Analysis and Lore of Hu Tao in Genshin Impact

2 nov 2021 at 16:07

The constellations of Hu Tao are a poem in Chinese that got lost in translation.

In this article, we will talk about the meaning of the Hu Tao constellations and what they are trying to tell us.

Meaning and lore of the Hu Tao constellations

Chinese Name	Incorrect English/Russian Translation	Meaning
C1 - 赤团开时斜飞去 (7)	Crimson Bouquet	In C1, we see the term 赤团, which is the name of spider lilies/equinox flower, a poisonous red flower typically associated with death and the afterlife.
C2 - 最不安神晴又复雨 (8)	C2 - Ominous Rainfall	The meaning of C2 is more difficult to determine, as it initially seems to refer to ominous clouds and impending rain (which the English translation focuses on). However, some believe that "ominous rainfall" may signify the idea of the dead returning to life, which Hu Tao admits is one of her most pressing concerns.
C3 - 逗留采血色/C4 - 伴君眠花房	Lingering Carmine/Garden of Eternal Rest	C3 and C4 seem more connected, so the author decided to combine them into one line. Spider lilies are poisonous flowers. Butterflies, which fly to the flowers to gather bloody-red pollen (referred to as "Lingering Carmine" in English), end up "slumbering" inside the "flower chamber," which means they die (the English translation focuses on "eternal rest"). Most likely, it refers to funerals or a grave, leading to the next lines.
C5 - 无可奈何燃花作香	Floral Incense	C5 tells us about the burning of flowers, referencing a crematorium, which is a common practice in funeral parlors. In Hu Tao's demo version, we see her burning something... Hu Tao says that butterflies unknowingly become victims of poisonous spider lilies, so she refers to the burning flowers as "incense," whose fragrance will help the butterflies move on to the afterlife.
C6 - 幽蝶能留一缕芳	Butterfly's Embrace	C6 hints at butterflies, now deceased along with the one for whom the funeral is being prepared, with their aroma accompanying them as a farewell gift.

Now let's take a look at the Chinese poem translated into English:

The butterflies gather upon the blooming spider lilies, (C1)

With ominous clouds above, foretelling a returning rain, their minds stirred unrestful (C2)

Unknowingly harvest that poisonous rouge (C3), they slumber along in the chamber of flowers (C4)

I sigh as I burn the flowers as a parting incense (C5)

May the fleeting aroma be with those ghostly wings (C6)

Our translation into Russian:

Butterflies have gathered on spider lilies, (C1)

With ominous clouds above, foretelling the return of rain, their minds restlessly stirred (C2)

Unknowingly gathering the poisonous "rouge," (C3) they slumber in the chamber of flowers (C4)

I sigh as I burn the flowers as a parting incense (C5)

May the fleeting aroma accompany these ghostly wings (C6)

Author: Niysha

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