📖 Meaning
Literally meaning to mend the heavens and prop up the earth, this idiom is used as a metaphor for extraordinary and magnificent deeds. It describes achievements of such magnitude that they seem capable of holding the cosmos itself together.
📜 Origin Story
The imagery draws upon two ancient Chinese mythological motifs. Mending the sky evokes the goddess Nüwa, who melted five-colored stones to repair the broken heavens after a great catastrophe. Supporting the earth recalls the legendary giant who held up the sky with pillars when the world was in danger. Together these cosmic acts of salvage came to symbolize epoch-defining merit.
💡 Example Usage
将军此战功勋补天柱地,足以名垂青史。
The general's merits in this battle are so great they could mend the sky and prop up the earth, enough to echo through history.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 补天柱地
- Pinyin: bǔ tiān zhù dì
- Literal Translation: mend, sky, support, earth
- Category: Success
- Characters: 4