This character refers to a door or a gate. Sometimes it serves as an abstract concept representing a family or clan, such as zhu men, or vermilion gate, referring to a rich mansion.

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程门立雪
chéng mén lì xuě
Cheng is a surname and men refers to gate. Li means to stand while xue refers to snow. The proverb, taken literally, means to stand in snow at Cheng’s gate. Usually, it serves as a description of deep reverence for one’s teacher.
This proverb originated from the Song Shi, or the History of Song. The Song scholar Yang Shi (1053–1135) and his friend You Zuo came to visit the renowned philosopher Cheng Yi (1033–1107) and requested to be taken on as his disciples. On hearing that Cheng was taking a nap, Yang and his friend decided to wait at Cheng’s door. A few hours later, Cheng woke up and found that Yang and You were standing in more than a dozen inches of snow quietly and patiently. The behaviors of Yang and You become an example of the Confucian virtues of dedication to learning and respect for one’s teacher.

 

门庭若市
mén tíng ruò shì
Men and Ting refer to the gate and the front yard while ruo shi means to be as busy and crowded as a marketplace. The proverb compares one’s gate and front yard to a busy marketplace, indicating that there are many visitors to one’s house.  
This proverb originated from a story in the Zhan Guo Ce, or the Strategies of the Warring States. According to the story, King Wei of Qi (378–320 BCE), the king of the northern Chinese state of Qi, decided to listen to criticism from his officials and citizens. He also rewarded those who could criticize his faults in front of him or remonstrate him in writing. On hearing the Imperial decree, people streamed to the imperial court to make pleas or offer suggestions. The doorway to the king’s chamber looked like a marketplace. During the reign of King Wei, Qi became one of the most powerful states in China. The proverb reflects an essential virtue of a ruler—being open-minded and listening to different voices. There are many ancient texts discussing ways to be a good ruler of a country, and this virtue has always been highlighted. 

 

(edited by REN GUANHONG)