📖 Meaning
To raise one's hand to one's forehead in mutual celebration. It expresses the shared joy and congratulation among people upon hearing good news or witnessing a happy occasion.
📜 Origin Story
This idiom originates from the preface of 'Ode to Sweet Dew' (《甘露颂》) by the Ming dynasty scholar-statesman Liu Ji (刘基), also known as Liu Bowen. The preface describes how, upon the appearance of auspicious sweet dew—a sign of divine favor—all officials rejoiced and the common people danced with delight, raising their hands to congratulate one another. Liu Ji was a renowned strategist and advisor to Zhu Yuanzhang, the founding emperor of the Ming dynasty. The phrase thus evokes a scene of collective jubilation and gratitude.
💡 Example Usage
胜利的消息传来，全城百姓无不举手相庆。
When news of the victory arrived, the people throughout the city all raised their hands in celebration.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 举手相庆
- Pinyin: jǔ shǒu xiāng qìng
- Literal Translation: raise hand, mutually, congratulate
- Category: Emotion
- Characters: 4