📖 Meaning
Originally describing the legendary reigns of Yao and Shun, when virtuous people were so numerous that almost every household merited a noble title. It now denotes a peaceful, well-governed society with simple and honest folk customs, or the transformative success of moral education.
📜 Origin Story
The phrase comes from the 'Biography of Wang Mang' in the Book of Han (《汉书·王莽传上》), where it praises the legendary reigns of the sage-kings Tang (Yao) and Yu (Shun) as a golden age teeming with worthy people. The text states that in such enlightened eras virtuous individuals were so plentiful that nearly every household could be enfeoffed for its merit. Wang Mang's supporters invoked this ideal to flatter him by likening his rule to that ancient utopia. The idiom has since been used to celebrate eras of social harmony and moral cultivation.
💡 Example Usage
太平之世，比屋可封，民风淳朴。
In an era of peace and good governance, every household may be deemed worthy of honor, and the folk customs are simple and honest.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 比屋可封
- Pinyin: bǐ wū kě fēng
- Literal Translation: household by household, can be enfeoffed
- Category: Condition
- Characters: 4