Chinese are full of metaphors especially in old time poems. Please see my blog at the 2nd page of my profile re: the Seven steps verse, which is a good illustration as to how metaphors were used to its fullest in the chinese language. The poem is as follows:
煮豆燃豆萁,
豆在釜中泣.
本是同根生,
相煎何太急
The Spanish (I think you understand) translation is :
Las legumbres se cocinan con el fuego de sus tallos
Desde el medio del caldero se oye un penoso lamento:
"Si de una misma raíz fuimos hechos, hermano
¿Por que te esfuerzas con tanto celo a verme rostizado?"