📖 Meaning
Describes an elderly person who, despite advanced age and white hair, still holds a loyal, sincere, and devoted heart toward their country or cause. It conveys steadfast loyalty that never wavers even after years of hardship.
📜 Origin Story
During the Western Han Dynasty, Su Wu (苏武) was sent as an envoy to the Xiongnu, who detained him and tried to force him to surrender. He refused, enduring nineteen years of exile spent herding sheep in harsh conditions while remaining loyal to the Han court. When he was finally released and returned home, his hair had turned completely white from age and suffering, yet his loyal heart remained unchanged. This story, recorded in the History of the Han (《汉书·苏武传》), inspired the idiom to praise unyielding loyalty that endures through age and adversity.
💡 Example Usage
苏武牧羊十九载，白发丹心永留青史。
Su Wu herded sheep for nineteen years, his white hair and loyal heart forever recorded in history.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 白发丹心
- Pinyin: bái fà dān xīn
- Literal Translation: white hair, sincere heart
- Category: Attitude
- Characters: 4