flowers in a mirror or the moon in the water—an illusion; a mirage;beautiful but evanescent dreams ❍ 一个是水中月，一个是镜中花。(《红楼梦》62) One is the moon reflected in the water|The other but a flower in the mirror.
镜花水月jing hua shui yue
flowers in a mirror or the moon in the water—an illusion
镜花水月
insubstantial love;infatuation
镜花水月jìnɡ huā shuǐ yuè
镜子里的花，水中的月亮。比喻可望而不可及的虚幻景色；也比喻不能从字面上来理解诗所表达的意境。moonlight in the water, an illusion, mare’s nest