Wish you to be a pair of bi3 yi4 bird!

Welcome to the new edition of mandarin Chinese for children. This is your lovely Chinese teacher Linda. Sometimes as you attended a Chinese wedding hosted by Chinese people, the host of the wedding usually says such a kind of famous poem with a big smile on the face:

Chinese character: 在天愿作比翼鸟, 在地愿为连理枝.

Chinese pinyin:   Zai4 tian1 yuan4 zuo4 bi3 yi4 niao3, zai4 di4 yuan4 wei2 lian2 li3 zhi1.

English: That we wished to fly to heaven, birds with the wings of one. And to grow to two together on the earth, branches of one tree.

You may want to ask: Wow! What is this meaning? I think I have to learn mandarin online to find the answer. Chinese language is so beautiful but too puzzling! Why does he say this on wedding? As you can see in English, this famous poem aims at expressing a good wish to the new couple on the wedding. Here, in our Chinese culture lessons online, our Chinese teacher will explain what the meaning of bi3 yi4 bird, how to use this blessing poem, and why it is so popular in China.

Literally, bi3 yi4 niao4 can be written as 比翼鸟, which has its own meaning of each word. Firstly, the word bi3 means “a pair of” in English. Then, the word Yi4 refers to the wings of any flying animals in nature. Finally, the word niao3 represents birds broadly. It is a bit difficult to write the word 翼（yi4）, and Chinese learners need to learn Chinese online to practice more.

According to Chinese culture and history, bi3 yi4 niao3 had another name that is called jian1 jian1 or man2 man2. It was a noble bird that it was recorded in Chinese Han ethnic group in ancient romance. To your surprise, this couple of bird was characterized by one eye and one wing on their bodies and the male and female bird always flied together with their wings paralyzing on a same level. It looked like that they are all together without separation, just as a new couple with full happiness in the world.

Because of the special features of the birds, the wise ancient Chinese people develop the meaning of bi3 yi4 niao3 in their lives. For one thing, people use bi3 yi4 niao3 to describe a couple whose relation is always sweet. And people can also express their blessings to a new couple by saying it to them. For another thing, the phrase bi3 yi4 niao3 can be compared to the friends who are in deep relationship and never separate with each other.

Dear friends, the best way to learn Chinese online is to read more Chinese folklores.  Is today’s Chinese culture and language lesson interesting and helpful? Have you understood its meaning? If you had a girl friend now, we wish you to be a couple of happy and everlasting bi3 yi4 bird! 

 Source: 

http://chinesegrasper.page.tl/Wish-you-to-be-a-pair-of-bi3-yi4-bird-ar-.htm