📖 Meaning
Describes a person of exceptional talent and virtue who chooses to withdraw from worldly affairs and live in reclusive seclusion. The coiled dragon and soaring phoenix evoke hidden greatness — a noble spirit that, though concealed from the world, remains majestic and untamed.
📜 Origin Story
This idiom originates from Su Shi (Su Dongpo), the renowned Song Dynasty poet and statesman, in his ci poem 'Water Dragon Chant' (《水龙吟》). In the poem, Su Shi reflects on the vast, misty sea of clouds and the elusive dwellings of immortals, then turns to the mortal realm, praising the 'Hermit of Red City' (赤城居士) — a figure who embodies the coiled-dragon, soaring-phoenix spirit. The phrase captures the ideal of a sage who, rather than seeking fame or office, embraces quietude, non-action (清净无为), and transcendence through self-cultivation. It reflects the Daoist-influenced literati ideal of reclusion that flourished during the Song era.
💡 Example Usage
他虽才华横溢，却选择龙蟠凤翥，隐居山林数十年。
Though immensely talented, he chose to live as a coiled dragon and soaring phoenix, secluding himself in the mountains for decades.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 龙蟠凤翥
- Pinyin: lóng pán fèng zhù
- Literal Translation: dragon coiled, phoenix soaring
- Category: Lifestyle
- Characters: 4