蟬 (chán) - Cicada — an insect known for its loud & symbolizes rebirth, immortality, and the transient nature of
蟬 · chán
Cicada — an insect known for its loud buzzing sound produced by males;
symbolizes rebirth, immortality, and the transient nature of life in Chinese culture.
Cicada — an insect known for its loudsymbolizes rebirth, immortality, and the transient nature of
Usage highlights
Cicada chirpingCicada shellGolden cicadaCicada wingsAutumn cicadaCicada noise
Synonyms
- 知了— Cicada (common name, onomatopoeic)
Usage & contexts
Examples
- The cicada's chirping fills the summer air (蝉鸣).
- Cicada shells are used in traditional medicine (蝉蜕).
- The golden cicada shedding its shell is a classic metaphor (金蝉脱壳).
- Cicada-wing thin silk fabric (蝉翼纱).
Collocations
- Cicada chirping(蝉鸣)
- Cicada shell(蝉蜕)
- Golden cicada(金蝉)
- Cicada wings(蝉翼)
- Autumn cicada(秋蝉)
- Cicada noise(蝉噪)
Idioms
- The golden cicada sheds its shell (金蝉脱壳) — escape by cunning maneuver
- Like a cicada clinging to frozen tree (噤若寒蝉) — keep quiet out of fear
- Cicada wings and cicada gauze (蝉翼蝉纱) — something extremely thin and delicate
- The cicada does not know snow (蝉不知雪) — limited knowledge or experience
Cultural background
FAQ- In Chinese culture, cicadas symbolize resurrection and eternal life because they emerge from the ground after years of development.
- Ancient Chinese often placed jade cicadas in the mouths of the deceased to ensure immortality.
- Cicadas represent purity and nobility because they only drink dew, untouched by worldly impurities.
- The cicada's life cycle is often used in poetry and literature to represent the fleeting nature of existence.