📖 Meaning
巾帼 refers to the head ornaments and hair accessories worn by women in ancient times, and by extension refers to women. The phrase means a heroine—a woman who displays extraordinary courage, ability, or leadership, standing out as a hero among women.
📜 Origin Story
The term 巾帼 originally referred to the kerchief and hair ornaments worn by ancient Chinese women, and over time came to serve as a metonym for women in general. The full phrase appears in Qing dynasty writer Xiang Lingzi's work Xuān Tíng Yuān (轩亭冤), specifically in the chapter 'Admiring Flowers' (赏花), which contrasts the old world order with the new, calling upon heroines to challenge the gates of heaven. It has since become a standard term for praising remarkable women throughout Chinese history, such as Hua Mulan and Mu Guiying.
💡 Example Usage
穆桂英是民间传说中家喻户晓的巾帼英雄。
Mu Guiying is a household-name heroine in Chinese folklore.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 巾帼英雄
- Pinyin: jīn guó yīng xióng
- Literal Translation: jīn, woman's, head-dress, hero, brave
- Category: Leadership
- Characters: 4