S5E07 | Produced By The Gods
Saying: “the work of the Gods”
Pinyin: Shén Gōng Gǔi Fǔ
Chinese: 神工鬼斧
Another good one from The Zhuangzi, the Second Book of the Dao. This idiom concerns a craftsman in Lu (southern Shandong Province) who was particularly masterful at carving these wooden stands that held ceremonial bells. So great was his workmanship, people who beheld his handiwork declared it was Shén Gōng Gǔi Fǔ, 神工鬼斧.
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Terms in Episode
| Pinyin/Term | Chinese | English/Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Zhuāngzǐ | 庄子 | Also known by his personal name Zhuang Zhou 庄周, Zhuangzi was the philospher's name and the name of the book he is credited with writing. The book is also referred to as The Second Book of the Dao. |
| Dá Shēng | 达生 | Understanding Life, the chapter from The Zhuangzi from which this idiom was taken |
| Shēn Gōng Guǐ Fǔ | 神工鬼斧 | Uncanny workmanship, superlative workmanship, the work of the gods. Can also be expressed as Guǐ Fǔ Shén Gōng 鬼斧神工 |
| Shén | 神 | god…deity or some immortal being |
| Gōng | 工 | Worker or a skill |
| Guǐ | 鬼 | ghost or spirit |
| Fǔ | 斧 | axe or hatchet |
| Warring States Period | 战国时代 | The final part of the Zhou Dynasty, lasting from the estimated death of Confucius in 479 to 221 BC |
| chéngyǔ | 成语 | A Chinese idiom or slang |
| Zǐqìng | 梓庆 | The main character in this story, Craftsman Qìng or Master Qìng |
| Shandong province | 山东省 | Coastal province in the north of China |
| State of Lǔ | 鲁国 | A long-lasting Zhou Dynasty State located in the southern part of Shandong Province (Qi to the north). |
| Jù | 鐻 | Wooden stands used for ceremonial Chinese bells |
| Zhou Dynasty | 周朝 | China's final Bronze Age Dynasty, lasted 1046 to 221 BC. The Western Zhou lasted 1046 to 771 BC. The Eastern Zhou (Spring and Autumn and Warring States eras) lasted 770 to 221 BC |
