肉袒

肉袒

1. (literary) to be partially naked (chiefly baring the arms up to the shoulders or the entire upper body, a gesture of humility)

   • 君在，大夫射，則肉袒。 [Traditional Chinese poetry, trad.]
     君在，大夫射，则肉袒。 [Traditional Chinese poetry, simp.]

     From: Etiquette and Ceremonial, circa 475 – 221 BCE

     Jūn zài, dàfū shè, zé ròutǎn. [Pinyin]

     In the presence of the monarch, when a dafu ("Great Officer") engages in the archery, he should bare his arms.

   • 鄭伯肉袒牽羊以逆，曰，「孤不天，不能事君，使君懷怒，以及敝邑，孤之罪也，敢不唯命是聽。」 [Traditional Chinese poetry, trad.]
     郑伯肉袒牵羊以逆，曰，「孤不天，不能事君，使君怀怒，以及敝邑，孤之罪也，敢不唯命是听。」 [Traditional Chinese poetry, simp.]

     From: Commentary of Zuo, c. 4^th century BCE

     Zhèngbó ròutǎn qiān yáng yǐ nì, yuē, “gū bù tiān, bùnéng shì jūn, shǐ jūn huáinù, yǐ jí bìyì, gū zhī zuì yě, gǎn bù wéi mìng shì tīng.” [Pinyin]

     The Duke of Zheng, baring his torso and pulling a lamb by the cord, went to receive (the conquerors), saying, "This lowly person has failed Heaven by his inability to serve Your Majesty, and thus incurred you wrath that befell this unworthy land. I am the guilty one, and I all I can do is to submit to your command with full faith."