Conversation 3

A: How nice these robes are! What do you call them in Chinese!
B: We Chinese call them "Qipao", a long robe with a split at each side seam.
A: Could you tell me the meaning of different patterns and designs on them?
B: Sure. The pattern of peony and phoenix symbolizes fortune and nobility. This fabric has an interesting pattern with mandarin ducks, which is typically Chinese. In China the design of dragon and phoenix means a very happy family, it also means authority.
A: I see. I can't decide which color is better.
B: In China yellow was for a long period of time considered to be of noble value symbolizing central authority. Kings and officials were entitled to wear yellow. Look, the yellow color and the design of dragon and phoenix are very harmonious.

A：哦，這些長袍多漂亮??！用中文怎么說的？
B：我們中國人稱之為“旗袍”，它的兩側開叉。
A：請告訴我旗袍上不同花紋和圖案的含義好嗎？
B：當然可以。這種牡丹鳳凰圖案象征著富貴。這種料子印著有趣的鴛鴦圖案，非常有中國特色。在中國“龍鳳呈祥”圖案象征家庭幸福，也象征著權力。
A：我明白了。我不知哪種顏色更好。
B：在中國，黃顏色在很長一段時間里被視為高貴權勢的象征，過去只有國王和大臣們才有資格穿用。看，這種黃色和“龍鳳呈祥”圖案非常協調。