»yu yuan«

Yu Yuan Garden







'jin yu man tang' is known since the times of Lao Zi. In ancient designs the phrase is symbolized by goldfishes, because in Chinese language it means a play with words that are homophonous. Today Chinese people use the expression to wish good luck as well as a praise for a talented person.

Fill a cup to its fullest, and you will wish you had stopped.
Temper a sword to its sharpest, and the edge will not last.
When gold and jade fill your house, it can no longer be guarded.
To be proud of wealth and honor invites misfortune.
When your work is done, withdraw; this is the way of nature.
(Tao Te Cheng, translated by Ned Ludd)