📖 Meaning
To seal up bestowed gold and hang up one's official seal, symbolizing the rejection of material rewards and the resignation from an official post. It describes a person of unwavering integrity who cannot be swayed by wealth or rank. The idiom honors those who choose principle over personal gain.
📜 Origin Story
This idiom originates from Chapter 27 of the Ming dynasty novel 'Romance of the Three Kingdoms' (《三国演义》). The warrior Guan Yu (关羽), also known as Yun Chang (云长), had been temporarily serving under the warlord Cao Cao (曹操). When Guan Yu learned that his sworn brother Liu Bei was still alive, he resolved to leave Cao Cao's service. Before departing, Guan Yu sealed up all the gold and gifts Cao Cao had given him, hung up his official seal, and left without taking anything — demonstrating his absolute loyalty and incorruptibility.
💡 Example Usage
他封金挂印，两袖清风地离开了官场。
He sealed up the gold, hung up his seal, and left the political arena with clean hands.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 封金挂印
- Pinyin: fēng jīn guà yìn
- Literal Translation: seal gold, hang up seal
- Category: Morality
- Characters: 4