六月飛霜

Chinese

June; sixth month of the Chinese calendar to fly frost
trad. (六月飛霜) 六月
simp. (六月飞霜) 六月
Literally: “snow in sixth month of the Chinese calendar (mid-Summer)”.

Etymology

From a legend related to Zou Yan, which was believed to be from Huainanzi:

鄒衍燕惠王盡忠左右仰天五月 [Classical Chinese, trad.]
邹衍燕惠王尽忠左右仰天五月 [Classical Chinese, simp.]
From: Xu Jian, Zhang Yue, Wei Shu; Chu Xue Ji (《初學記》), c. 7th Century
Zōu Yǎn shì Yàn Huìwáng jìnzhōng, zuǒyòu zàn zhī; wáng xì zhī, yǎngtiān ér kū. Xià wǔyuè, tiān wèi zhī xià shuāng. [Pinyin]
Zou Yan was very loyal to the King Hui of Yan, he was praised by the King's ministers. But the King imprisoned him, Zou cried his heart out. In Summer when it was the fifth month (approximately June to July in the Gregorian calendar), the Heaven snowed for him.

Later popularized through the play The Injustice to Dou E in Yuan dynasty.

Pronunciation


Idiom

六月飛霜

  1. to have injustice
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