抛绣球

抛绣球

Literally means:

cast the embroidery ball

Actually means:

绣球 a ball made of strips of silk. 抛, throw.

It is said to be a method used by a girl from a wealth family to select husband in ancient times. The girl would throw down the ball from her high rising house, and the unmarried would scramble for it. The one who gets it would marry the girl.

Presently some minorities in southwest China still follow this tradition. In modern Chinese, this phrase jokingly means a girl offers her message of affection to a man. It may also mean that a company invites cooperating partners or offers employment.

绣球，用彩色丝绸或花布做成球状物。抛，扔。

抛绣球，传说中古代有钱人家的女儿选择丈夫的一种方式。通常是姑娘在楼上往下抛出绣球，让未婚男子争抢，得球的人即可以和姑娘成亲。

现今西南的少数民族也有类似的做法。现在用来戏称女子主动向男子发出表示好感或爱慕的信息。也指有关单位发出邀请合作伙伴或招聘人员的信息。