Verse 17-Analects of Confucius Chapter 5

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Verse 17 of Analects of Confucius Chapter 5

English: Confucius said:"Zang Wen Zhong⁽¹⁾ kept a 'Cai' in a house whose arches has landscape scenery and beams with seaweed pattern carved into it. What can be said of his wisdom?"

Modern: 孔子说：“臧文仲^(一)收藏蔡这种大龟的房子，里头有山形斗栱，藻纹梁柱；他还算聪明？”

Original: 子曰：“臧文仲居蔡，山节藻棁，何如其知也。”

Explanation: The 'Cai' here is refering to a tortoise that originate from Cai(蔡)。 The tortoise is used for divination and was held in high esteem by Zang Wen Zhong that he fitted a house in a manner that is pleasing to the tortoise. But the fittings of landscape and seaweed motifs were a prerogative of the emperor for his temple during that time.

蔡是用来占卜的大龟。蔡国出产。臧文仲为了表示敬意，特别做一座房子来收藏此物。房子装饰以水底环境为蓝本。按礼仪制度，当时只有君主才可以用山峦海藻图案装饰庙宇。

Application:

Notes

• (1): An official of the State of Lu(鲁)
• (一): 鲁国官员。