China – Under The Hood: Bewitching – The Four Beauties of Ancient China

1. Yang Gui Fei 杨贵妃(719-756, Tang Dynasty), said to have “a face that would make all flowers feel shameful“
2. Wang Zhao Jun 王昭君 (c. first century BC, Western Han Dynasty), said to be “so beautiful as to make flying geese fall“
3. Xi Shi 西施 (c. seventh to sixth century BC, Spring and Autumn Period), said to be “so beautiful as to make swimming fish sink“
4. Diao Chan 貂禅(c. third century, Three Kingdoms Period), said to have “a face that would make the full moon hide behind the clouds“

Now every man, whether single or married, would do well to learn the four wonderfully descriptive sentences used to describe the Four Beauties of Ancient China, which can be summed up in four words: ‘Chen yu luo yan‘ 沉鱼落雁 (“Sinking fish. Falling geese”).  

Certainly, girlfriends and wives would be thrilled to hear their man whisper such words over a candle-lit “Best Burger in Hangzhou” dinner at McDonald’s.