Mandarin Ducks鸳鸯

肖雅琪

Mandarin ducks are the special symbol of love andmarriage2 in South East Asia， especially in China，Japan and South Korea.

The notion3 that Mandarin ducks symbolize loveand marriage dates back many centuries.

Pairs of Mandarin ducks are often seen swimmingclose together. It is told the Mandarin ducks stay faithful4 to their mates5 throughout their lifetime.

These Mandarin ducks are very peaceful. They get along without fighting andlive in perfect harmony. Their love for each other is so deep that if one of themdies or disappears， the other left behind will be devastated6. Without his/her matethe remaining Mandarin duck will have no will power to live anymore and death issoon inevitable.

A well-known Chinese saying“two Mandarin ducks playing in water”means“aloving couple”.

为什么鸳鸯象征爱情

在东南亚，尤其是在中国、日本和韩国，鸳鸯是爱情和婚姻的特殊象征。

鸳鸯象征爱情和婚姻的观念可以追溯到几个世纪以前。

人们经常看到成对的鸳鸯在一起游泳。据说鸳鸯一生都忠于配偶。

这些鸳鸯非常安静。它们没有争吵，相处得很融洽。它们对彼此的爱如此之深，以至于如果其中一只死亡或消失，留下的另一只将伤心欲绝。没有配偶，剩下的鸳鸯将不再有生存下去的意志力，死亡很快就不可避免。

中国一个著名的说法“鸳鸯戏水”的意思是“一对恩爱的夫妻”。

A gift filled with love

Images8 of Mandarin ducks are very common on weddingcards. They are also used on greeting cards of all kinds toexpress love and best wishes. Many believe that putting theseMandarin ducks in your home will help protect the relationshipbetween partners.

Mandarin duck figurines9 or paintings are always favoritewedding gifts. They are the surest way to express your bestwishes to a happy couple.

充满爱的礼物

鸳鸯的形象在婚礼卡片上很常见。它们也被用在各种贺卡上，以表达爱和美好的祝福。许多人认为，把这些鸳鸯放在家里将有助于保护伴侣之间的关系。

鸳鸯的雕像或画作常常是最受欢迎的结婚礼物。它们是向一对幸福夫妇表达你最美好祝愿的最可靠的方式。

Notes

1. symbolize. 象征

2. marriage. 结婚；婚姻

3. notion. 概念；想法

4. faithful. 忠誠的；忠贞的

5. mate . 配偶；伴侣

6. devastate. 毁坏；破坏；使伤心欲绝

7. inevitable . 必然发生的

8. image .形象