Back to all idioms

虎踞龙盘(虎踞龍盤)

hǔ jù lóng pánRelationships & Character

虎踞龙盘 (hǔ jù lóng pán) literally meanstiger crouch dragon coiland expressescommanding imposing strategic position”.This idiom is used when describing situations involving relationships & character.

Also searched as: hu ju long pan, hu ju long pan,虎踞龙盘 meaning, 虎踞龙盘 in english

Pronunciation: hǔ jù lóng pán Literal meaning: Tiger crouch dragon coil

Origin & Usage

Three Kingdoms period geographers first described Nanjing's terrain as having tigers crouching (虎踞) and dragons coiling (龙盘). The image combined earth's greatest predator with its supreme mythical creature to capture the city's naturally commanding position. Tang Dynasty writers expanded it to describe any position of overwhelming natural advantage. Modern strategic thinking still values such inherent positional strength.

When to Use

Situation: The ancient fortress commanded the mountain pass with intimidating strategic position


Discover a new Chinese idiom every day with our iOS app.

Related Chinese Idioms

Similar idioms about relationships & character

Frequently Asked Questions

What does 虎踞龙盘 mean in English?

虎踞龙盘 (hǔ jù lóng pán) literally translates toTiger crouch dragon coiland is used to expressCommanding imposing strategic position”. This Chinese idiom belongs to theRelationships & Character category..

When is 虎踞龙盘 used?

Situation: The ancient fortress commanded the mountain pass with intimidating strategic position

What is the pinyin for 虎踞龙盘?

The pinyin pronunciation for 虎踞龙盘 ishǔ jù lóng pán”.

Curated Lists Featuring 虎踞龙盘