Three days after Cao Xueqin was born, it was a time of good rain after a long drought. His father Cao Fu was very happy and named him "Zhan". The word was taken from the Chinese character "both excellent and wealthy" in the Book of Songs. , "It is enough to give birth to a hundred grains." It means that the drizzle is so abundant and abundant that it moistens the earth and irrigates all directions, allowing our crops to grow vigorously. It is related to "Long drought meets sweet rain". The word "Zhan" can also be linked to "Shizhan Emperor's favor", which means thanking the emperor.
The two words "Xueqin" come from Su Shi's poem: "The mud celery has perennial roots, and an inch of it is alone; when the snow celery moves, the spring doves will be able to swim." It means: in the soil Leave the celery root, only about an inch long. In this snow, when will it sprout and grow? You have to wait until spring arrives before you can fry it with turtle dove meat! And his self-note: "The eight most precious celery in Sichuan are celery, buds and spinach, mixed with dove meat." Although the mud of celery is filthy, the "snow celery" comes out of the mud without being stained. Su Dongpo often compared himself with "Qin". The "snow" in the Dongpo brothers' poems is mostly white and has the meaning of protection. Therefore, Cao Xueqin changed her name to "Xueqin".