10 Chinese Idioms for Peace & Harmony in the New Year

Peace everywhere; universal harmony

Literal meaning: Four seas rising in peace

This idiom describes the four seas (四海) - meaning the whole world in classical Chinese - rising (升) in peace (平). It depicts universal peace and harmony across all lands. The phrase was used to describe golden ages of good governance. Modern usage describes periods of widespread peace and prosperity...

Golden age of peace and prosperity

Literal meaning: Great peace, flourishing era

This idiom describes a time of great (太) peace (平) and flourishing (盛) era (世). It depicts the ideal society - peaceful, prosperous, and stable. Such periods were associated with virtuous rule. Modern usage describes golden ages of any nation or organization, times characterized by stability, growth...

National peace and public security

Literal meaning: Country peaceful, people safe

This idiom describes the country (国) being peaceful (泰) and the people (民) being safe (安). It represents the ideal outcome of good governance where both the state and citizens thrive. The phrase was used in blessings and praise for rulers. Modern usage describes political stability combined with pub...

Value harmony above all

Literal meaning: Value harmony as precious

This idiom, promoting harmony (和) as precious (贵), traces back to the Zhou Dynasty classic 'Guoyu,' reflecting early Chinese diplomatic philosophy. The concept gained renewed importance during the Tang Dynasty's cosmopolitan empire, where it guided both domestic governance and international relation...

Live peacefully and work happily

Literal meaning: 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)...

Completely safe and unharmed through danger

Literal meaning: Peaceful without illness

This idiom originated from the 'Records of the Three Kingdoms' describing survivors of catastrophe. The term '恙' originally referred specifically to plague or epidemic disease before broadening to general harm. During the Jin Dynasty, it became shorthand in military reporting for troops surviving da...

Balance excellence with social harmony

Literal meaning: Respect work enjoy community

This balanced approach advocates respecting (敬) one's profession (业) while enjoying (乐) community (群), first appearing in Confucian educational texts during the Han Dynasty. It emerged from Confucius's teaching that ideal scholars should be both diligent in their studies and harmonious in relationsh...

Everything in right place

Literal meaning: Each finds its place

Emerging from early Confucian texts discussing social harmony, this concept describes how each (各) element finds (得) its proper (其) place (所). The idea gained practical application during the Han Dynasty's civil service reforms, where officials sought to match talents with appropriate roles. Histori...

Feel at ease with a clear conscience

Literal meaning: Heart at peace, reason satisfied

This idiom describes the heart (心) being at peace (安) because reason (理) is satisfied (得). It describes the inner tranquility that comes from knowing one has acted correctly. The phrase connects moral behavior with psychological well-being. Modern usage describes the peace of mind that follows ethic...

Gentle, nurturing influence

Literal meaning: Spring wind becomes rain

This poetic metaphor traces back to the Han Dynasty's educational philosophy, where ideal teaching was compared to spring winds (春风) transforming into nurturing rain (化雨). The imagery draws from agricultural wisdom – spring breezes and gentle rains nurture plants without forcing growth. Scholar Han ...