源远流长

Pronunciation: yuán yuǎn liú cháng Literal meaning: Source distant, flow long

Origin & Usage

A source (源) far off (远) and a current (流) that runs long (长). Both halves describe the same river from opposite ends, and what they claim together is continuity rather than mere age: the water arriving now is connected to the spring, and nothing in between has been cut. That is why it is applied to traditions, disciplines and family lines rather than to old objects. The register is official and ceremonial, and it is very often the opening sentence of a piece about a craft.

Examples

English: "Chinese civilization has ancient roots and continues to thrive today."

Chinese: 中华文明源远流长，延续至今。