📖 Meaning
Refers to the overthrow of a ruling dynasty and the establishment of a new one, i.e., a change of government or regime. '改物' specifically denotes altering the cultural and institutional legacy of the previous dynasty, so the idiom conveys a fundamental, sweeping transformation of the political order.
📜 Origin Story
The idiom first appears in the eulogy to Emperor Wu in the 'Book of Song' (宋书·武帝纪赞) by Shen Yue, praising Liu Yu for founding the Liu Song dynasty and succeeding the Eastern Jin. The passage reads: '至于钟石变声，柴天改物，民已去晋，异于延康之初' — the music and bells changed their tones, and heaven was offered sacrifice as institutions were reformed, for the people had already abandoned the Jin, unlike the beginning of the Yan'kang era. '延康' was the era name under which Cao Pi ended the Han and founded the Wei dynasty, so the text distinguishes Liu Yu's legitimate succession from that earlier transition. The phrase was later reused in the 'Book of Liang' (梁书·元帝纪) in an exhortation to the emperor to sweep away the old and change the mandate.
💡 Example Usage
伏愿陛下扫地升中，柴天改物。
I humbly pray that Your Majesty sweep away the old and rise to the throne, changing heaven's mandate and reforming the institutions.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 柴天改物
- Pinyin: chái tiān gǎi wù
- Literal Translation: burn offerings to heaven, change the institutions
- Category: Power
- Characters: 4