Radical 17-1 谷Gǔ, valley

Radical 17-1 谷Gǔ, valley

“Slow down, walking in this valley and getting back in touch with yourself…is the best way to feel good !!! ”  

“A path that winds its way through mountain peaks.” In the lower part of the character, we see a kind of opening which leads us onto the plain: that is the how the character 谷Gǔ, valley was depicted originally, often putting it together with the character山shān mountain we get山谷Shāngǔ or with the a flowing river or stream we get 河谷Hégǔ.

Chinese culture is one of the oldest in the world, the ancient Chinese saw the links between man and nature and this concept is often expressed in the Chinese language. 虛懷若谷 Xūhuái ruògǔ this is a saying which indicates a humble person who, however has a mind as open as a valley, 樹大成蔭鳥來宿，虛懷若谷人來聚。Shùdà chéngyīn niǎo láisù, Xūhuái ruògǔ rén láijù.“Big trees allow birds to rest and be safe, people who have minds as open as valleys naturally attract other people.”

Real authority is not created by power or force, but rather from the ability to listen and understand. Real friendship is colour blind. People who have a heart as big as a valley become a refuge for other people.

©兒童手搏文創Kids Shou Bo Arte Cultura & Saggezza Cinese
Elaborated by M°Dante Basili /M°Stefano Danesi  Translated by Neil Berry