Overview
- The narrative interweaves traditional Chinese customs, particularly using hairpins to represent emotional connections between characters.
- The significance of each character’s relationship with a hairpin reflects their intentions and social standing, thereby underscoring themes of trust and hierarchy.
While the story may not faithfully represent historical contexts, it effectively embodies core elements of popular Chinese traditions. The author skillfully employs these customs to guide the narrative, particularly highlighting the emotional complexities tied to the hairpin as a significant cultural symbol.
This narrative complexity can sometimes lead to misunderstandings among viewers unfamiliar with the subtleties of these traditions. It is crucial to explore the purpose behind every gifting of this symbolic hairpin to fully appreciate its role within the story’s context.
The First Hairpin: Jinshi and Maomao
A Blend of Affection and Protection
When Jinshi presents Maomao with a hairpin, his face flushes crimson, subtly hinting at the hairpin’s deeper emotional significance. However, this act mistakenly leads Maomao to perceive the hairpin as merely a “get-out-of-jail-free card,”reflecting her limited understanding of their cultural practices.
Xiaolin emphasizes only one interpretation of the hairpin, as Maomao seeks Lihaku’s assistance without grasping the full gamut of its implications. Traditionally, this hairpin signifies that the wearer has reached adulthood, intertwining personal growth with cultural expectations.
This context might explain Jinshi’s guilt after discovering Maomao’s difficult past—perhaps as a way to honor her resilience in a challenging world.
However, this interpretation could clash with prevailing fan perceptions, as even the least empathetic viewer recognizes that Jinshi’s feelings for Maomao extend beyond mere pity. Episode 8 further illustrates this complex relationship as Jinshi’s somber tone reveals his distress over Maomao’s choice of guarantor.
So, I lost to a consolation prize? Huh?
Ultimately, the hairpin symbolizes Jinshi’s affection for Maomao, corroborated by its historical ties to romantic gestures in Chinese culture.
A Second Hairpin: Lihaku and Maomao
Courtesy of a Knight in Blue
In the subsequent episode, Maomao not only possesses Jinshi’s hairpin but also one from the rising Imperial figure, Lihaku. However, the significance of these gifts differs greatly due to their cultural context. The distinction lies in the richness of late Imperial China and the writer’s insights into court dynamics that elevate the importance of this accessory.
The hairpin acts as a key to exclusive privileges, reflecting the sender’s trust in the wearer. Therefore, the rank of the sender directly influences the level of authority conferred upon the recipient.
For instance, if Maomao utilized Jinshi’s hairpin instead of Lihaku’s, the privileges granted would significantly increase, emphasizing Jinshi’s higher status compared to Lihaku:
Hairpins with Rose Quartz and Silver!? They're obviously from people who far outrank me.
Lihaku, a more straightforward character, sees the act of distributing hairpins as a duty to ensure no one feels excluded at social gatherings. This inclination reveals itself through his lack of consideration while distributing them and indicates that his motivations differ greatly from Jinshi’s more thoughtful approach.
The Final Hairpin: Lihua and Maomao
Repayment of Favors of the Past
Maomao’s journey with hairpins doesn’t conclude with Lihaku; she subsequently receives another from Concubine Lihua. Unlike her previous interactions, it is evident that Lihua harbors no romantic feelings toward Maomao. In fact, Lihua’s distribution of hairpins is markedly different from Lihaku’s indiscriminate sharing.
This raises questions about Lihua’s motivations. However, a review of earlier episodes clarifies her intentions. As revealed in Episode 4, Lihua deeply respects Maomao for having saved her life, leading her to present the hairpin as a gesture of gratitude, despite potential ramifications from Concubine Gyokuyou and her attendants.
A Simplification Of The Concept
Modern Day Philosophy
Ultimately, the narrative stresses that the underlying intentions behind gifting hairpins are what imbue them with meaning. Observations indicate that the significance of these gifts is often tied to the sender’s social standing, particularly in the examples provided. If this concept seems complex, fans can liken hairpins to modern-day chocolates received on Valentine’s Day.
The diverse connotations associated with chocolate—from platonic appreciation to romantic gestures—illustrate how a single gift can convey a multitude of messages. This analogy simplifies the understanding of hairpins and is applicable to all three previously mentioned instances, thereby eliminating potential confusion.
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