For #AroWeek, I want to talk about the Chinese term 知音 (pronounced zhīyīn in Mandarin), which has influenced my thinking about queerplatonic relationships.
zhī 知: to know, knowing
yīn 音: music, sound
literally, a zhīyīn is someone who "truly understands your songs"
1/?
zhī 知: to know, knowing
yīn 音: music, sound
literally, a zhīyīn is someone who "truly understands your songs"
1/?
February 19, 2024 at 3:23 AM
For #AroWeek, I want to talk about the Chinese term 知音 (pronounced zhīyīn in Mandarin), which has influenced my thinking about queerplatonic relationships.
zhī 知: to know, knowing
yīn 音: music, sound
literally, a zhīyīn is someone who "truly understands your songs"
1/?
zhī 知: to know, knowing
yīn 音: music, sound
literally, a zhīyīn is someone who "truly understands your songs"
1/?
The concept of zhīyīn is explored again and again in various Sinophone literature and popular media, from wuxia and xianxia c-dramas to poetry that alludes explicitly or indirectly to zhīyīn.
9/?
9/?
February 19, 2024 at 3:27 AM
The concept of zhīyīn is explored again and again in various Sinophone literature and popular media, from wuxia and xianxia c-dramas to poetry that alludes explicitly or indirectly to zhīyīn.
9/?
9/?
There's even a recording of "Flowing Waters" (流水) included on the Voyager Golden Record, symbolically helping humankind search for a zhīyīn as it drifts around in outer space.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=_lRe...
(7/?)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=_lRe...
(7/?)
Voyager's Golden Record - Flowing Streams - China
www.youtube.com
February 19, 2024 at 3:26 AM
There's even a recording of "Flowing Waters" (流水) included on the Voyager Golden Record, symbolically helping humankind search for a zhīyīn as it drifts around in outer space.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=_lRe...
(7/?)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=_lRe...
(7/?)
Ziqi could understand all of Boya's songs. When Ziqi passed away, Boya felt so distressed that he destroyed his qin and never played it again. Boya thought of Ziqi as a "zhīyīn," and that term continues to be widely used to this day.
(4/?)
(4/?)
February 19, 2024 at 3:24 AM
Ziqi could understand all of Boya's songs. When Ziqi passed away, Boya felt so distressed that he destroyed his qin and never played it again. Boya thought of Ziqi as a "zhīyīn," and that term continues to be widely used to this day.
(4/?)
(4/?)
In a modern context, the term of "zhīyīn" is often translated into English as a soulmate, a kindred spirit, or a very close friend, but at its core, it's a term that refers to a type of intensely emotional, spiritual, and platonic connection with someone.
(5/?)
(5/?)
February 19, 2024 at 3:25 AM
In a modern context, the term of "zhīyīn" is often translated into English as a soulmate, a kindred spirit, or a very close friend, but at its core, it's a term that refers to a type of intensely emotional, spiritual, and platonic connection with someone.
(5/?)
(5/?)
the term zhīyīn comes from a story about finding a kindred spirit through music.
There are many versions of the story. Here's one version:
One day, the musician Yu Boya was playing a qin in the wilderness, when he met Zhong Ziqi. (image of a qin)
2/？
There are many versions of the story. Here's one version:
One day, the musician Yu Boya was playing a qin in the wilderness, when he met Zhong Ziqi. (image of a qin)
2/？
February 19, 2024 at 3:24 AM
the term zhīyīn comes from a story about finding a kindred spirit through music.
There are many versions of the story. Here's one version:
One day, the musician Yu Boya was playing a qin in the wilderness, when he met Zhong Ziqi. (image of a qin)
2/？
There are many versions of the story. Here's one version:
One day, the musician Yu Boya was playing a qin in the wilderness, when he met Zhong Ziqi. (image of a qin)
2/？
If you're coming from Twitter, you may have seen my threads on:
- fighting the British Museum for stealing my work #NameTheTranslator
- queerplatonic kindred spirits (zhīyīn 知音), the Rabbit God
- wuxia literature (#LIteraryJianghu project)
- protest wall poetry in detention centers (Angel Island)
- fighting the British Museum for stealing my work #NameTheTranslator
- queerplatonic kindred spirits (zhīyīn 知音), the Rabbit God
- wuxia literature (#LIteraryJianghu project)
- protest wall poetry in detention centers (Angel Island)
November 10, 2024 at 4:00 PM
If you're coming from Twitter, you may have seen my threads on:
- fighting the British Museum for stealing my work #NameTheTranslator
- queerplatonic kindred spirits (zhīyīn 知音), the Rabbit God
- wuxia literature (#LIteraryJianghu project)
- protest wall poetry in detention centers (Angel Island)
- fighting the British Museum for stealing my work #NameTheTranslator
- queerplatonic kindred spirits (zhīyīn 知音), the Rabbit God
- wuxia literature (#LIteraryJianghu project)
- protest wall poetry in detention centers (Angel Island)
The concept of zhiyin also features prominently in my upcoming book of poetry translations, The Lantern and the Night Moths.
I originally wrote this thread for Twitter but wanted to bring it back here for #AroWeek.
- end thread -
I originally wrote this thread for Twitter but wanted to bring it back here for #AroWeek.
- end thread -
February 19, 2024 at 3:30 AM
The concept of zhiyin also features prominently in my upcoming book of poetry translations, The Lantern and the Night Moths.
I originally wrote this thread for Twitter but wanted to bring it back here for #AroWeek.
- end thread -
I originally wrote this thread for Twitter but wanted to bring it back here for #AroWeek.
- end thread -
海角天涯 (The End of the World), 2018.
By Li Wei and Liu Zhiyin
By Li Wei and Liu Zhiyin
March 6, 2025 at 10:20 PM
海角天涯 (The End of the World), 2018.
By Li Wei and Liu Zhiyin
By Li Wei and Liu Zhiyin
For me, as an aspec Sino diaspora femme, the idea of zhīyīn offers me a way to think about the concept of queerplatonic relationships, given that it's very similar to the idea of a soulmate but without the necessary romantic connotations of the word in English.
(8/?)
(8/?)
February 19, 2024 at 3:26 AM
For me, as an aspec Sino diaspora femme, the idea of zhīyīn offers me a way to think about the concept of queerplatonic relationships, given that it's very similar to the idea of a soulmate but without the necessary romantic connotations of the word in English.
(8/?)
(8/?)
Several folks have asked me to teach them how to pronounce the names of the poets in The Lantern and the Night Moths.
I have added recordings of the pronunciations for the names of the poets and the word "zhīyīn" 知音 (kindred spirit).
yilinwang.com/the-lantern-...
I have added recordings of the pronunciations for the names of the poets and the word "zhīyīn" 知音 (kindred spirit).
yilinwang.com/the-lantern-...
The Lantern and the Night Moths - Yilin Wang
The Lantern and the Night Moths: Five Modern and Contemporary Chinese Poets in Translation “Poetry is what survives translation. Here, in the pages of Yilin…
yilinwang.com
March 16, 2024 at 7:41 PM
Several folks have asked me to teach them how to pronounce the names of the poets in The Lantern and the Night Moths.
I have added recordings of the pronunciations for the names of the poets and the word "zhīyīn" 知音 (kindred spirit).
yilinwang.com/the-lantern-...
I have added recordings of the pronunciations for the names of the poets and the word "zhīyīn" 知音 (kindred spirit).
yilinwang.com/the-lantern-...
Evening Breeze, 2021.
By Li Wei and Liu Zhiyin
By Li Wei and Liu Zhiyin
March 6, 2025 at 10:17 PM
Evening Breeze, 2021.
By Li Wei and Liu Zhiyin
By Li Wei and Liu Zhiyin
I have a new favorite Olympic athlete. www.self.com/story/zhiyin...
This Table Tennis Player Just Made Her Olympic Debut at 58 Years Old
Nearly 40 years after retiring from the pro world, Zhiying Zeng competed at her first Games.
www.self.com
July 28, 2024 at 9:55 PM
I have a new favorite Olympic athlete. www.self.com/story/zhiyin...
China's 10 millionth NEV produced in calendar year 2024
Ascribed to a Voyah Zhiyin by Dongfeng Motor
Chinese automakers BYD, NIO, Li Auto, SAIC Motor, Geely, GAC Group, Chang'an, Chery, BAIC Group, FAW Group, Great Wall Motor, JAC, Dongfeng Motor, and more, joined the celebration
Ascribed to a Voyah Zhiyin by Dongfeng Motor
Chinese automakers BYD, NIO, Li Auto, SAIC Motor, Geely, GAC Group, Chang'an, Chery, BAIC Group, FAW Group, Great Wall Motor, JAC, Dongfeng Motor, and more, joined the celebration
November 14, 2024 at 6:01 AM
China's 10 millionth NEV produced in calendar year 2024
Ascribed to a Voyah Zhiyin by Dongfeng Motor
Chinese automakers BYD, NIO, Li Auto, SAIC Motor, Geely, GAC Group, Chang'an, Chery, BAIC Group, FAW Group, Great Wall Motor, JAC, Dongfeng Motor, and more, joined the celebration
Ascribed to a Voyah Zhiyin by Dongfeng Motor
Chinese automakers BYD, NIO, Li Auto, SAIC Motor, Geely, GAC Group, Chang'an, Chery, BAIC Group, FAW Group, Great Wall Motor, JAC, Dongfeng Motor, and more, joined the celebration
Thank you @pipagaopoetry.bsky.social for a thoughtful and moving review of The Lantern and the Night Moths in @malahatreview.bsky.social (check out the magazine for the review in full). Truly a zhiyin who understands what I am trying to do with this book. 💜🥺 @invisibooks.bsky.social
February 17, 2025 at 6:16 PM
Thank you @pipagaopoetry.bsky.social for a thoughtful and moving review of The Lantern and the Night Moths in @malahatreview.bsky.social (check out the magazine for the review in full). Truly a zhiyin who understands what I am trying to do with this book. 💜🥺 @invisibooks.bsky.social
Efficient Analysis of Small-Angle Scattering Curves for
Large Biomolecular Assemblies Using Monte Carlo
Methods
Authors: Huat Thart Chiang, Zhiyin Zhang, Kiran Vaddi, Akif Tezcan, Lilo Pozzo
DOI: 10.26434/chemrxiv-2025-68833
Large Biomolecular Assemblies Using Monte Carlo
Methods
Authors: Huat Thart Chiang, Zhiyin Zhang, Kiran Vaddi, Akif Tezcan, Lilo Pozzo
DOI: 10.26434/chemrxiv-2025-68833
January 31, 2025 at 11:56 AM
Efficient Analysis of Small-Angle Scattering Curves for
Large Biomolecular Assemblies Using Monte Carlo
Methods
Authors: Huat Thart Chiang, Zhiyin Zhang, Kiran Vaddi, Akif Tezcan, Lilo Pozzo
DOI: 10.26434/chemrxiv-2025-68833
Large Biomolecular Assemblies Using Monte Carlo
Methods
Authors: Huat Thart Chiang, Zhiyin Zhang, Kiran Vaddi, Akif Tezcan, Lilo Pozzo
DOI: 10.26434/chemrxiv-2025-68833
Pareço normal mas minha cabeça tá 24/7 rodando wo ai beijing tiananmen, tiananmen shang taiyang sheng
weida lingxiu mao zhuxi zhiyin women xiangqian jin
weida lingxiu mao zhuxi zhiyin women xiangqian jin
March 27, 2025 at 12:09 PM
Pareço normal mas minha cabeça tá 24/7 rodando wo ai beijing tiananmen, tiananmen shang taiyang sheng
weida lingxiu mao zhuxi zhiyin women xiangqian jin
weida lingxiu mao zhuxi zhiyin women xiangqian jin
I can’t get the Chinese concepts of “phoenix couple” (wlw relationships) and “zhiyin” (queerplatonic soulmate, “one who understands my songs”) out of my head. 🐦🔥 🎶
I’ve incorporated both into my aroace retelling of Lady White Snake meets Aladdin. 🐍🧞♂️ 🌅
I’ve incorporated both into my aroace retelling of Lady White Snake meets Aladdin. 🐍🧞♂️ 🌅
February 22, 2025 at 8:26 PM
I can’t get the Chinese concepts of “phoenix couple” (wlw relationships) and “zhiyin” (queerplatonic soulmate, “one who understands my songs”) out of my head. 🐦🔥 🎶
I’ve incorporated both into my aroace retelling of Lady White Snake meets Aladdin. 🐍🧞♂️ 🌅
I’ve incorporated both into my aroace retelling of Lady White Snake meets Aladdin. 🐍🧞♂️ 🌅
春风一夜来 | The spring breeze comes overnight, 2017.
By Li Wei and Liu Zhiyin
By Li Wei and Liu Zhiyin
March 6, 2025 at 10:22 PM
春风一夜来 | The spring breeze comes overnight, 2017.
By Li Wei and Liu Zhiyin
By Li Wei and Liu Zhiyin
Qiu Jin wrote a lot about kindred spirits (zhiyin), and looking back, I think music is definitely a common motif throughout the collection. I also really like to listen to music when I write/translate. Literally can't focus otherwise lol.
February 2, 2024 at 3:16 AM
Qiu Jin wrote a lot about kindred spirits (zhiyin), and looking back, I think music is definitely a common motif throughout the collection. I also really like to listen to music when I write/translate. Literally can't focus otherwise lol.
当阳光洒在每一个角落 (When the Sun Shines in Every Corner), 2015.
By Li Wei and Liu Zhiyin
By Li Wei and Liu Zhiyin
March 6, 2025 at 10:24 PM
当阳光洒在每一个角落 (When the Sun Shines in Every Corner), 2015.
By Li Wei and Liu Zhiyin
By Li Wei and Liu Zhiyin
Folks who follow my work as a translator might know that I have been translating poems by Qiu Jin (1875-1907), one of China's most renowned feminist poets. She frequently wrote about her longing for a zhīyīn.
Some of my translations: chinachannel.lareviewofbooks.org/2021/02/12/q...
10/?
Some of my translations: chinachannel.lareviewofbooks.org/2021/02/12/q...
10/?
Feminist, Revolutionary, Poet – China Channel
A selection of poems by Qiu Jin, in new translation by Yilin Wang Translator’s note: Qiu Jin (秋瑾) was a Chinese revolutionary, feminist, poet, and essayist who lived from 1875 to 1907. Defying the ...
chinachannel.lareviewofbooks.org
February 19, 2024 at 3:29 AM
Folks who follow my work as a translator might know that I have been translating poems by Qiu Jin (1875-1907), one of China's most renowned feminist poets. She frequently wrote about her longing for a zhīyīn.
Some of my translations: chinachannel.lareviewofbooks.org/2021/02/12/q...
10/?
Some of my translations: chinachannel.lareviewofbooks.org/2021/02/12/q...
10/?
Yeah i have tried to translate it in different contexts but I think more kindred spirit or just keep the word zhiyin. (and thanks for pre-ordering!)
February 19, 2024 at 3:38 AM
Yeah i have tried to translate it in different contexts but I think more kindred spirit or just keep the word zhiyin. (and thanks for pre-ordering!)