📖 Meaning
This idiom refers to catching a glimpse of excellent governance through just a small sample. Just as a single feather reveals the splendor of a majestic phoenix, a modest example can reflect the virtue of a greater whole. It is used to indicate that a small part hints at the excellence of the entire system.
📜 Origin Story
The idiom draws on the imagery of the majestic phoenix (威凤), a revered mythical bird in Chinese culture that symbolizes virtue, auspiciousness, and good governance. A single feather (一羽) from such a magnificent creature represents seeing only a fraction of something grand and noble. The phrase is used metaphorically to suggest that even a small glimpse can reveal the quality of benevolent rule. No specific classical textual source is recorded for this idiom.
💡 Example Usage
这位清官的善政虽只威凤一羽，已令百姓感念不已。
Though only a single feather of a majestic phoenix, this upright official's good governance already earned the people's lasting gratitude.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 威凤一羽
- Pinyin: wēi fèng yī yǔ
- Literal Translation: majestic, phoenix, one, feather
- Category: Knowledge
- Characters: 4