📖 Meaning
This idiom is a metaphor for war and armed battle. It also vividly describes the heroic sight of soldiers gripping weapons and riding horses into combat. It is essentially a variant of the idiom 金戈铁马 (golden spears and iron steeds).
📜 Origin Story
The phrase comes from Act 3 of the Yuan dynasty play 'Two Destinies of Marriage' (《两世姻缘》) by the playwright Qiao Ji (乔吉). In the quoted passage a character is described as commanding troops with golden spears and iron armor, attended by drums and bamboo pipes. The speaker notes that although this man has broken the law, he himself has no sword or executioner's blade to oppose such an imposing armed retinue. The scene uses the glittering war gear to evoke the pageantry and menace of military power.
💡 Example Usage
战鼓声中，将士们金戈铁甲，列阵以待。
Amid the thunder of war drums, the soldiers stood in golden spears and iron armor, arrayed and ready for battle.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 金戈铁甲
- Pinyin: jīn gē tiě jiǎ
- Literal Translation: gold, spear, iron, armor
- Category: Action
- Characters: 4