(idiom) an optical illusion of distant scenery in the air or on the ground; often used to describe things that are illusory, unreal, or unattainable

(bound form) a mirage; an illusion or phantom vision; specifically used in the idiom [[海市蜃楼|海市蜃樓|hai3 shi4 shen4 lou2]]

An optical illusion caused by the refraction of light through layers of air at different temperatures, typically appearing as cities or buildings above a sea or desert.

a mirage; something that is illusory or imaginary

optical illusion caused by atmospheric conditions, typically in deserts or over bodies of water

large clam or mussel; traditionally believed to breathe out vapors that create mirages of palaces and cities

(literary) a funeral carriage or hearse used for transporting a coffin