📖 Meaning
Originally describing the vigorous dance movements in the 'Wu' music of the early Zhou dynasty, where dancers moved their limbs energetically and stamped the ground fiercely. It symbolizes the courageous, forward-marching spirit of Taigong Wang when he assisted King Wu of Zhou in overthrowing the Shang dynasty. Today it is used metaphorically to describe someone who is high-spirited, full of fighting will, and advancing with great enthusiasm.
📜 Origin Story
This idiom originates from the 'Record of Music' (《乐记》) chapter in the Book of Rites (《礼记》), a Confucian classic compiled during the Han dynasty. It describes the ritual dance accompanying the 'Wu' (武) music, which was composed in the early Zhou dynasty to celebrate King Wu's victory over the tyrannical King Zhou of Shang. The dancers' vigorous movements — hands and feet flying, stamping fiercely on the ground — were said to embody the spirit of Taigong Wang (太公望, also known as Jiang Ziya), the legendary strategist who served as King Wu's chief advisor. The phrase was later quoted in the Qing dynasty novel 'The Complete Biography of the Flying Dragon' (《飞龙全传》) by Wu Xuan.
💡 Example Usage
将士们发扬蹈厉，一举攻克了敌军的主城。
The soldiers, full of fighting spirit and vigor, captured the enemy's main city in one bold strike.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 发扬蹈厉
- Pinyin: fā yáng dǎo lì
- Literal Translation: rouse, raise, stamp, fierce
- Category: Determination
- Characters: 4