📖 Meaning
Literally meaning to grab hold of a dragon and cling to a phoenix in order to soar into the sky. Figuratively, it describes people who attach themselves to powerful or influential figures in hopes of rising in status and wealth. It usually carries a derogatory tone, suggesting opportunistic social climbing.
📜 Origin Story
The phrase comes from the 'Treatise on Music, Part Four' (志第十二·乐四) in the Book of Song (宋书), compiled by Shen Yue (沈约) of the Liang dynasty during the Southern Dynasties. The original passage describes playing the qin and se zithers for self-amusement: 'Riding the clouds, I climb the terrace and float through the Great Void; holding onto a dragon and clinging to a phoenix, I hope each day to lighten my body.' These lines express Daoist aspirations to transcend the mortal realm and attain immortality by mounting the mythical dragon and phoenix. Over the centuries, the image of ascending upon dragons and phoenixes shifted into a metaphor for riding the coattails of the powerful.
💡 Example Usage
他热衷于扳龙附凤，整日围在权贵身边讨好。
He is eager to cling to dragons and phoenixes, hovering around the powerful all day to curry their favor.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 扳龙附凤
- Pinyin: bān lóng fù fèng
- Literal Translation: ban (to hold onto), long (dragon), fu (to attach to), feng (phoenix)
- Category: Status
- Characters: 4