September 26, 2026 · 星期六
The Eagle on a Pine
老鹰· eagle, falcon, hawk
Today’s episode with Jason & AmyThe motif of 'The Eagle on a Pine' reflects the Chinese cultural values of vision and resilience.
秋分 divides autumn in half, bringing day and night once more into perfect balance. After it the nights grow longer and the chill deepens, while golden fields ripen toward the great autumn harvest.
Now celebrated as China's Farmers' Harvest Festival, and children traditionally try 竖蛋 (standing eggs on end), as at the spring equinox.
The Eagle on a Pine
老鹰lǎo yīng
In Chinese culture, the eagle (鹰) is a powerful symbol often associated with strength and vision. The motif of "The Eagle on a Pine" (老鹰) is a traditional representation that captures the essence of these qualities. In this imagery, the eagle is depicted perched on a sturdy pine tree, a combination that symbolizes resilience and far-sighted aspirations. The pine tree, known for its longevity and endurance, complements the eagle's characteristics perfectly, creating a scene that evokes thoughts of lasting power and heroic achievements.
This motif is frequently found in Chinese art and literature, where it conveys messages of ambition and perseverance. The eagle's sharp gaze is said to represent the ability to see far and wide, much like a leader who envisions the future and navigates challenges with clarity. As a symbol, the eagle embodies a wish for individuals to achieve greatness by having a broad outlook and enduring spirit, much like the pine's ability to thrive in various conditions.
The combination of the eagle and pine tree is not only an artistic expression but also a philosophical one. It encourages individuals to cultivate qualities that enable them to soar high while remaining grounded and resilient. This imagery resonates deeply in Chinese culture, where personal growth and societal contribution are highly valued. The motif serves as an inspiration, reminding people of the virtues of strength, vision, and perseverance, which are essential for overcoming obstacles and achieving one's goals.
The motif of 'The Eagle on a Pine' reflects the Chinese cultural values of vision and resilience.
老鹰在松树上。
Lǎoyīng zài sōngshù shàng.
The eagle is on the pine tree.
- [1] 《中国画论》 (Chinese Painting Theory)
Jason & Amy on 鹰
Podcast: Dragon Daily: The Eagle on a Pine — and the word 鹰
Jason & Amy on The Eagle on a Pine and 鹰
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September 26, 2026
Today marks significant contributions in the fields of language education, art, and music in Chinese culture.
Adoption of Gwoyeu Romatzyh 国语罗马字
The Republic of China adopted Gwoyeu Romatzyh as the official romanization system of Mandarin Chinese. It was designed to help standardize Chinese language learning and preserve accurate pronunciation.
This system played a role in the evolution of Chinese language education.
Read more
Unknown author / Wikimedia Commons (Public domain) source Death of Xu Beihong 徐悲鸿
Xu Beihong, a renowned Chinese painter and educator, passed away. Known for his Chinese ink paintings of horses, he was instrumental in modernizing Chinese art by combining Western and Eastern techniques.
Xu Beihong's work continues to influence Chinese art and artists globally.
Read more
Spencersy / Wikimedia Commons (CC0) sourcelicence Birth of Yao Beina 姚贝娜
Yao Beina, famous for her strong vocal talent, was born. She became well-known for her performances in Chinese television contests and for singing themes in popular films like 'The Voice of China'.
Her music continues to inspire many in the world of Chinese pop and film music.
Read more
这是一只鹰。
Zhè shì yī zhī yīng.
This is an eagle.
Simple introduction using the word for eagle.
鹰飞得很高。
Yīng fēi de hěn gāo.
The eagle flies very high.
Describes the typical action of an eagle.
鹰象征着力量。
Yīng xiàngzhēng zhe lìliàng.
The eagle symbolizes strength.
Explains the symbolic meaning of an eagle.
他的眼光如鹰一般锐利。
Tā de yǎnguāng rú yīng yībān ruìlì.
His vision is as sharp as an eagle's.
Uses eagle metaphorically to describe someone's sharp vision.
Verb + 得 + adjective
verb + 得 + adjective
This pattern is used to describe how an action is performed.
Use this structure to indicate the manner of an action.
他跑得很快。
Tā pǎo de hěn kuài.
He runs very fast.
鸟飞得很高。
Niǎo fēi de hěn gāo.
The bird flies very high.
她唱得很好。
Tā chàng de hěn hǎo.
She sings very well.
What does 鹰 mean?
How is 鹰 pronounced?
How do you write "eagle" in Chinese?
Listen. What does the sentence mean?
天空是___的。(The sky is ___.)
这是一只鹰。 — What does this sentence mean?
What does the combination of an eagle on a pine tree symbolize in Chinese culture?
Arrange into a correct sentence
Which romanization system was adopted by the Republic of China in 1928?
What is Xu Beihong best known for in his art?
Frequently asked questions about the word 鹰
It is pronounced as yīng, with a high level tone.
Yes, the term 鹰 can refer to various types of eagles and similar birds like falcons and hawks.
No, 鹰 specifically refers to eagles, falcons, and hawks, not to all birds.
Chinese Learner’s Horoscope
Your sign’s reading for today, written for learners.
Find your sign
The Chinese zodiac assigns each birth year one of twelve animals, each paired with an element that colours its character. Yours shapes a reading written for learners.
- Your sign and its elementOne of twelve animals on a 12-year cycle
- A daily affirmationFresh every morning, never repeated
- A learning horoscopeWhat to study today, and when
- A lucky characterWith pinyin, meaning and a study tip
Your birth date
Saved on this device — used only to work out your zodiac sign.
Today's Mandarin word: 鹰 (yīng) — eagle, falcon, hawk.
Learn it on Mandarin Temple's Dragon Daily 🐉