📖 Meaning
To bring glory and honor to one's ancestors and clan lineage. It describes the traditional Chinese ideal of achieving great success—typically through passing imperial examinations or attaining high office—so that one's accomplishments reflect brilliantly upon the family name.
📜 Origin Story
The idiom first appears in the Yuan Dynasty play 'Qujiang Pool' (《曲江池》) by Shi Junbao (石君宝), in the fourth act where a character rejoices upon passing the imperial examination and exclaims about bringing honor to his ancestors. It was later popularized in the Ming Dynasty collection 'Slapping the Table in Amazement, First Collection' (《初刻拍案惊奇》) by Ling Mengchu (凌濛初), in chapter twenty, where an elder remarks that a worthy nephew's success glorifies the family. The phrase encapsulates the Confucian value of filial piety extended to one's entire ancestral line.
💡 Example Usage
他寒窗苦读十年，终于金榜题名，耀祖荣宗。
After ten years of arduous study by a cold window, he finally passed the imperial examination, bringing glory to his ancestors and clan.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 耀祖荣宗
- Pinyin: yào zǔ róng zōng
- Literal Translation: glorify, ancestors, honor, clan
- Category: Success
- Characters: 4