词语解释

ròu shān fǔ lín ㄖㄡˋ しㄢ ㄈㄨˇ ㄌㄧㄣˊ

肉山脯林

[meat mountains and dried meat forests] (idiom) a luxurious banquet with an abundance of food; extravagant feasting.

The phrase "肉山脯林" is derived from ancient Chinese literature, which describes a grand feast or lavish banquet where there are so many dishes piled up that they form literal "mountains" of meat and "forests" of cured meats. This metaphorical imagery represents excessive luxury and indulgence in rich foods during celebrations or royal gatherings.

"肉山脯林" can be traced back to the classic work "Laozi" by Laozi (老子), where it is used to illustrate the decadence and wastefulness of certain social events:

"When rulers display their virtue,
They do not use force upon others.
Instead, they lead by example through simplicity and moderation.
However, if rulers indulge themselves in pleasures,
They will inevitably create a culture of excessiveness.
This leads to '肉山脯林' - an overabundance of resources wasted on trivial pursuits."

In modern times, this idiom still carries connotations of extreme opulence but also serves as a reminder to practice restraint and respect for natural resources when celebrating.