Definition
华盖 originally referred to the canopy over an imperial or noble carriage in ancient China, symbolizing high status. It later developed a metaphorical sense of a halo or aureole around a person. In traditional Chinese astronomy, 华盖 is also the name of a constellation (the 'Imperial Canopy') in Cassiopeia, associated with ill fortune — hence the expression '华盖运' (bad luck). The word carries both literal and cultural layers, so context determines which meaning applies.
n.
(historical) canopy over an imperial or noble carriage(metaphorical) haloaureole (around a person's head, often in Buddhist or literary contexts)(astronomy) the Imperial Canopy constellation (faint stars in Cassiopeia, considered unlucky)
Examples
- ，华盖。Gǔdài dìwáng chūxíng shí, tóudǐng yǒu huá gài zhē yáng.When ancient emperors traveled, they had a canopy over their heads to block the sun.
- 华盖，。Fóxiàng bèihòu cháng yǒu yì quān huá gài, xiàngzhēng zhìhuì yǔ cíbēi.Buddha statues often have a halo behind them, symbolizing wisdom and compassion.
- 华盖，。Gǔrén rènwéi huá gài xīng chūxiàn yùshì bùxiáng, suǒyǐ jiào tā zāixīng.Ancient people believed that the appearance of the Imperial Canopy star foretold misfortune, so they called it a star of calamity.
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