📖 Meaning
This idiom warns that a woman who dresses provocatively or adorns herself with excessive allure invites lustful advances and immoral behavior. It reflects a traditional Confucian admonition against vanity and the dangers of attracting unwanted attention through appearance.
📜 Origin Story
The phrase originates from the 'Xici Shang' (系辞上) commentary of the I Ching (周易), one of the oldest Chinese classics dating back to the Western Zhou dynasty. The full passage reads: '慢藏诲盗，冶容诲淫' — 'Carelessly hoarding valuables teaches others to steal; seductively adorning one's appearance teaches others to lust.' The saying was later referenced by Song dynasty scholar Sun Guangxian in his work 'Beimeng Suoyan' (北梦琐言).
💡 Example Usage
她虽不认同冶容诲淫的陈旧观念，但依然讲究衣着得体。
Though she does not subscribe to the old-fashioned notion that seductive dress invites lewdness, she still values dressing appropriately.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 冶容诲淫
- Pinyin: yě róng huì yín
- Literal Translation: seductive adornment, induce lewdness
- Category: Morality
- Characters: 4