Tang Dien Thuong Hai

The Vietnamese Dictionary of Words and Phrases (by Professor Nguyen Lan) explains: “The phrase 'Thuong hai tang dia' (Chinese: tang: mulberry tree; dien: field; thuong: green; hai: sea - originating from the idea that sometimes a mulberry field can turn into a blue sea). Unforeseen changes in life <> Do not be discouraged by the vicissitudes of life.”

The book "Dictionary of Vietnamese Idioms and Proverbs" (by Professor Nguyen Lan) offers a similar explanation: "Thuong hai tang dien (literally: mulberry field turning into a sea, stemming from the idea that sometimes a mulberry field can turn into a sea and vice versa) means: Changes in life are unpredictable."

However, the explanations in these two dictionaries contain some inaccuracies.

1. It doesn't "originate from the idea that sometimes...", but rather its literal meaning is derived from the phenomenon of changes in topography and geomorphology in nature. Specifically, mulberry trees are grown in alluvial soil. The phenomenon of sedimentation or erosion caused by the flow of rivers and seas can transform land that was once dry land into water or sea; or conversely, the sea can recede, giving way to alluvial plains, green mulberry trees, and fertile land.

The history of the formation of many landmasses (especially coastal areas) shows that they were once seas. From this natural phenomenon, the ancient Chinese believed that every tens of thousands of years a change occurs: the blue sea turns into mulberry fields, and then tens of thousands of years later the mulberry fields turn back into the blue sea. That is the basis of the literal meaning.

2. Both the Vietnamese Dictionary of Words and Phrases and the Dictionary of Vietnamese Idioms and Proverbs (compiled by Professor Nguyen Lan) explain "Thuong hai tang dia" as "Unforeseen changes in life," which is incorrect. It should accurately mean the ups and downs, the major changes in life.

In the Tale of the Immortals, the story of Ma Gu (神仙傳‧麻姑) contains the following passage: “Ma Gu said: ‘Since I began serving here, I have seen the East Sea transform into mulberry fields three times. This time, upon arriving at Penglai, the water is only about half as shallow as it was the last time. Could it be that it is about to turn into dry land again?’”

Later, the idiom "the sea turning into a field" came to be used as a metaphor for the great changes in the world.

In the story of Tu Thuc marrying a fairy, the wedding feast is held in Giao Quang pavilion, in Phu Lai cave. The fairy, wearing a silk dress, says: "We have wandered in this region for nearly eighty thousand years, and the southern sea has changed three times."

The "change" here refers to the vicissitudes of life (Having gone through a period of upheaval, the things I have seen have caused me great pain - Kieu). According to this, a major change is completely different from "unforeseen changes in life."

Therefore, the Chinese idiom "Chang hai tang tian" (Seabed turning into mulberry fields) should be understood concisely and accurately as: The beach transforms into a mulberry field; used to symbolize a great change in life.

Hoang Trinh Son (Contributor)

Source: https://baothanhhoa.vn/tang-dien-thuong-hai-270433.htm