noun
heart-to-heart communication; wordless understanding
A Zen-derived yojijukugo referring to direct, non-verbal transmission of insight, often between master and disciple. The literal image is of holding a flower and subtly smiling. Used in literary or philosophical contexts.
禅では、拈華微笑のような以心伝心が重視される。
In Zen, wordless communication like 拈華微笑 is valued.
師弟の間には拈華微笑のやりとりがあった。
There was a heart-to-heart exchange between master and disciple.