📖 Meaning
To purify one's mind and body, clearing away distracting thoughts and worries. It is a variant of the idiom 斋心涤虑, describing a state of mental cleansing and focused concentration. The phrase conveys the idea of settling the heart and washing away mental clutter.
📜 Origin Story
No single definitive origin story is recorded for this idiom; it is considered a variant of 斋心涤虑, which has roots in ancient Chinese ritual practices. In traditional culture, fasting and mental purification were required before important ceremonies or prayers to show sincerity. The idiom reflects this Confucian and Daoist emphasis on inner stillness and the removal of worldly distractions before undertaking sacred or significant endeavors.
💡 Example Usage
祭祀之前，他齐心涤虑，以示对神明的虔诚与敬畏。
Before the ritual, he purified his mind and cleared away all distracting thoughts to show his devotion and reverence toward the divine.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 齐心涤虑
- Pinyin: qí xīn dí lǜ
- Literal Translation: unify the mind, cleanse the thoughts
- Category: Clarity
- Characters: 4