The Mystery of the Song Dynasty Painting (35 page)

to kowtow: to show respect by bowing low and touching one’s head to the ground 

strength 

a unit of measurement of approximately one third of a mile 

bird 

energy 

a zither consisting of a wood frame and seven strings of twisted silk 

please be careful 

please, please 

man 

literally ‘three treasures’: three male organs consisting of penis and two testicles 

three perfections: painting, calligraphy, poetry 

cycles 

poetry 

Twelve Animals of the Chinese Zodiac: rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, goat, monkey, rooster, dog and pig