What is a couplet

Couplets, also known as "couplets", are commonly known as pairs. It is a unique art form of Chinese language with simple words and deep meanings, neat and tidy counterparts, and harmonious levels and oblique tones. It can be said that the art of couplets is a cultural treasure of the Chinese nation. The types of couplets are divided into spring couplets, happy couplets, longevity couplets, elegiac couplets, decorative couplets, industry couplets, communicative couplets and miscellaneous couplets (including harmonic couplets ....) etc. Couplets vary in length, short only one or two words; long up to several hundred words. Couplets in various forms, there are positive, negative, running water, joint ball pair, set of sentences, and so on. But no matter what kind of couplets, using what form, but must have the following characteristics: First, the number of words is equal, the same sentence. In addition to intentionally empty the position of a word to achieve a certain effect, the number of words must be the same, no more, no less. Secondly, the level and oblique tones should be consistent and harmonized. The traditional custom is "oblique starting and ending", that is, the last word of the last sentence of the first couplet with oblique tone, the last word of the last sentence of the second couplet with flat tone. Thirdly, the words should be relative and in the same position. Generally known as "virtual to virtual, real to real", that is, nouns to nouns, verbs to verbs, adjectives to adjectives, quantifiers to quantifiers, adverbs to adverbs, and the relative words must be in the same position. Fourthly, the content should be related and the top and bottom should be connected. The meaning of the upper and lower couplets must be connected to each other, but not overlap. In addition, hanging couplets, the traditional method must also be written vertically, from right to left, from top to bottom, can not be reversed.

Horizontal approval (or horizontal forehead, horizontal file, banner, horizontal phi, etc.), is an important part of the couplet. Cross-approval that is, such as the title of the article, it can mark out a couplet of the theme of thought, is the eye of the pen, is the icing on the cake. Generally speaking, the horizontal criticism for the coupling has a generalization, revealing, supplementing, explaining and other roles. From the scope of use, the most commonly used couplet is also the most primitive form, is hanging in the pillar (because it is also known as the pillar couplet). The upper and lower two couplings, together with the lintel of the cross-checks, will be the "door" of the situation. Symmetry is the most significant form of expression of the couplet, the beauty of Chinese architecture and the use of symmetry in this traditional form. Architecture and the structure of the couplet reflect each other, which is another reason to add a cross-check to the text. But it is not that, all couplets have horizontal, such as some of the door plaques can be made on behalf of the horizontal, the question of gifts, couplets (not suitable for hanging between the pillars), etc. can be omitted horizontal.

The current couplets, frankly speaking, about the classification of couplets, there is a lack of clear theoretical research, in many cases, the classification of couplets with a relatively obvious arbitrariness. Types of couplets often do not have a unified standard of division, the conceptual connotation of different types of couplets is often vague, different types of couplets often overlap with each other, and so on. It should be said that these phenomena are contrary to the basic requirements of scientific classification. In view of this, the author puts forward some of his own rough ideas, in order to throw a brick to attract jade.

The author believes that the classification of couplets, like any other classification, the need to clarify the issue is mainly two: one is to clarify the criteria for the classification of couplets; the second is that the classification under a certain criterion must be clear about the conceptual connotation of the different types of couplets and extensions, and try to avoid or minimize the extensions of the overlap between the cross and overlap.

The criteria for categorizing couplets can be of various kinds, as follows: First, according to the number of words in a couplet, it can be divided into long couplets and short couplets. The couplet that consists of more words on both the top and bottom is called the long couplet; the couplet that consists of less words on both the top and bottom is called the short couplet. There is no absolute boundary between long couplets and short couplets in terms of the number of words, and there are many different opinions in the couplet industry. Generally speaking, there are the following four types of representative views: the first type advocates that the whole couplet should be 16 or 22 words as the lower limit of the word count of the long couplet (e.g., Mr. Lu Weilian's words); the second type advocates that the whole couplet should be 30 or 40 words as the lower limit of the word count of the long couplet (e.g., Mr. Yu Dequan's words); the third type advocates that the whole couplet should be 60 or 70 words as the lower limit of the word count of the long couplet (e.g., Mr. Zhou Yanyuan Long's words); and the fourth type advocates that the whole couplet should be 90 or 100 words as the lower limit of the word count of the long couplet. The fourth group of opinions takes 90 or 100 words as the lower limit of the number of words in a long couplet (e.g., Mr. Chang Jiang's words). The reasons for this are that each of the above views has its own theory. Comparatively speaking, the author personally prefers 30 or 40 words, because this range seems to be close to people's vague feeling about long and short couplets. However, it can be said that no matter how many words are used to delineate long couplets and short couplets, it seems to be reluctant, especially when there is only a difference of one or a few words, which is even more rigid. In fact, long couplets and short couplets belong to the category of fuzzy concepts, there is no need and it is difficult to delineate the boundaries of the two in terms of the number of words. The same applies to other literary genres, such as long poems and short poems, for which I am afraid there is as yet no absolute boundary in terms of the number of lines. Therefore, in the selection of long couplets and short couplets, as long as there is some relatively reasonable unified standard, it may be possible to specify their own, self-contained.

The second is that according to the number of sentences in a couplet and the interrelationship between sentences, it can be divided into three kinds of couplets: single-sentence couplets, compound-sentence couplets, and sentence-group couplets. Both the upper and lower couplets are composed of a single sentence couplets, called single-sentence couplets; according to the length of the metrical literature sentence, single-sentence couplets are generally short couplets (according to the whole couplet more than 30 or 40 words for the long couplets). Couplets consisting of two or more clauses forming a compound sentence are called compound couplets; compound couplets are generally between long and short couplets. Couplets consisting of two or more clauses forming a sentence group (or paragraph) are called sentence group couplets (or paragraph couplets); sentence group couplets are generally long couplets. The significance of this division is that it is related to the arrangement of the foot of the sentence.

Thirdly, according to the metrical requirements and the degree of rigor of the couplets in terms of counterpoint, they can be divided into wide pairs, work pairs, skillful pairs, absolute and so on. The so-called wide pairs, that is, the requirements of the law is relatively loose or some variation, the battle is not too neat couplets or couplets; the so-called work pairs, also known as strict pairs, that is, the requirements of the law is more rigorous, the battle is stable couplets or couplets; the so-called skillful pairs, also known as the wonderful pairs, that is, the battle is quite clever and unique, or highlighting the use of some special techniques of the couplets or couplets (if at the same time, if the more stable, and also called the work of the skillful pairs); the so-called absolute, can also be called The so-called absolute, can also be called the absolute couplet, that is, the couplet or couplet that is very difficult to fight, or the couplet that is so natural that it is difficult to have any other couplet that can match or be comparable to the existing couplet. Of course, there is no clear-cut line between the broad pair, the work pair, the skillful pair, and the absolute.

Fourth, according to the content between the couplet correspondence, divided into positive, negative, running water pair. Most of the couplets between the upper and lower couples of the content of the correspondence belongs to the relationship between each other set off. This is either from the same point of view of each other, complement each other (the so-called "positive"), or from the opposite point of view of each other, against each other (the so-called "against"), in layman's terms, that is, the couplet is close to the intention, against the couplet is the opposite. Opposition is the opposite. There are also a small number of couplets between the contents of the couplet correspondence belongs to the relationship between each other (that is, the so-called "running water", or "string of pairs"), that is, the two clauses of the couplet *** with the same composition of a complex sentence, the couplet there is a kind of coherence, progression, choice, transition, cause and effect, hypothesis, condition, and the relationship between the two clauses of the couplet. The first two clauses of a compound sentence, there is a coherent, progressive, selective, transitive, causal, hypothetical, conditional, purpose and other complex relationships.

Fifth, according to the couplet writing techniques or rhetorical devices, can also be divided into embedded word, back to the text of the couplet, riddle couplet, set sentence couplet, hidden word couplet, rhyming couplet, etc. But strictly speaking, should be called embedded word couplet, but strictly speaking, should be called embedded word couplet. Strictly speaking, however, they should be called inlaid word frame, palindrome frame, riddle frame, set sentence frame, hidden word frame, rhyming frame and so on.

Sixth, according to the content and use of the couplet division. From a theoretical point of view, this division is even more difficult to strict and complete. But from a practical point of view, only this division is more meaningful, because it is closely related to the arrangement of the couplet style. The division of couplets refers mainly to this kind. Therefore, the author intends to put forward a little discussion on this classification. Generally speaking, couplets carry the nature of title or gift, and thus writing couplets is often called title couplets. According to the author, according to the different contents and objects of the couplets, they can be divided into nine categories: seasonal couplets, festive couplets, elegiac couplets, scenic couplets, industry couplets, gift couplets, miscellaneous feelings couplets, academic couplets, and interesting and skillful couplets. Among them, each category can be divided into a number of subcategories. The nine categories of couplets are briefly as follows:

1. Festive couplets: refers to a specific seasonal or commemorative, the content of most of the general aria, lyrical, argumentative, wishing couplets. Strictly speaking, it can be distinguished as a festival and seasonal couplets, but in view of the two are often united, this distinction has no practical significance. Generally can be directly divided into a number of subcategories of seasonal couplets such as spring couplets, New Year's Day couplets, National Day couplets and so on. In the seasonal couplets, the most important is the Spring Festival couplets. The so-called spring couplets are the seasonal couplets used in the Spring Festival. Most spring couplets can be generalized.

2. Festive couplets: also known as congratulatory couplets, refers to the celebration of festivals in addition to the content of a particular congratulatory nature of the couplets. According to its content and object, can be divided into a number of subcategories such as wedding, birthday, new home (housewarming). Celebration couplets are characterized by specific celebrations, congratulatory nature, its content must be expressed in good wishes, joy and good luck. There are general, there are also specialized. Whether general, to be different, not simply copied, so as to avoid the joke of Zhang Guan Li Dai.

3. Mourning elegiac couplets: also referred to as elegiac couplets, refers to the couplets used to condole with the deceased. Its content is limited to the deceased's condolences, remembrance, evaluation, wishes, its style is generally sad, solemn, deep, solemn. There are also for the survivor of the couplets or the survivor of the couplets made from the couplets, it is a different story. The elegiac couplets can be divided from a variety of angles, such as elegiac elderly couplets, elegiac middle-aged couplets, elegiac teenagers couplets, etc., or elegiac elders couplets, elegiac peers couplets, elegiac younger couplets and so on. In addition, it can also be divided into elegiac couplets for celebrities, self-elegiac couplets, and so on, and can also take the sacrificial couplets as a subcategory of elegiac couplets. The content of the couplet refers to a more specific object, although the same general and specialized, but in the practical more attention to the distinction.

4. Scenic spots: refers to the posting, hanging, carved in the scenic spots at the couplets. Most of its content for the inscription of the scenic landscape (such as landscape buildings, cultural relics and monuments, etc.), or closely related to it (related people, events, etc.). These couplets often become an important part of the scenic landscape or even history and culture. Famous landscape couplets can be divided into a number of subcategories such as landscape gardens, temples and temples, temples and pavilions, courtyards and halls, monuments and pagodas, tombs and grottoes, and so on, to name but a few.

5. Industry couplets: refers to its content for a particular industry, sector or field of the couplet. Because of the change of the times, the use of couplets in the industry has been less than before, but still considerable. From the point of view of its scope of application and content characteristics, it is still a great variety of couplets. Industry couplets can be divided into subcategories by industry and sector.

6. Gift Couplets: These are couplets that are given to others. Although many couplets with some kind of gift nature, but here said the gift of the couplets, limited to interpersonal relationships (or yearning) of the gift of the work, not including elegiac and congratulatory couplets and so on. Its content is generally with some kind of praise, wishes, exhortations. From the point of view of the use of couplets, the title of the gift of the couplet is not lost as a large variety. According to the subject of the different objects, the subject of gift couplets can generally be divided into the subject of elders, the subject of peer couplets, the subject of the late generation couplets and a number of subcategories.

7. Miscellaneous feelings: refers to no specific object, and the content of a wider range of couplets. This couplet is often characterized by a relatively simple literary creation, such as philosophical words and aspirations, aria and lyricism, persuasion and satire, etc..

8. Academic couplets: refers to the couplets with some academic nature. This academic nature refers to the content and use does not belong to the above categories of a professional nature. Its content is often more specialized, with a certain discipline or religious characteristics, such as science and technology, Buddhism, Taoism, and so on. In terms of the scope of use of couplets and the development of space, it is necessary to take the academic couplets as a separate major category. For example, the author of the book "Touching the Wonders Collection ---- Buddhist Couplets 1200 pairs of couplets" has written a scholarly monograph in the form of couplets of many Buddhist characters and Buddhist doctrine in a more systematic way. By extension, many scientific knowledge or other learned principles can also be written in the form of couplets and their academic or professional nature can be highlighted in the content.

9. Interesting and skillful couplets: refers to the more prominent fun or skill and relatively do not pay attention to the content of the couplets. Such as a variety of harmonies, skills and so on. The content of such couplets, either to highlight the uniqueness of a certain style (harmonic couplets), or relatively less important (skill couplets), thus appearing to be unique. In this sense, they can be treated as a separate major category.

Of course, there is no absolute boundary between the above nine categories of couplets. But in general, these nine categories of couplets are divided into types in a concise and clear manner, the concept is relatively clear in connotation, and basically cover all the couplets in extension, and basically do not overlap with each other. In the above classification of couplets, the author has a relatively rigorous definition of each type, and explains the intersection of different types and excludes them as much as possible. That is why it is said that they "do not overlap with each other".

These are my humble opinions, and I apologize for any inaccuracies!

From the reflection of the content and use of the occasion, the couplets can be divided into:

Spring Festival:

To get rid of the old and welcome the new, express ambition, full of pride, looking to the future as the main content, specifically in the New Year's Day, Spring Festival when the couplets pasted due to the timeliness of the strong, the people will be called the Spring Festival.

such as: a new year, a renewed image

Couplets:

In order to express some kind of desire or to meet the need for decoration, in the past, often in the official court, mansions, temples, gardens, pillars above, or carved with wooden boards, or in the wall of the stone carved couplings, collectively referred to as the couplings.

such as: in 1979, Hangzhou, "Yue Temple" restoration of the new, the famous contemporary lyricist and calligrapher Zhao Puchu, Yue Fei, "Full River Red" words, for the re-molded Yue Fei statue on both sides of the pillar, carefully written a ancient for the present day, the grandeur of a large new couplets: look forward to the meteorological Yew people's souls, like the ancestral temple, reopened! The old cypress, a thousand looking up // Wrap up the mountains and rivers to reward the shape of the will, look at this day in China, rise up the new course, ten thousand miles to drive a long car.

Wedding couplets:

Specialized in the day of the wedding ceremony to choose or write couplets that can express the warm atmosphere.

Such as: the flower is cleverly added to the color of the moon glad to meet the autumn night for the spring night

Emphatic couplets:

In order to evaluate the life performance of the deceased, express the sincere feelings of remembrance of the descendants, the memorial service or memorial meeting used in the couplets.

such as: mourning the memory of the beloved Premier Zhou an elegy: blood and labor dry revolutionary cause like the towering mountains shocked the world ashes scattered all over the Premier's kindness as drops of rain dew Run heart

Longevity couplets:

When the old man happy birthday, the children in order to express the blessing of the elders, often in order to prolong the life of the blessed full of the main content of the family, carefully written some auspicious words, or pasted in the door, or hung in the hall, so that the elderly can be used to express their love and respect, and to promote the development of the family. Or hanging in the hall, such couplets are called longevity couplets.

such as: blessed as the East China Sea wide Shoubi Nanshan Mountain high