📖 Meaning
Originally referring to political reform or dynastic change. Now it broadly means to eliminate the old and establish the new. The idiom emphasizes the dual process of discarding outdated practices while creating fresh systems.
📜 Origin Story
This idiom originates from the Book of Changes (周易·杂卦), a foundational classic of the Zhou Dynasty (c. 1046–256 BCE). The text states: '革 means to remove the old; 鼎 means to take the new.' In the I Ching, the hexagram 革 (Revolution) symbolizes overthrowing what is obsolete, while 鼎 (Cauldron) symbolizes establishing something new and stable. Over time, the two concepts were combined into the idiom 鼎新革故, encapsulating the philosophy that meaningful reform requires both tearing down the old and building up the new.
💡 Example Usage
企业要长远发展，就必须鼎新革故，淘汰落后产能。
For long-term growth, a company must eliminate the old and establish the new, phasing out outdated production capacity.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 鼎新革故
- Pinyin: dǐng xīn gé gù
- Literal Translation: establish, new, remove, old
- Category: Action
- Characters: 4