Unearthing Notes to Things Old and New: The Nicknames of Aquatic Species

The nicknames bestowed upon the aquatic species by the communities of the Han and Wei Dynasties frequently pertained to the species unique attributes. these nicknames embody the populaces mimicry and comprehension of the political hierarchy. This essay explores the nicknames of the aquatic species as depicted in Cui Bos Notes to Things Old and New from the Western Jin Dynasty and how they demonstratehe interplay between officials and civilians during the Han and Jin dynasties. The study reveals a hierarchical relationship between the River Lord (the River God), the Envoy of the River Lord (the Chinese alligator), and the subordinate officials of the River Lord (squid, turtle, and softshell turtle). The hierarchical stature represented by these creatures nicknames is closely tied to their rarity and total number. This relationship further mirrors the system in which the imperial court in the Han and Wei dynasties collected poems to understand the conditions of the people.