📖 Meaning
Describes hair standing on end from extreme rage, so much so that it seems to pierce through one's hat or crown. It is synonymous with the idiom 发上冲冠 (hair rising to push up the crown). The expression conveys fury so intense that it physically manifests.
📜 Origin Story
The phrase originates from Cao Zhi (曹植), a prince and celebrated poet of the Cao Wei kingdom during the Three Kingdoms period. In the fifth of his 'Five Drum Dance Songs' (鼙舞歌五首), he wrote the line '张目决眦，发怒穿冠' — 'eyes wide open until the corners split, hair standing in anger piercing the crown.' The imagery depicts a warrior or figure consumed with righteous indignation, eyes bulging and hair bristling against his headgear.
💡 Example Usage
听闻此言，他顿时发怒穿冠，拍案而起。
Upon hearing these words, he flew into such a rage that his hair seemed to pierce his hat, and he slammed the table and stood up.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 发怒穿冠
- Pinyin: fà nù chuān guān
- Literal Translation: hair, stand up, anger, pierce, crown
- Category: Emotion
- Characters: 4