Antithetical couplet 對聯 (对联)
duìlián · from Chinese
What is a Chinese couplet (duilian)?
A duilian is a Chinese couplet of two lines matching in length, grammar and tonal pattern, hung on doorways especially as Spring Festival couplets.
Each character in the first line must correspond in word class and contrasting tone to the character in the same position in the second line. Spring couplets (春聯 chūnlián) with a horizontal scroll (橫批 héngpī) are pasted around doors at Chinese New Year. Composing matching lines was a classic test of literary skill.
Examples
天增歲月人增壽，春滿乾坤福滿門 tiān zēng suìyuè rén zēng shòu, chūn mǎn qiánkūn fú mǎn mén; 春聯 chūnlián (spring couplets); 上聯 shànglián / 下聯 xiàlián (first / second line)
Kungfucius says: A poem with strict symmetry, glued to your door for good luck. Peak Chinese efficiency.