📖 Meaning
Using a thorn branch as a hairpin and coarse cloth for a skirt. It describes a woman's plain and simple attire. The idiom conveys frugality, humility, and unpretentiousness in dress.
📜 Origin Story
The idiom originates from the Han dynasty text 'Biographies of Exemplary Women' (列女传) by Liu Xiang. It refers to the story of Liang Hong and his wife Meng Guang of the Eastern Han period. Meng Guang, though from a wealthy family, chose to dress simply with a thorn hairpin and a cloth skirt after marrying Liang Hong. The couple lived a reclusive, humble life together, and her simple attire became a lasting symbol of a virtuous and frugal wife.
💡 Example Usage
她虽出身名门，却钗荆裙布，从不追求奢华。
Though born into a noble family, she dressed plainly with a thorn hairpin and cloth skirt, never pursuing luxury.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 钗荆裙布
- Pinyin: chāi jīng qún bù
- Literal Translation: hairpin, bramble, skirt, cloth
- Category: Lifestyle
- Characters: 4