The figurative meaning of orpiment

The metaphorical meaning of orpiment refers to the act of arbitrarily changing, reversing black and white or making rash remarks.

The metaphor of orpiment originated from the correction technology of ancient calligraphy and painting in China. Orpiment is a yellow mineral pigment, which can be used to make pigments, fading agents, etc., and is often used to correct typos or defects. In ancient times, it was often used to alter words, so it was called tampering with words, and it was judged as unbridled orpiment, or casually called loose orpiment. Therefore, when people use orpiment as a metaphor for a certain behavior, it usually means that this behavior is similar to arbitrarily altering paintings and calligraphy, lacking seriousness and accuracy.

The figurative meaning of orpiment is still widely used in modern Chinese. People often use orpiment to describe the behavior of someone or an organization to change the facts at will, distort the facts or make rash remarks. This kind of behavior often leads to information confusion, misleading the public and even causing adverse social impact. Therefore, the metaphorical meaning of orpiment has a certain derogatory color, suggesting that this behavior is irresponsible and imprecise.

The origin of metaphor:

1. Life experience: Metaphor often comes from people's life experience and observation. By comparing two or more seemingly different things, people can find their similarities and express them through image language. This metaphor can make the language more vivid, interesting and imaginative.

2. Cultural tradition: Many metaphors come from cultural traditions and historical and cultural backgrounds. Some classic literary works, fairy tales and folklore all provide rich materials for metaphor. These metaphors have been handed down from generation to generation and become an important part of language and culture.

3. Rhetoric: Metaphor, as a common rhetorical device, makes the language more vivid, appealing and persuasive through comparison, symbolism and suggestion. The use of rhetorical devices can enrich the expression level of language and enhance the artistic effect of language.

4. Innovative thinking: In the process of communication, people often use innovative thinking to create new metaphors. These metaphors often have unique images and meanings, which can vividly express some views, feelings or experiences. The application of innovative thinking makes metaphor constantly glow with new vitality, enriching and developing language and culture.