断袖情
[duàn xiù qíng]
'断袖情' (Duàn xiù qíng) translates loosely to 'cut sleeve affection,' alluding to a famous ancient Chinese anecdote where the love between two men was acknowledged. One emperor cut his sleeve not to disturb his male lover who had fallen asleep over it, symbolizing mutual respect and care. Today, it represents homosexual romance, primarily male, with deep emotional undertones.