story suspicion fear misunderstanding anxiety

"杯弓蛇影" (bēi gōng shé yǐng) - A Snake in the Cup

杯弓蛇影

Mistaking the reflection of a bow in a cup for a snake; unfounded suspicion or fear; to be overly suspicious.

Origins and Historical Context

The idiom "杯弓蛇影" (bēi gōng shé yǐng) originates from 应劭的《风俗通义·世间多有见怪惊怖以自伤者》，Later, a more detailed story was recorded in the Book of Jin (Jin Shu 晋书), specifically the biography of Yue Guang (乐广传).

The story goes: Yue Guang had a friend who visited him frequently. However, after one visit, the friend stopped coming. Yue Guang went to visit him and found him looking unwell. Upon inquiry, the friend explained that during his last visit, he saw a small snake in his wine cup. He felt disgusted but drank the wine out of politeness. Since then, he had felt unwell, constantly imagining the snake in his stomach. Yue Guang, puzzled, investigated and discovered that the "snake" was actually the reflection of a bow hanging on the wall. He explained this to his friend, who immediately recovered.

This story illustrates how unfounded fears and misinterpretations can cause unnecessary anxiety and even physical symptoms.

Meaning and Usage

"杯弓蛇影" literally translates to "cup bow snake shadow." It describes a situation where someone is overly suspicious or fearful due to a misinterpretation or illusion. It is used to describe unfounded anxieties and worries.

  • Example (Being paranoid about a minor symptom): “只是偶尔咳嗽几声，他就担心自己得了重病，真是杯弓蛇影。” (“Zhǐ shì ǒu’ěr késou jǐ shēng, tā jiù dānxīn zìjǐ dé le zhòng bìng, zhēnshi bēi gōng shé yǐng.”) – “He just coughed a few times and worried that he had a serious illness. He was truly seeing snakes in his cup.”

  • Example (Misinterpreting a situation at work): “同事们只是在小声讨论工作，他却以为是在议论自己，真是杯弓蛇影。” (“Tóngshìmen zhǐ shì zài xiǎoshēng tǎolùn gōngzuò, tā què yǐwéi shì zài yìlùn zìjǐ, zhēnshi bēi gōng shé yǐng.”) – “His colleagues were just quietly discussing work, but he thought they were talking about him. He was really seeing snakes in his cup.”

Cultural Significance of Chéngyǔ (成语)

"杯弓蛇影" highlights the importance of:

  • Clear Observation and Understanding: It emphasizes the need to carefully examine situations and avoid jumping to conclusions.
  • Rational Thinking: It promotes rational thinking and the avoidance of unfounded fears and anxieties.
  • 疑神疑鬼 (yí shén yí guǐ): To be suspicious of everything; to be overly suspicious.
  • 草木皆兵 (cǎo mù jiē bīng): Every bush and tree looks like an enemy soldier; to be in a state of extreme nervousness and suspicion.