📖 Meaning
Describes blood shed for a righteous cause. It originates from the story of Chang Hong, a Zhou dynasty official whose blood miraculously turned into green jade after his unjust death, symbolizing the enduring purity of a martyr's sacrifice.
📜 Origin Story
The idiom comes from the Daoist text Zhuangzi, in the chapter 'External Things.' Chang Hong was a grandee of the Zhou court during the Spring and Autumn period. After being executed in the state of Shu, his blood was sealed away, and after three years it transformed into green jade. This miracle came to symbolize that blood shed in the cause of justice can never truly perish, and the phrase entered the language as a tribute to those who die for righteousness.
💡 Example Usage
革命先烈苌弘碧血，换来了今日的和平与自由。
The martyrs' blood, shed for righteousness, won the peace and freedom we enjoy today.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 苌弘碧血
- Pinyin: cháng hóng bì xuě
- Literal Translation: Chang Hong, jade, blood
- Category: Morality
- Characters: 4