10 Chinese Idioms About Gold & Treasure (金)

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Literal meaning: 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...

Words carry great weight

Literal meaning: Words heavy as nine cauldrons

During the Zhou Dynasty, nine sacred bronze cauldrons (鼎) symbolized imperial authority. This idiom equates a single (一) word (言) with the weight of these nine (九) vessels, emphasizing extraordinary trustworthiness. The historical bronze dings required immense strength to move, making them perfect m...

Unity creates strength

Literal meaning: 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...

Keep integrity without compromise

Literal meaning: 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...

Keep promises faithfully

Literal meaning: One promise thousand gold

Emerging from the Spring and Autumn period, this idiom equates one (一) promise (诺) with a thousand in gold (千金). It gained prominence through the story of Ji Zha, who honored a posthumous promise despite great personal cost. The concept became central to merchant culture during the Tang Dynasty, whe...

Decadent luxury lifestyle

Literal meaning: 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...

Find advantage in all directions

Literal meaning: 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 meaning: 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...

Continuous flow; never-ending stream

Literal meaning: 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 meaning: 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...