Dear Haijin, visitors and travelers,
In our first Carpe Diem Special by Buson of this month I shared a haiku by Buson on Mandarin Ducks. And today that
Mandarin Duck is in the reprise. So it will be a bit difficult to write a new one on Mandarin Ducks, but ... well ... be inspired. For your inspiration I have sought they internet for another nice haiku on Mandarin Duck. This one is written by Matsuo Basho (1644-1694).
furu ike no oshidori ni yuki furu yuube kana
at the old pond
snow falls on Mandarin ducks
in twilight
Let me tell you something more about this kigo
Mandarin Ducks (oshidori). By the way the scientific name for Mandarin Duck is ' Aix galericulata' .
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| Mandarin Duck (male or 'drake') |
The adult
male (sometimes called 'drake' for his colorful feathers) is a striking and unmistakable bird. It has a red bill, large white
crescent above the eye and reddish face and "whiskers". The breast is
purple with two vertical white bars, and the flanks ruddy, with two orange
"sails" at the back. The female is similar to female Wood Duck, with
a white eye-ring and stripe running back from the eye, but is paler below, has
a small white flank stripe, and a pale tip to its bill.
The Mandarin
ducklings are almost identical in look to Wood ducklings, and appear very
similar to Mallard ducklings. The ducklings can be distinguished from Mallard
ducklings because the eye-stripe of Mandarin ducklings (and Wood ducklings)
stops at the eye, while in Mallard ducklings it reaches all the way to the
bill.
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| Mandarin Duck (pair) |
Pillows with mandarin duck design make great wedding gifts in China, so do
curtains and bed-covers.
When one duck carries a lotus flower and the other animal a lotus fruit, this
expresses the wish for a marriage blessed with many sons.
"Mandarin ducks in the dew" is a Chinese expression for unmarried
lovers, though.
Even in the world of the Chines sexual intercourse instructions, there is the
position "Mandarin Duck Union".
Mandarin
Ducks, which are referred to by the Chinese as Yin-Yang ducks, are frequently
featured in Oriental art and are regarded as a symbol of conjugal affection and
fidelity. A Chinese proverb for loving couples uses the Mandarin Duck as a
metaphor:
"Two swimming mandarin ducks".
The
Mandarin Duck symbol is also used in Chinese weddings, because in traditional
Chinese lore they symbolize wedded bliss and fidelity. In reality, though, the
ducks find new partners each year. Mandarin Ducks are symbol for happy couples.
Isn't it a wonderful bird this Mandarin Duck? Great for kigo, and of course it is a kigo for winter (smiles).
in the moonlight
Mandarin Ducks making love
happily together
brilliant colors
reflecting in the old pond
Mandarin drake
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| Mandarin Ducks (pair) |
This prompt will stay on 'till December 18th 11.59 AM (CET) and I will share our new Carpe Diem Special by Buson later on today around 10.00 PM (CET). That will be a surprise haiku I think, because I haven't found a nice haiku which I love to use. So ... be prepared (smiles).
Have fun, be inspired and creative. And share your haiku with us here on Carpe Diem's daily haiku meme.
