📖 Meaning
When the husband attains high rank and honor, his wife shares in his prestige and glory. It reflects the traditional Confucian view that a woman's social status is derived entirely from her husband's position. The idiom is often used to describe a couple where the husband's success elevates the wife's standing in society.
📜 Origin Story
The idiom first appears in a Tang dynasty epitaph written by Tang Zhengci, titled 'Epitaph for Lady Xiahou, Wife of the Crown Prince's Guest Zhao.' The line reads: '鱼轩象服，夫贵妻荣' (riding in ornate carriages, wearing ceremonial robes — the husband is honored, the wife is glorious). This tomb inscription commemorated Lady Xiahou, wife of a high-ranking Tang official, and the phrase captured the prevailing social norm that a wife's status and dignity were inseparable from her husband's achievements.
💡 Example Usage
夫贵妻荣虽是她当年的梦想，如今却觉索然无味。
Although 'a glorious wife through a noble husband' was once her dream, she now finds it utterly hollow.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 夫贵妻荣
- Pinyin: fū guì qī róng
- Literal Translation: husband, noble, wife, glory
- Category: Status
- Characters: 4