As the name implies, couplets should be "paired", that is, they are composed of upper and lower couplets. The number of words in the upper and lower couplets must be equal and the content should be consistent, that is, the upper and lower couplets can be "linked" (parallel), and two unrelated sentences can not be combined together to form a couplet.

2. Format

Generally, couplets are written vertically, with the last word (tone) of the first couplet posted on the right (hand) and the last word (tone) of the second couplet posted on the left (hand). Although antithesis of couplets has something in common with poetry, it is more demanding than poetry. Couplets can be divided into wide pairs and narrow pairs. Wide pairs can only be formed if the contents of the upper and lower couplets are related, while narrow pairs should be written in strict accordance with the standards of Li Weng Dui Yun.

3. Basic Law

Wide couplets are often used in practical couplets, but narrow couplets are rarely used, because the requirements for antithesis are too strict, which fetters people's thinking and is suspected of hurting meaning because of the text. The level and level of couplets are basically the same as poems. The basic law of distinguishing 135 and 246 is generally applicable.

Extended data:

Sticking couplets is a cultural custom handed down from ancient times in China. Couplets are cultural treasures for us, and they are not small treasures, and they are a manifestation of our unique writing art in China.

The custom of pasting Spring Festival couplets began in the post-Shu period about 1000 years ago, which is proved by history. In addition, according to Jade Candles Collection and Records of Yanjing Years Old, the prototype of Spring Festival couplets is what people call "Fu Tao".

The origin of Spring Festival couplets should also start from Fu Tao. According to ancient legend, there is a big peach tree in Dushuo Mountain in the East China Sea. There is a tea tree and a gloomy Er Shen and Er Shen under the peach tree. In case of trouble, they will tie it up and feed it to the tiger. Later, during the Spring Festival, in order to exorcise ghosts, people painted these two gods on a mahogany board, which is the symbol of peach.

In the Five Dynasties, Meng Changjun, the master of Shu, wrote the couplets "Welcome the New Year and celebrate Changchun in the festive season" in calligraphy, which is generally considered as the earliest Spring Festival couplets. In the Song Dynasty, posting Spring Festival couplets has become a custom. Wang Anshi wrote in his poem: "Thousands of households always change new peaches for old ones." Writing Spring Festival couplets on red paper began in the Ming Dynasty.

In the Ming Dynasty, Fu Tao changed its name to "Spring Festival couplets". In the Ming Dynasty, Chen wrote in Mao Yunlou's Miscellaneous Paintings: "The creation of Spring Festival couplets began with. Jinling, the imperial capital, suddenly issued a decree before New Year's Eve: Spring Festival couplets must be posted at the gates of public officials and scholars' homes. "

The folk custom of pasting Spring Festival couplets began in the Song Dynasty and prevailed in the Ming Dynasty. According to historical records, Zhu Yuanzhang, the Ming emperor, loved couplets. He not only writes by himself, but also often encourages his officials to write. One year on New Year's Eve, he sent a message: "A pair of Spring Festival couplets must be added to the door of public officials or scholars." On New Year's Day, I was very happy to see the Spring Festival couplets that complement each other.

He went to a house and saw that there were no Spring Festival couplets on the door, so he asked why. It turns out that the owner kills pigs, and he is worried that no one can write Spring Festival couplets. Zhu Yuanzhang immediately wrote down the Spring Festival couplets of "splitting the road of life and death with both hands and cutting off the root of right and wrong with one knife" and gave them to this family. From this story, we can see that Zhu Yuanzhang vigorously advocated Spring Festival couplets, and it was precisely because of his vigorous advocacy that it promoted the popularization of Spring Festival couplets.

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