Maybe the peacock is delivering an intellectual, urbane joke?

August 11, 2012 8:43 AM

Can anyone translate the characters on this wall hanging thingamadoodle?

A decorative peacock-themed wall hanging has come into our lives. Here are some pictures. I'm sorry the pictures suck, we only have a phone camera right now.

I enjoy the slightly judgemental facial expression of the peacock, and would like to keep this thing around. But I'm curious as to what the written message says. It doesn't bother me if it says something mundane, commercial, or silly. Although, I will arch an eyebrow at Mr. Peacock if he's just spewing nonsense.

I am completely ignorant in these matters of language, so please forgive me for that. Thanks in advance, for assistance from anyone with a more advanced brain.

posted by Coatlicue to Writing & Language (5 answers total)

Someone who actually reads Chinese will probably show up soon, but here's an earlier Ask that was similar so you can read about the type of stuff the calligraphy typically says (unfortunately the images are no longer available in there but it was the same style of wall hangings). If nobody shows up by tomorrow, my dad will be here Sunday morning and I'll get him to translate.
posted by girlhacker at 10:37 AM on August 11, 2012

Response by poster: Yay, thanks, girlhacker! You and your dad are great.
posted by Coatlicue at 8:17 PM on August 11, 2012

Best answer: The Chinese text is:
名卉三X逞艳文五色蒸霞
丙辰年X壹瀛碧溪秀柳X

There were a few characters I couldn't make out (Xs). The first line is a sort-of poem about beautiful flowers and colorful clouds. The second line is a description of when and where it was painted -- 1976, and something about a creek.

Maybe someone who's better at reading calligraphy can fill in the blanks...
posted by twisted mister at 9:15 PM on August 11, 2012

Response by poster: Thank you, twisted mister! I love this stuff. If needed, I can try to take a better picture of the characters, although I mightily doubt our phone camera.
posted by Coatlicue at 6:48 AM on August 12, 2012

Best answer: OK here we go, it's a lovely peacock poem, alas nothing snide or too intellectual:

Renowned (or famous) flower
Late Spring
Showing its Beauty
Five or Multiple Colors
Like Rainbows.
posted by girlhacker at 10:50 AM on August 12, 2012 [1 favorite]