, its symbolic meaning of freedom also stems from how freely its leaves sway in the wind. In Western floriography, willows are associated with both freedom and sadness. Weeping willows in particular represent grief, melancholy, and mourning.

-> 6.2.) Willow Trees in MDZS:

Given its symbolic meanings, willow trees can be associated with Jiang Cheng and Wei Wuxian’s complicated, but strong dynamic. This is supported by Wei Wuxian specially mentioning a willow tree when remising about his youth spent in Lotus Pier with Jiang Cheng—“there was an old willow tree rooted on the bank, with a thick, sturdy trunk that slanted over the water and branches that trailed onto its surface. The boys of Lotus Pier would often walk along the trunk of this particular willow tree to sit and fish from the treetop” (MXTX, v. 3, p. 109). While the duo's bond started as one of trust, support, and mutual understanding, it has distorted into one of melancholy, mourning, and longing. This juxtaposition encompasses all of the willow's connotations across various cultures. The willow’s association with spring, renewal, resilience and revival could be indicative that Jiang Cheng and Wei Wuxian’s bond could be repaired if given time, considering that they never properly reconciled because of Jiang Cheng’s reluctance—“But just as the Wei Wuxian of the past who’d extracted his golden core for Jiang Cheng had been unable to tell him the truth, the Jiang Cheng of the present could no longer bring himself to speak up” (MXTX, v. 5, p. 127).

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╰┈➤ Part 1

╰┈➤ TGCF Hanakotoba Post Part 1

╰┈➤ Other Hanakotoba Posts

[Please check out part 1 as well! If anyone has any ideas on what anime/anime theme song I should cover next in this series please lmk✿ Also, if you liked this post, check out my other hanakotoba analysis posts... Lastly, if I've gotten any of the kanji, romaji, hanzi or pinyin incorrect, feel free to correct me]

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bloomingapricots · 2 years ago

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Eclipsing the Sun

Updated here first at AO3

Ending One Destiny’s Design, the best ending

Btw I edited chapter one a bit

Life | Destiny’s Design (here) | Threaded Fate

Chapter Two | Ending One | Destiny's Design

You slowly sat up from the mat you were laid on. You did not expect to survive your poisoning if you were to be honest.

“Oh, Xiongjie is awake!” A young voice commented, which you snapped your head to turn to look at.

“Oh my god.” you accidentally slipped out. “A-Yuan!?”

“Wen Duzhe,” you may or may not have screamed as you realized Lan Zhan was on the other side of your bed. As it turned out, you put yourself in a coma and missed the ending battle, as well as missed the discussion of what to do with the Wen remnants. Despite your contribution in bringing down a good majority of the Wens, there were many who called for your death, so Lan Zhan carried you to Yiling where the remnants of your clansmen are.

—

“Wen Duzhe!” Wei Ying ran up to you as you exited the hut you were staying at.

“Wei Wuxian,” You stated as you walked slowly toward Wei Ying.

“Wen Duzhe?” Wei Ying questioned as he slowed down after noticing your mood.

“W.e.i.W.u.x.i.a.n!” You are slowly repeating Wei Ying’s name. Wei Ying stopped five feet from you before slowly walking away from you. “You idiot!” you started chasing after Wei Ying when he started running from you.

“Wen Duzhe, why are you chasing me!?” Wei Ying yelped.

“Why, huh? I don’t know, maybe because you left me with your Sect!” you yelled your reply. As mentioned before, you had done the same stunt at Cloud Recesses before at Lotus Pier. But then Wei Ying had left with Wen Qing, leaving your unconscious self at Lotus Pier. Standing between Madam Jiang’s and Jiang Cheng’s wrath was Jiang Yanli as you befriended the girl back at Cloud Recesses. “Jiang Cheng did not like me back then, and he definitely does not like me right now!” You tackled Wei Ying to the ground and pinched his cheeks.

“Wait! Wait! Yield! I yield!” Wei Ying yelped as you started bonking his head with yours. “Please have mercy!”

—

You are in a meeting to discuss the future of the remaining Wens with Lan Zhan, Wei Ying, Wen Qing, and,

“It’s that A-Ning!?” You squealed and pointed at the fierce corpse that is your cousin.

“Duzhe-xiongjie,” Wen Ning mumbled. You may or may not have cried at your failure to save Wen Ning from becoming a fierce corpse. After crying from not only being unable to save Wen Ning from his fate but also breaking down from the heavy burden you had carried since transmigrating into MDZS.

“Feeling better, Wen Duzhe?” Wei Ying asked as he gently patted your back. You sniffed before replying,

“Not really, but I will be,” You sighed.

“Duzhe-dimei[4],” Wen Qing called.

“Yes?” You replied.

“I... I know you're in shock, but I must ask, how long did you plan that?” Wen Qing asked.

“... Plan what?” You replied. That is a too stupid response you thought, internally screeching. Wen Qing looked at you unconvinced and disappointed.

“You know what I mean,” Wen Qing now looked disappointed and upset, not the angry upset that often appeared on her face. But the helpless upset that you would sometimes see only when Wen Qing thought she was alone. A hand gently grabbed your right hand, and it was Lan Zhan who was holding your right hand.

“Wen Duzhe, it is not good to lie,” Lan Zhan too looked upset in his subtle way. He was even patting your right hand.

“It was surprising to see you appear at Yunmeng and then poison your own clan, a simple spread of powder that easily weakened your clansmen,” Wei Ying said. You internally sweated as Wen Qing was in front of you, Wei Ying was behind you, Lan Zhan was at your right, and Wen Ning was at your left. You are boxed in, you cannot escape from this conversation.

“At Gusu too,” Lan Zhan added.

“Duzhe-dimei, please,” Wen Qing pleaded.

“...” You sighed. “Alright, I give,” You begin to explain that since your preteens, you had always known that your sect leader was an awful person and that his sons would be too. So you plan to poison everyone but the children, the elderly, and the innocents. You researched and experimented on plants that at first would remain dormant, only to become poisonous by another plant mixed in.

“And you tested yourself?” Wen Ning asked, remembering your lab in a hidden cave.

“Yes,” You replied.

“Duzhe-dimei!” Wen Qing went to your left to clench at your left hand, Wen Ning moved out of the way. “You-! You went to the infirmary so many times I-I, was that the reason?“ She checked your meridians as you nodded your head. You felt Lan Zhan pouring his spiritual energy into you.

“As mentioned, the poison is two steps. Part one was a tasteless, undetectable, dormant poison that was to be ingested with food I helped prepare, and part two was a powdered poison that was to be inhaled. I have fed everyone who shared our sect leader’s ideology part one, and during the battles, I spread part two,” You snickered “Well part one was not technically a poison as it would not have gotten past the poison test tasters, hence why the poisoning process was in two parts,”

“Wen Duzhe, your golden core, and dantian. Even your meridian is…” Lan Zhan said.

“Even if someone survived, the poison will devour their cultivation.” You smiled an empty smile.

“Then-!” Wen Qing channeled her spiritual energy as noticed what Lan Zhan noticed. “How are you still alive!?”

“It surprised me too, to be honest. I had planned to die after taking down the forces in Gusu, but here we are,” You shrugged. You were then hugged fiercely by Wei Ying from behind.

“Y-you stupid- foolish- whatever!” Wen Qing sobbed. Better me than Wei Ying, as this was his place, you thought.

“Better me than you guys,” You said.

—

After being scolded and lectured with the promise of being hut-arrested to heal. Your group went on to discuss the next topic, the future.

“I think we should change our last name,” You suggested. “It would be good to separate ourselves from Wen to something else,”

“To what though?” Wen Qing asked. You gave a shit-eating grin and looked at Wei Ying.

“To Wei!” You cheerfully suggested.

“Huh!?” Wei Ying flinched in surprise, which meant jostling you as Wei Ying moved to your left, throwing an arm around your shoulder. Lan Zhan is still holding your right hand and channeling his spiritual energy.

“You did a lot for my family, Wei Ying, and I would be more than happy if we could become family,” You said.

“I don’t refute that,” Wen Qing commented.

“I would like that as well,” Wen Ning added.

“Ah, but then there are the more bloodthirsty cultivators. We probably need a clan to back us up,” You looked at Wei Ying and then at Lan Zhan. “Since Wei Ying is here and given that Jiang Cheng doesn’t like me..” You trailed off and the others got what you meant, Yunmeng Jiang is a no-go. “Lan Zhan, do you think you could convince your family?”

“...hm, I will make sure,” Lan Zhan replied.

“Don’t stick your head out for us too much, Lan Zhan. I do not want you to be in trouble,” You added.

“I want you to be safe,” Lan Zhan said.

“Thank you,” You had a dumb thought and since you were still very drained, you voiced it “Eheheh I had a dumb thought, even if we became Yiling Wei, Wei Ying is considered a traitor to the Jiang, and I don’t know, what if Wei Ying and I married Lan Zhan,” However Lan Zhan stared thoughtfully at you and Wei Ying. “Lan Zhan?”

—

“Huh,” Somehow, you are in Jingshi which has been decorated in vibrant reds. You too are decorated in vibrant reds, in the bridal wedding robes red. Wei Ying is also sitting next to you, in bridal wedding robes, on the bed decorated in red. In the Jingshi which has been decorated in red for a wedding couple, technically throuple in this situation.

“You alright Shen Duzhe?” Jiang Yanli asked, giggling, after hiding Wei Ying’s shoes. Since you were to be married to Lan Zhan and Wei Ying, you decided to change your last name to Shen instead of Wei like all your other relatives.

“...No,” You replied.

“This was your idea,” Wei Qing said after hiding your shoes.

“I, I was joking,” You whined. Wei Qing was about to respond but heard a disciple announcing that Lan Zhan was coming soon.

“Your groom is coming soon, time for us to go,” Wei Qing and Jiang Yanli quickly left.

“Wei Ying, how the fuck did we get here?” You asked.

“It surprised me, too. After our meeting, that fuddy-duddy went and got permission for marriage, to me and you,” Wei Ying replied.

“I expected Lan Zhan to marry you, but me too?” You questioned.

“Huh? Me? Why not you? I thought he would marry you,” Wei Ying replied.

“Well, even though Lan Zhan does get annoyed with you, there is a look of fondness in his eyes towards you from what I observed,” You explained.

“Huh? When we go night hunting together, he sticks to you constantly,” Wei Ying said.

“What? We are not supposed to go by ourselves, though?” You questioned. You and Wei Ying stared at each other, probably. Your red veil and his red veil are hiding your face from each other. Wei Ying lifted his veil to show his face then he lifted your veil to see your face.

“Shen Duzhe, what do you feel about Lan Zhan and what do you feel about me? After all, I’m married as the main wife and Lan-furen but you married as just a consort,” Wei Ying asked.

“I…” You pondered and thought deeply about your feelings. “I do like you and Lan Zhan, but you and Lan Zhan are destined to be together. I don’t know why I’m here,”

“...I want to sleep with Lan Zhan and you,” Wei Ying stated.

“Huh!?” If your cheeks were any thinner, you might have blushed. Wei Ying made direct eye contact with you and he can tell you are flustered. The door to Jingshi opened and Wei Ying put back his veil and your veil as well. Lan Zhan was quick to find Wei Ying’s shoes and your shoes. Lan Zhan left Wei Ying’s and your shoes by the bed.

“Wei Ying, Shen Duzhe,” Lan Zhan called.

“Lan Zhan-er-gege~” Wei Ying replied.

“Ugh,” You replied in embarrassment. You begin to grow even more flustered, as now is the consummation. You internally questioned if you really were going to have a threesome. Lan Zhan stepped closer to you and Wei Ying. Taking off your veil and Wei Ying’s veil, you stared at Lan Zhan’s face, blue screening.

“Shen Duzhe,” Lan Zhan called. He was standing between your legs, holding you in his arms. You felt Wei Ying move to sit as close as possible to you, side-hugging you and laying his head on your shoulder. Your mind is too empty to think. Wei Ying chuckled near your ears and you shivered as his breath hit your ear. Lan Zhan moved his face close to yours but he ended up kissing Wei Wing over your shoulder. WangXian is kissing over your shoulder while they are hugging you.

“I think A-Duzhe needs a moment, how about you play with this wife first~“

[4] Like how xiongjie probably means “older siblings” 弟妹 dimei would probably mean “younger siblings”

AAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

I have not reached at any point, till now, of writing about kissing in any fanfiction

Next stop, ending Two Threaded Fate aka angst ending