"The antelope hangs by its horns, and no trace of it can be found" refers to the legend that when the antelope sleeps at night, in order to prevent it from being violated, it hangs by its horns from the trees, and its feet do not touch the ground, so that it is difficult for those who have an evil intention to find its trace. Later on, it was borrowed to mean that the creation of literature is based on a flash of light, which cannot be rationally interpreted.

"The antelope hangs by its horns" was first mentioned in Lu Xuan's "Bei Ya - Explaining the Beasts" in the Song Dynasty: "The antelope sleeps at night with its horns hanging from a tree, its feet not touching the ground, leaving no traces behind, in order to prevent the enemy from being harmed." Later, it was used to describe the transcendent state of mind of a gazelle that leaves no traces.

Synonyms

1. Maundy Canglang

Pronunciation: zhuó yīng cāng làng.

Explanation: washing the tassel in clear water. It is a metaphor for transcendence and purity of conduct.

Citation: Meng Ke (孟轲), "Mengzi - Li Lou Shang" (孟子-离娄上), Warring States: "The water of Canglang is so clear that it can be washed of my tassel."

Translation: The water of the Canglang River is so clear that it can wash my crown and tassel. The water of the Canglang River is muddy, so I can wash my feet.

2. Chāo Rán Bù Qún

Pronunciation: chāo rán bù qún.

Interpretation: to be beyond the world, not to fit in with the crowd.

Citation: Qing Historical Records - Biography of Wu Wen Pu: "He is a man of tact, transcendent, and able to make a long whistle at Su Men."

Translation: He is a man of literary and military tactics, transcends the world, and is able to be a person who is different from the common people and has a noble and open-minded character.