Interesting Green: 古典美女 (gǔ diǎn měi nǚ) - Classical Beauty

Source website: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Four_Beauties Four Beauties From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Chinese: 四大美女 (Mandarin - Hanyu Pinyin: sì dà měi nǚ)

PHOTO: 昭君落雁 (zhāo jūn luò yàn) - Wang Zhaojun drops birds http://a10.idata.over-blog.com/0/42/84/39/album/DerJen_WangZhaoJun.jpg http://ame-vietnamienne.over-blog.com/article-30329761.html 沉魚落雁, 閉月羞花 (chén yú luò yàn, bì yuè xiū huā)

"Sinks fishes, grounded geese, Closed the Moon, Shamed the Flowers" which is used to compliment someone's beauty. Only someone as beautiful as the four great beauties is capable to cause such rare occurrences.

The Four Beauties or Four Great Beauties are four ancient Chinese women, renowned for their beauty. Three of these women were genuine historical figures, but the scarcity of historical records concerning them meant that much of what is known of them today has been greatly embellished (decorated and beautify) by legend.

PHOTO: Chinese 4 Beauties by *Tigermyuou 沉魚落雁, 閉月羞花 (pinyin; chén yú luò yàn, bì yuè xiū huā), which is used to compliment someone's beauty. Traditional Art / Paintings / Illustration / Storybook http://fc08.deviantart.net/fs26/f/2008/114/b/2/Chinese_4_Beauties_by_Tigermyuou.jpg http://tigermyuou.deviantart.com/art/Chinese-4-Beauties-83679099

They gained their reputation from the influence they exercised over kings and emperors and consequently, the way their actions impacted Chinese history.

Three of the Four Great Beauties brought kingdoms to their knees, and the lives of all four ended in tragedy or under mysterious circumstances.

The Four Great Beauties lived in four different dynasties, each hundreds of years apart. In chronological order, they are

1. Xi Shi (西施 pinyin: xī shī), the most beautiful women of Chinese history.

PHOTO: 西施沉魚 (xī shī chén yú) - Xi Shi sinks fish

A statue of Xi Shi, one of the legendary Four Beauties of Ancient China, is seen in a museum in Zhuji County, East China's Zhejiang Province, November 23, 2006. Xi Shi was said to have lived during the end of Spring and Autumn Period (770-476 B.C) in Zhuji. She was said to be so beautiful that she caused the fish to sink in shame while laundering her garments in the river. [Wang Jianying/www.zjol.com.cn]

http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2006-11/27/xin_0211032710225552164927.jpg http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2006-11/27/content_743534.htm

PHOTO: THE LEGEND OF XI SHI

Xi Shi's beauty was said to be so extreme that while leaning over a balcony to look at the fish in the pond, the fish would be so dazzled that they forgot to swim and gradually sunk away from the surface. This description serves as the first two characters of the Chinese idiom 沉魚落雁, 閉月羞花 (pinyin; chényú luòyàn, bìyuè xiūhuā), which is used to compliment someone's beauty.

http://www.chinavisitorcenter.com/images/XiShiPicture.jpg http://www.chinavisitorcenter.com/XiShi.html http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xi_Shi

PHOTO: Xi Shi (The late Spring and Autumn) (西施 pinyin: xī shī)

Par with Wang Zhaojun, Diao Chan, Yang Yuhuan, called the Four Beauties of ancient China. They are highly regarded for their beauty. Legend has it, in fact, they are ancient China's four most beautiful women, and among the nation's most significant historical figures. The four beautiful women enjoyed the “flowers, moon and beautiful appearances".

http://cf.blogetery.com/183552/files/2010/11/4.jpg http://vivian0203.blogetery.com/ http://history.cultural-china.com/en/48H8645H13173.html

2. Wang Jaojun (王昭君 pinyin: Wáng Zhāojūn) was the second most beautiful Lady of Chinese History.

PHOTO: Beauty Wang Zhaojun (王昭君 pinyin: Wáng Zhāojūn) by *Tigermyuou, Digital Art / Paintings & Airbrushing / Illustrations / Storybook http://fc01.deviantart.net/fs71/f/2010/328/3/d/4_beauty_wang_zhaojun_by_tigermyuou-d33jh9x.jpg http://tigermyuou.deviantart.com/art/4-Beauty-Wang-Zhaojun-187346229

PHOTO: Wang Zhaojun: Grounding the Geese

According to legend, Wang felt sad while leaving her homeland. She played melancholic music on the qin, a stringed instrument, while riding a horse. A flock of geese, flying overhead, forgot how to fly—after seeing the beautiful, but distraught, woman playing the sad music—and plummeted to the ground.

http://www.study-in-china.org/UploadFiles/2010111902213335607.jpg http://www.study-in-china.org/ChinaEducation/NewsOpinion/20101119239547646.htm

PHOTO: Chinese Historical Figure Wang Zhaojun http://www.periboutique.com/popup_image.php?type=D&id=16568&title=&page=2 http://www.periboutique.com/popup_image.php?type=D&id=16568

PHOTO: Chinese Historical Figure Wang Zhaojun http://www.periboutique.com/images/D/01041304-3.jpg http://www.periboutique.com/popup_image.php?type=D&id=16568&title=&page=3 http://www.periboutique.com/popup_image.php?type=D&id=16568

PHOTO: Wang Jaojun (王昭君 pinyin: Wáng Zhāojūn) http://i635.photobucket.com/albums/uu74/angel_lovedevil/WangZhaoJunVuongChieuQuan.jpg http://www.sinhviennganhang.com/diendan/showthread.php?p=203469

3. Diao Chan (貂嬋 pinyin: diāo chán) has no historical accounts. But she is true beauty of Chinese Fiction.

Many people know her as the most beautiful character in "The Romance of the Three Kingdoms" or "Dynasty Warriors" by Luo Guanzhong.

PHOTO: 貂嬋閉月(diāo chán bì yuè) - Diaochan closes the moon or Diao Chan - Forcing the Moon to Hide

Diao Chan resided with the family of Wang Yun, who was an official. One night, Diao was in the garden, praying to the full moon. Suddenly, a cloud floated by and blocked the moon's glow. Wang Yun witnessed the event, and he told others, "Diao Chan is more beautiful than the full moon. The moon felt shame and hid behind the cloud."

http://a34.idata.over-blog.com/0/42/84/39/album/DerJen_Diaochan.jpg http://ame-vietnamienne.over-blog.com/article-30329761.html http://www.study-in-china.org/ChinaEducation/NewsOpinion/20101119239547646.htm

PHOTO: 貂嬋 (pinyin: diāo chán) - Diao Chan http://razrig.files.wordpress.com/2010/09/img_9042.jpg http://razrig.wordpress.com/2010/09/08/diao-chan-solo-shoot/

PHOTO: 貂嬋 (pinyin: diāo chán) - Diao Chan http://razrig.files.wordpress.com/2010/09/img_9032.jpg http://razrig.wordpress.com/2010/09/08/diao-chan-solo-shoot/

PHOTO: 貂嬋 (pinyin: diāo chán) - Diao Chan by ~MsMiyavi Digital Art / Paintings & Airbrushing / Fantasy

Diaochan is said to be the daughter of Ren Ang (任昂), and her real name is Ren Hongchang (任紅昌). She is in charge of taking care of the Sable Cicada Hat (貂蟬冠), and is hence known as "Diaochan" ("Diaochan" translates to "Sable Cicada").

http://fc09.deviantart.net/fs18/i/2007/225/e/8/Diao_Chan_by_MsMiyavi.jpg http://msmiyavi.deviantart.com/art/Diao-Chan-61232904 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diaochan

Diao Chan Graphics & Diao Chan Pictures

PHOTO: Diao Chan http://i189.photobucket.com/albums/z268/phupham_2007/DiaoChan.jpg http://www.blingcheese.com/image/code/74/diao+chan.htm

Diao Chan 2 Graphics & Diao Chan Pictures

PHOTO: Diao Chan II http://i189.photobucket.com/albums/z268/phupham_2007/DiaoChanII.jpg http://www.blingcheese.com/image/code/75/diao+chan.htm

4. Yang Guifei (楊貴妃; pinyin: Yáng Guìfēi), of Tang Dynasty, is said to have a face that puts all flowers to shame. She is consort (spouse of royalty) Yang Yuhuan (杨玉环; pinyin: Yáng Yùhuán).

PHOTO: 楊貴妃 (pinyin: Yáng Guìfēi) Yang Guifei, Yang Kwei Fei or 杨玉环 (pinyin: Yáng Yùhuán) Yang Yuhuan http://www.viajarporchina.com/UploadFiles/Yang%20Guifei%281%29.jpg http://www.viajarporchina.com/Guia-xian/Concubina-imperial-rango-Yang-1922.html

PHOTO: Statue of Yang GuiFei, one of ancient Chinese beauties who used to bathe here. http://photos.worldisround.com/photos/4/115/386_o.jpg http://www.worldisround.com/articles/58811/photo4.html

PHOTO: Statue of Yang Guifei bathing in Huaqing Pool, near Xi'an. http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e8/Hua-Qing-Chi-Yang-Gui-Fei.jpg http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yang_Guifei

PHOTO: 貴妃羞花 (guì fēi xiū huā) Yang Guifei , Yang YuHuan shames flowers

One day, as legend has it, Yang walked through the garden and, attracted by the beauty of the flowers, she touched one of the plants. That caused the flower's petals and leaves to curl. One of the maids witnessed the event, and she told everyone the flower had bowed its head in shame after having seen Yang's beautiful face.

Yang had touched a mimosa flower.

http://a31.idata.over-blog.com/0/42/84/39/album/DerJen_YangYuHuan.jpg http://ame-vietnamienne.over-blog.com/article-30329761.html http://www.study-in-china.org/ChinaEducation/NewsOpinion/20101119239547646.htm Other Beauties .......

PHOTO: 古典美女迷人后背(1) (gǔ diǎn měi nǚ mí rén hòu bèi) - Classic beauty charming back (1) http://image.wangchao.net.cn/mm/1257335861924.jpg http://www.wangchao.net.cn/mmdetail_13656.html

PHOTO: 古典美女迷人后背(1) (gǔ diǎn měi nǚ mí rén hòu bèi) - Classic beauty charming back (1) http://image.wangchao.net.cn/mm/1257335862524.jpg http://www.wangchao.net.cn/mmdetail_13656.html

PHOTO: 古典美女迷人后背(1) (gǔ diǎn měi nǚ mí rén hòu bèi) - Classic beauty charming back (1) http://image.wangchao.net.cn/mm/1257335862976.jpg http://www.wangchao.net.cn/mmdetail_13656.html

PHOTO: 古典美女诱惑图片[摄影图,JPG] (gǔ diǎn měi nǚ yòu huò tú piàn) [shè yǐng tú] - Enticing Classic beauty Photo

http://pic4.nipic.com/20090728/2469375_151030001_2.jpg http://www.nipic.com/show/1/14/a75fa49ad74e28b5.html

PHOTO: 古装美女图片[摄影图,JPG] (gǔ zhuāng měi nǚ tú piàn) [shè yǐng tú] - Ancient Costume Classic beauty Photo http://pic3.nipic.com/20090710/2469375_143733096_2.jpg http://www.nipic.com/show/1/14/bc0b9d401ea241af.html

PHOTO: 弹琴美女图片[摄影图,JPG] (tán qín měi nǚ tú piàn) [shè yǐng tú] - Paino playing Classic beauty Photo http://pic3.nipic.com/20090710/2469375_144326064_2.jpg http://www.nipic.com/show/1/14/5b9b985e22240a1a.html

PHOTO: 古典美女图片[摄影图,JPG] (gǔ diǎn měi nǚ tú piàn) [shè yǐng tú] - Classic beauty Photo http://pic3.nipic.com/20090708/2469375_134643022_2.jpg http://www.nipic.com/show/1/14/63edb5de66c917b7.html

PHOTO: 古典微笑美女图片[摄影图,JPG] (gǔ diǎn wēi xiào měi nǚ tú piàn) [shè yǐng tú] - Classic similing beauty Photo http://pic4.nipic.com/20090728/2469375_144554059_2.jpg http://www.nipic.com/show/1/14/5d6ae81141373f80.html

PHOTO: 古装弹琴美女图片[摄影图,JPG] (gǔ zhuāng tán qín měi nǚ tú piàn) [shè yǐng tú] - Classic beauty wearing ancient costume playing the piano photo

http://pic3.nipic.com/20090710/2469375_144553007_2.jpg http://www.nipic.com/show/1/14/8b2a1b9ec62d04f7.html

PHOTO: 古典美女人体艺术图片[摄影图,JPG] (gǔ diǎn měi nǚ rén tǐ yì shù tú piàn) [shè yǐng tú] - Classic beauty body art picture http://pic4.nipic.com/20090728/2469375_145335009_2.jpg http://www.nipic.com/show/1/14/14b224a4da6378bb.html