📖 Meaning
Literally 'like fire, like blooming rush grass.' It originally described the imposing spectacle of a grand army—white like rush flowers, red like flames. Today it is used to describe a large-scale movement or activity that is vigorous and passionately underway.
📜 Origin Story
The phrase comes from the 'Discourses of the States' (国语·吴语), a work compiling speeches and events from the Spring and Autumn period. It records how King Fuchai of Wu arrayed his army in grand formations: the right wing dressed entirely in white—white banners, white armor, white feathered banners—so that seen from afar it looked like a field of white rush flowers ('如荼'). The left wing was dressed entirely in red—red banners, red armor, red feathered banners—so that seen from afar it looked like blazing fire ('如火'). The vivid contrast of white and red conveyed the overwhelming splendor and discipline of the Wu army's military might.
💡 Example Usage
这场如火如荼的运动会吸引了全校师生前来观看。
The vigorously underway sports meet drew the entire school's teachers and students to come watch.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 如火如荼
- Pinyin: rú huǒ rú tú
- Literal Translation: like fire, like white rush flowers
- Category: Power
- Characters: 4