天女 (tiān nǚ) — celestial maiden; goddess; (Buddhism) deva or apsara
Definition
A heavenly female being in Buddhist and East Asian mythology — usually a beautiful, ethereal maiden who can descend to the mortal world. Often appears in classical art, murals, and cave sculptures (as in the Dunhuang examples).
noun
celestial maidengoddess(Buddhism) deva or apsara
Measure word · 个
Examples
- 天女，。Bì huà shàng de tiān nǚ yī dài piāo piāo, shén tài ān xiáng.The celestial maiden on the mural has flowing ribbons and a serene expression.
- 天女。Zhè ge chuán shuō jiǎng de shì tiān nǚ xià fán bāng zhù fán rén de gù shi.This legend tells the story of a heavenly maiden descending to the mortal world to help humans.
- 煌天女。Dūn huáng shí kū lǐ yǒu xǔ duō tiān nǚ de diāo kè.There are many carvings of celestial maidens in the Dunhuang caves.
Appears in
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