noun
ephemerality of life; transience of the human world
A classical literary expression evoking the brevity of life, often with a mournful tone. The literal image is dew on onion leaves, symbolizing tears of grief.
「薤露」は、人生のはかなさを詠んだ漢詩の一節に由来する言葉だ。
The word 薤露 comes from a line in a Chinese poem that laments the transience of life.