曹植《洛神赋》用“翩若惊鸿，婉若游龙”来描绘洛神美态。

南宋诗人陆游曾作七绝二首悼前妻唐琬，题为《沈园》，其一： 城上斜阳画角哀，沈园非复旧池台。 伤心桥下春波绿，曾是惊鸿照影来。惊鸿，形容唐琬体态轻盈。照影，指桥下绿水照映过唐琬那美丽的身影。

翩若惊鸿:as in (of woman) as graceful as a frightened swan; a
beautiful woman

惊鸿一瞥:barely catch a glimpse of a passing beauty.