Calling a deer a horse 指鹿为马

It is an example of a borrowed metaphor, which uses objects, in this case a deer and a horse, to convey a subtle message. It is also an example of an insinuating metaphor, in that it insinuates a person uses his authorities or powers to dominate or control another person.
Background
指鹿为马 (zhí lù wéi má)  literally means pointing at [...]

Pointing the mulberry tree cursing the locust tree 指桑骂槐

It is another example of a borrowed metaphor, which uses an object to convey a subtle message. It is similar to the proverb “spitting sand at the shadow 含沙射影” of yesterday’s blog.
Background
指桑骂槐 (zhǐ sāng mà huái) literally means pointing at the mulberry tree but cursing the locust tree.
It is the 26th stratagems of the famous 36 [...]

Splitting sand at the shadow 含沙射影

Looking at the above title, it sounds more like a title of a kung fu movie than a Chinese proverb. One of the beauties of the Chinese language is the extensive and frequent uses of metaphors. The above proverb is one of the examples of a borrowed metaphor, which is the use of on object to convey a [...]