📖 Meaning
A metaphor for holding a high-ranking official position. 'Gold' refers to the gold seal (金印) and 'purple' refers to the purple ribbon (紫绶), both insignia of prestigious office in ancient China. The idiom vividly depicts a high official with a gold seal at his waist and a purple ribbon trailing behind him.
📜 Origin Story
The idiom derives from the ancient Chinese system of official regalia, where high-ranking officials wore gold seals (金印) at their waists and carried purple silk ribbons (紫绶) as insignia of their rank. This practice was firmly established during the Han dynasty, with gold seals and purple ribbons denoting the highest tiers of the imperial court, such as prime ministers and nobles of the top ranks. Over time, the phrase became a literary shorthand in classical poetry and prose for attaining great political power and social prestige through official appointment.
💡 Example Usage
他一生追求功名，只为有朝一日能腰金拖紫，光宗耀祖。
He spent his life pursuing official rank, hoping one day to hold a high office with gold seal and purple ribbon and bring glory to his ancestors.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 腰金拖紫
- Pinyin: yāo jīn tuō zǐ
- Literal Translation: waist, gold, drag, purple
- Category: Status
- Characters: 4