The Sentiments of Plants in the Red Chamber: Unveiling the Cultural Implications and Literary Metaphors of "Husband and Wife Hui"

Brief Introduction

In the classical literary masterpiece Dream of the Red Chamber, plants and trees are not merely background scenery; they serve as metaphors for the fates of the characters. "Husband and Wife Hui" (夫妻蕙) is one such plant with profound symbolic significance. It appears in Chapter 62, titled "Xiangyun Drunkenly Sleeps on a Peony Mat; The Stupid Overlord's Flirting Leads to a Beating," where it is displayed by Xiangling and her companions during a game of "Fighting Grass" (斗草). Although this name is not part of modern botanical classification, it carries deep folk culture and literary implications, serving as one of the key clues to interpreting the subtle narrative threads (草蛇灰线) in Dream of the Red Chamber.

Core Knowledge Points

Plant Attributes: "Husband and Wife Hui" is not a strict biological name but a folk term for certain plants in the Orchidaceae family. It typically refers to Cymbidium faberi* (Hui Lan) where flower stems grow side by side, flowers bloom in pairs, or leaf shapes are symmetrical. Due to their intimate form, they are named "Husband and Wife," reflecting the ancient people's romantic imagination of "investigating things to extend knowledge" (格物致知).
* Folk Game: "Fighting Grass" (Dou Cao) was a common game for children in ancient times, divided into martial fighting (breaking grass stems) and literary fighting (matching grass names). Xiangling holding the "Husband and Wife Hui" falls under the literary category, testing knowledge and associative ability regarding plant names. This reflects the life interests of noble children in the Qing Dynasty.
* Cultural Symbolism: In traditional Chinese culture, the Hui orchid itself symbolizes nobility and purity. The addition of the words "Husband and Wife" further enhances the auspicious meaning of a happy marriage and harmony between spouses (琴瑟和鸣). It serves as a synonym for a beautiful marriage and is often used to bless newlyweds.

Connection to the Book's Content

In Chapter 62 of Dream of the Red Chamber, it is the birthday of Jia Yun and Xiangling, and the sisters in the Grand View Garden are playing together. Xiangling brings out the "Husband and Wife Hui" during the game, amazing Baoyu and others. This detail serves multiple literary functions:

1. Character Portrayal: Although Xiangling is in an unfortunate situation at this time (forced into marriage with Xue Pan), her innocence and longing for beautiful things displayed during the game highlight her pure essence, described as "Roots united with the lotus, one stem of fragrance" (根并荷花一茎香). She cherishes this plant just as she cherishes the little beauty remaining in her life.
2. Fate Irony: "Husband and Wife Hui" implies marital harmony, yet Xiangling's real marriage is tragic. Cao Xueqin uses this happy scene to write sorrow (乐景写哀情), hinting at her desolate ending of being abandoned and dying of illness, creating a strong artistic contrast. The more auspicious the name, the more desolate the fate.
3. Emotional Projection: Baoyu's love for this flower also reflects his pity for the fate of all women in the Grand View Garden, as well as his helplessness regarding the inevitable passing of beautiful things.

In summary, "Husband and Wife Hui" is not merely a game prop in Dream of the Red Chamber, but a carefully designed literary symbol by Cao Xueqin. It connects folk culture with character fate and is worth reading carefully by the audience.