熏风解愠

xūn fēng jiě yùn
Literal: "gentle breeze, dispel, resentment"

📖 Meaning

The mild southern breeze dispels worries and resentment, bringing comfort and peace of mind. It metaphorically describes a soothing influence that relieves emotional distress and restores a calm, pleasant mood.

📜 Origin Story

The idiom traces back to the 'Kongzi Jiayu' (School Sayings of Confucius) compiled by Wang Su of Cao Wei during the Three Kingdoms period. It records that the legendary Emperor Shun played a five-stringed zither and composed the 'Ode to the South Wind,' whose verses declared that the gentle southern breeze could relieve his people's grievances. The poem expressed Shun's benevolent wish that virtuous governance would comfort and calm the populace. Over time, the phrase came to symbolize any gentle, soothing influence that dispels anger and brings tranquility.

💡 Example Usage

公园里熏风解愠,游人漫步其间,尽享夏日清凉。

In the park, a gentle breeze dispelled all worries as visitors strolled about, fully enjoying the refreshing coolness of summer.

🏷️ Category

➕ Similar Idioms

➖ Opposite Idioms

🔤 Quick Facts

  • Chinese: 熏风解愠
  • Pinyin: xūn fēng jiě yùn
  • Literal Translation: gentle breeze, dispel, resentment
  • Category: Emotion
  • Characters: 4