Neat, clean and respectable clothing and
hats.(衣冠楚楚)
China has a very long history, and numerous
historical books have been preserved over the years. One category includes
histories dedicated to various Chinese towns and villages, many of which
preserve records of local geography, culture, and customs.
Fenghua County, in present-day Zhejiang
Province, China, contains historical records from the Southern Song dynasty.
One passage from these records reads as
follows:
'Fenghua County is bordered by mountains to
the west and the sea to the south. The amount of arable land in Fenghua County
is quite limited, yet the population is very large.
Over generations, the people living near
the mountains have cultivated abundant arable land. Despite the challenging
conditions, these residents are remarkably optimistic and face them with a
positive and proactive attitude.
Despite the significant increase in arable
land, the people living here remain extremely poor. Their annual harvest is
barely enough to sustain their basic needs, and they have virtually no savings.
Those living in the coastal areas make a living from fishing. They are highly
skilled at operating fishing boats and spend most of their days at sea.
The ordinary people of this land possess
high moral values. Although they are poor, they do not resort to illegal
activities to acquire wealth quickly.
The wealthy value their children's
education, instilling Confucianism in them and raising them to become
knowledgeable individuals who are neither proud nor extravagant.
There are also some impoverished
intellectuals living here. Their families are so poor that they often go
hungry, yet they still value their appearance, always wearing neat, clean and
respectable clothing and hats when they go out.
After observing and summarising the common
characteristics of the people living in this area, several key points emerge.
The people of this land are characterised
by their simplicity and loyalty. They are principled and have strong willpower.
They uphold justice.
This idiom literally means 'to wear neat,
clean and respectable clothes and hats'.
It is often used to describe someone who is
exceptionally well-dressed and outstanding.
Dear friends, what insights or thoughts
have you gained from this story?
What unique characteristics do the people
of your hometown have? How much do you know about your hometown's history?
I hope this story will provide you with
some new insights.
衣冠楚楚(Neat, clean and respectable clothing
and hats.)
中國的歷史非常的悠久，中國這塊土地上從古到今留下來許多歷史書，其中有一個類別是中國各個鄉鎮的專屬歷史書，在中國的許多鄉鎮中保存著有關於當地的地理環境與人文風俗的紀錄。
現今的中國浙江省奉化縣中，就留下了中國南宋時期的歷史紀錄。
這些歷史紀錄中，其中一段的內容如下。
奉化縣的西邊是是山而左面是海，奉化縣中可以耕種的土地面積相當狹窄但這裡的人口非常的多。
生活在這塊土地上的靠近山的人們經過好幾代的開墾，終於在山旁開發出很多可以用來耕種的地方，這裡生活的人非常的樂觀，他們用正面且積極的心態去面對艱難的生活環境。
即便現在的可供耕種的土地面積已經較之前增加許多，但是生活在這塊土地上的百姓仍然非常貧窮與困苦。這些百姓們每年辛苦耕種後所收穫的糧食只夠他們維持最基本的生活所需，這些百姓幾乎都沒有任何積蓄。
生活在這塊土地上的生活區域比較靠近海邊的那些百姓們靠著捕魚維生，他們駕駛漁船的技術非常的好，他們一天的大多數時間幾乎都是待在船上。
生活在這塊土地上的普通百姓們都有很高尚的道德觀，他們雖然貧困但是他們不會為了要快速的致富而去做非法的壞事。
生活在這塊土地上的有錢人們很重視他們的小孩的教育，他們讓自己的小孩學習儒家的思想、他們很用心地與培養自己的小孩成為一個有知識的人而且不驕傲也不奢侈的人。
生活在這塊土地上還有一些貧窮的知識份子，這些知識分子家中已經貧窮到糧食短缺，但這些知識份子仍然很重視自己的形象，他們出門的時候都會穿戴著整齊乾淨且體面的衣服與帽子。
根據觀察與歸納生活這個地方的人民的普遍性格之後，可以得到幾項重點。
這個地方的人民的性格相當的簡單與忠誠。他們有堅強的意志力，他們很有原則。他們崇尚正義。
這句成語直接翻譯的意思是穿戴著整齊乾淨且體面的衣服與帽子。
這句成語通常被用來形容一個人的穿著非常的光鮮而且出色。
親愛的朋友，你聽完這個故事有怎樣的啟發或有怎樣的想法呢。
你的家鄉中的人們有怎樣的特殊的性格嗎?你對你的家鄉的歷史了解多少呢?
我期待這故事能讓你產生一些新的收穫。
出處為寶慶四明志-卷14-奉化縣志卷1