10 Chinese Idioms About Wealth & Prosperity

Find value among worthless

Literal: Sift sand pick gold

This idiom emerged from gold panning techniques along ancient China's river systems, where sifting (披) through sand (沙) to pick out (拣) gold (金) required patience and discernment. Originally used in Han Dynasty texts to describe the careful evaluation of historical documents, it gained prominence du...

Have great vision

Literal: Hills and valleys in heart

First appearing in Tang Dynasty literary criticism, this phrase describes having hills (丘) and valleys (壑) within one's heart/mind (胸). It originated from descriptions of landscape painters who could visualize entire scenes before touching brush to paper. The metaphor suggests a rich internal landsc...

Perfect peaceful place

Literal: Peach spring beyond world

This phrase describing a peach (桃) blossom spring (源) beyond (外) the world (世) comes from Tao Yuanming's famous 5th-century prose poem about a fisherman discovering an isolated utopia. The story of finding a hidden valley where people lived in perfect harmony, unaware of the empire's political turbu...

Decadent luxury lifestyle

Literal: Paper drunk gold confused

This idiom describes a decadent lifestyle where one becomes intoxicated (醉) with wealth symbolized by gold (金) and surrounded by deeds/contracts on paper (纸) to the point of confusion (迷). First appearing in Tang Dynasty poetry criticizing wealthy merchant households, it gained prominence during the...

Embrace diverse ideas inclusively

Literal: Gather all store together

This inclusive approach advocates gathering (收) comprehensively (兼) while storing (蓄) everything together (并), originating from Tang Dynasty intellectual movements. It gained prominence through scholar-officials like Liu Zongyuan who advocated synthesizing Confucian, Daoist, and Buddhist wisdom rath...

Find advantage in all directions

Literal: Left right meet springs

This fortunate idiom describes encountering (逢) springs/resources (源) whether turning left or right (左右), originating from Tang Dynasty descriptions of ideal terrain for settlement. It initially described geographical locations where water sources were abundant in all directions, representing perfec...

Success in theory not reality

Literal: Wealth on paper only

This illusory idiom describes wealth and status (富贵) existing only on paper (纸上), originating from Ming Dynasty commercial critiques. It first described merchants who maintained elaborate account books showing theoretical profits while actually struggling financially. The specific reference to paper...

Sophisticated work appreciated by few

Literal: Tune high harmony few

This cultural idiom observes that when a tune is too sophisticated (曲高), few can harmonize (和寡) with it. It originates from the 'Book of Han' biography of music master Li Yannian, whose complex compositions impressed Emperor Wu but remained inaccessible to ordinary listeners. During the Tang Dynasty...

Continuous flow; never-ending stream

Literal: River flows without ceasing

This idiom describes rivers (川) flowing (流) without (不) ceasing (息). The natural image of perpetually flowing water represents continuous movement or activity. The phrase appeared in classical texts describing busy markets and prosperous cities. It captures the vitality of constant activity. Modern ...

Education for all without discrimination

Literal: Provide education without discrimination

This idiom describes having (有) education (教) without (无) categories (类). It comes from the Analects expressing Confucius' principle that education should be available regardless of social class. He accepted students from all backgrounds. Modern usage advocates for equal educational opportunity rega...