Who is Huixiang? Huixiang (蕙香) is a name, not a separate person. It is the second name of a junior maid in Jia Baoyu’s rooms, and in Chapter 21 Baoyu renames her Si’er. If you want to meet the girl, start there.
The name
蕙香 (Traditional) · 蕙香 (Simplified) · Huìxiāng · ㄏㄨㄟˋ ㄒㄧㄤ
蕙 (huì): a type of orchid plant, sometimes translated “angelica.”
香 (xiāng): fragrance.
So the name means “Orchid Fragrance.” In Chinese literature the orchid stands for quiet virtue. It blooms in the deep forest whether anyone is there to smell it, which is why it’s a gentleman’s flower. That’s a very grand name for a little maid.
David Hawkes translates this name as Citronella. The Yangs render it as Hui-hsiang.
Where it comes from
The maid was born Yunxiang (芸香), and Xiren, called “Big Sister Hua” in the text, changed it to Huixiang. When Baoyu hears the new name, he makes a pun. 蕙 (huì) sounds exactly like the 晦 (huì) in 晦氣 (huìqì), “bad luck.” His verdict is that she should be called “Bad Luck,” and that nobody in his rooms is good enough to be compared to flowers. Then he gives her a new name.
Listen to who laughs. Xiren picked the name, and she is in the next room with Sheyue, listening to every word and quietly smiling.
Read next
Meet her: Si’er
See the scene: The Silent Treatment
All characters: Characters
New here? Start with the Start Here guide, or meet the rest of the family on the Characters page.