“Mendang Hudui”: Interesting Words and Expressions

There are many interesting words and expressions in Chinese.Why,for example,is attaining a certain degree of knowledge called “Dengtang Rushi”? Why is a tutor is called “Xixi”,and son-in-law called “Dongchuang”? What does it mean by looking for a partner in marriage who should be “Mendang Hudui”? Among them,“Tang,Shi,Xi,Chuang,Men,Hu” are related to the traditional houses.

In the phrase “Dengtang Rushi” or “Shengtang Rushi”,“Tang” refers to the hall,“Shi” refers to the inner chamber.“Shengtang” is compared to just starting to learn,“Rushi” is compared to attaining a higher realm.Here’s a story: Zi Lu,a valorous student of Confucius,was good at playing musical instruments.One day he played the Guse in the house of Confucius,and the latter,who advocated “benevolence”,found that the music was filled with the emotion of slaughter and did not sound gentle,so he issued a reprimand.Hearing that,the other students assumed the teacher was unhappy with Zi Lu’s musical performance and talked of him behind his back.Upon noticing that,Confucius explained: “You have passed through the hall,but not into the inner chamber.” “You” is the name of Zi Lu.That means Zi Lu has learned the rudiments of music,but has not yet reached a higher level.Upon hearing that,the disciples changed their attitude to Zi Lu.Later,people used “passing through the hall into the inner chamber” (“Dengtang Rushi” or “Rushi Shengtang”) to refer to the different levels of learning.Still later,this idiom was used to praise a person having reached a higher level in the study of knowledge or technology.

“Mendang Hudui”: Interesting Words and Expressions

Calling teacher “Xixi” (“Western Seat”) is associated with the Han Emperor Liu Zhuang (28-75).When he was the crown prince,Liu Zhuang took Huan Rong (? - about 59) as his teacher and showed him particular respect.After ascending to the throne,Liu Zhuang continued to treat the teacher just the same.Every time he went to visit the teacher,he asked the teacher to sit on the seat facing east,respectfully prepared the console table for him,and then listened to his lecture.He paid a visit to the teacher when he was sick,and attended the burial ceremony when he died.Because the emperor asked the teacher to sit in the western seat facing east to express his respect,people called the tutor Western Seat,and then all the teachers were called this.

“Dongchuang” (“Eastern Bed”) is to respectfully address the sons-in-law of others.There is also a story about this.According to legend,in the Jin Dynasty (265-420),Taifu Xi Jian (269-339) had an intention to marry his daughter into the Wang family as he heard that Prime Minister Wang’s sons and nephews were all endowed with both beauty and talent.The proposal met with approval and Wang said he could choose whoever he wanted from the sons and nephews who had stayed in the eastern wing.In the hope of being selected to be the Xi’s son-in-law,Wang’s sons and nephews all dressed up,except one who seemed not care at all,and lay in bed baring his chest and exposing stomach.After hearing the report about the situation of each candidate,Xi Jian unexpectedly selected this young man,believing he had a gentlemanly manner and would have a promising future.This turned out to be Wang Xizhi (303-361),later known to the world for his calligraphy.From then on,“Eastern Bed” was used to respectfully address the sons-in-law of others.

Why did Xi Jian want to become related through marriage with the Wangs? The excellence of Wang’s children is one of the reasons,but more important was the strong concept of family status in the Jin Dynasty.Since the Wangs were an old and well-known family,it could be said that the Wang and the Xi were “Mendang Hudui” (fairly well matched).

“Mendang Hudui” means that the families of the bride and bridegroom are of equal status and have the same economic strength.This concept of family status still exists in China.In fact,Mendang and Hudui were originally a part of the door of the traditional house.The door was as important as the face,symbolizing the identity and status of the house owner.Therefore,people were very particular about decoration of the door.

Mendang referred to a drum-shaped stone block in front of the door,on which lions (nine generations living under one roof),deer (same pronunciation with prosperity in Chinese),bat (same pronunciation with blessing in Chinese) and so on were carved,implying auspiciousness and happiness.Since a house generally had two doors,the Mendang should be in pairs accordingly.Hudui referred to the brick and wood carvings on the lintel or on its sides.The house that had Mendang in front of its door was bound to have Hudui,so Mendang and Hudui were usually called collectively.The size of Mendang and the quantity of Hudui symbolized the house owner’s wealth and power,therefore,Mendang and Hudui could not only get rid of ghosts and protect the family,but also acted as an important symbol of the house owner’s identity and status.Later,Mendang Hudui became a condition for a marriage,and the families of the bride and bridegroom of different status would be called Menbudang Hubudui.