📖 Meaning
A metaphor for being diligent in one's affairs and taking precautions before disaster strikes. It derives from the image of a bird gathering mulberry root bark to reinforce its nest before the rain comes, emphasizing foresight and proactive preparation.
📜 Origin Story
The idiom originates from the Book of Songs (诗经), specifically the poem '鸱鸮' (The Owl) in the '豳风' (Odes of Bin) section, dating to the Western Zhou dynasty. The poem is narrated from the perspective of a mother bird who, anticipating storms, strips mulberry root bark to bind and reinforce the cracks of her nest. The Song dynasty scholar Zhu Xi noted in his commentary that 土 is read as 杜, referring to the root bark of the mulberry tree. The phrase later became a metaphor for taking preventive measures before trouble arises, and the poem is traditionally attributed to the Duke of Zhou.
💡 Example Usage
做事应当桑土绸缪，方能临危不乱。
One should take precautions beforehand, so as to remain calm and composed when danger strikes.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 桑土绸缪
- Pinyin: sāng tǔ chóu miù
- Literal Translation: mulberry, root bark, bind, prepare
- Category: Wisdom
- Characters: 4