虧き盈えい

noun

waxing and waning

Archaic term for the cyclical increase and decrease of the moon, or metaphorically for the rise and fall of fortunes. Not used in modern Japanese.

• 古ふるい漢かん詩しでは、月つきの虧き盈えいを人じん生せいの浮うき沈しずみにたとえることがある。

  In old Chinese-style poetry, the waxing and waning of the moon is sometimes likened to the ups and downs of life.