Interpretation: Groups of demons are jumping around. Metaphor is a group of bad guys who run amok in politics.

Source: Mu Qing's Entrustment to Premier Zhou: "In the days when dark clouds are gathering and demons are flying, this simple old farmer stands tall and writes a tragic song for people with his own actions!"

Example: The era of social unrest and dancing with demons has long passed.

synonym

Ghosts [niú guǐ shé shén]?

The original metaphor of Li He's poems is illusory and grotesque. Later used as a metaphor for all kinds of bad guys. Cow ghost: Buddhism refers to the cow ghost in hell. Snake god: refers to snake essence.

Source: Tang Du Mu's Preface to Li He's Poems: "It's not absurd for whales to be thrown over their heads."

Poetry is magnificent and strange, and the artistic conception is absurd and illusory.