8 Auspicious Chinese Idioms About the Color Red (红)
Lucky Chinese idioms featuring the color red - the most auspicious color in Chinese culture.
Red (红, hóng) is the most auspicious color in Chinese culture, symbolizing luck, happiness, and prosperity. These idioms featuring red carry extra significance during celebrations.
门庭若市
mén tíng ruò shìExtremely popular
Literal: Doorway busy as market
This vivid idiom describes a household's entrance (门庭) being as busy as a marketplace (若市). It originated during the Han Dynasty, initially describing the homes of influential officials where countless visitors sought audience. The metaphor gained particular significance during the Tang Dynasty, whe...
Example
The new restaurant was so popular that it was always packed with customers
这家新餐厅很受欢迎，总是顾客盈门
守时如金
shǒu shí rú jīnValue time preciously
Literal: Value time like gold
This idiom, emerging during the Song Dynasty's growing commercial culture, equates valuing (如) time (时) with gold (金). It gained prominence as mechanical water clocks improved timekeeping precision, making punctuality increasingly important in civil service and commerce. The comparison was particula...
Example
She always arrived early for meetings, respecting everyone's time
她总是提前到达会议，尊重每个人的时间
画龙点睛
huà lóng diǎn jīngAdd crucial finishing touch
Literal: Dot dragon's eyes
This vivid idiom comes from a story of the legendary painter Zhang Sengyou during the Southern and Northern Dynasties period. After painting (画) four dragons (龙) on a temple wall, he deliberately left them without pupils. When questioned, he explained that dotting (点) the eyes (睛) would bring them t...
Example
Her final edit transformed the good presentation into an excellent one
她最后的修改把这个好的演讲变成了一个出色的演讲
众志成城
zhòng zhì chéng chéngUnity creates strength
Literal: Many wills make wall
This architectural metaphor shows how many wills (众志) can form an impenetrable wall (城), drawing from ancient Chinese defensive architecture. It gained significance during the Warring States period when city walls required massive coordinated effort to construct and defend. Historical records detail...
Example
The community's united effort successfully prevented the development project
社区齐心协力成功阻止了开发项目
守正不阿
shǒu zhèng bù ēKeep integrity without compromise
Literal: Keep right no flattery
Emerging from Han Dynasty political discourse, this phrase combines maintaining righteousness (守正) with refusing to flatter or compromise principles (不阿). The term gained prominence during a period of intense political intrigue, where court officials faced pressure to abandon principles for personal...
Example
The journalist reported the truth despite political pressure
记者不顾政治压力报道了真相
安居乐业
ān jū lè yèLive peacefully and work happily
Literal: Peaceful dwelling happy occupation
This idiom originated from Han Dynasty governmental ideals in the 'Book of Han,' first appearing as an administrative goal representing balanced prosperity. During the Tang Dynasty, it became standard terminology in policy documents measuring governance success. The pairing of peaceful dwelling (安居)...
Example
After years of turmoil, the region finally achieved stability where families could live securely and pursue livelihoods
经过多年的动荡，该地区终于实现了稳定，家庭可以安全生活并追求生计
一帆风顺
yī fān fēng shùnSmooth sailing; everything going well
Literal: One sail with favorable wind
This idiom depicts a sailing vessel with one (一) sail (帆) catching favorable (顺) wind (风), moving smoothly toward its destination. It emerged from China's rich maritime history, particularly during the Song Dynasty when seafaring commerce flourished. The image of effortless progress powered by natur...
Example
We wish you smooth sailing in your new career.
祝你在新的职业生涯中一帆风顺。
欣欣向荣
xīn xīn xiàng róngThriving; flourishing
Literal: Flourishing toward prosperity
This idiom uses the reduplicated 'xinxin' (欣欣), meaning flourishing or joyful growth, combined with heading toward (向) prosperity (荣). It originally described vigorous plant growth and evolved to describe any thriving development. The phrase appeared in texts celebrating agricultural abundance and e...
Example
The local economy is thriving with new businesses.
当地经济欣欣向荣，新企业不断涌现。
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