📖 Meaning
A heart of unwavering loyalty and devotion. It refers to a sincere, faithful heart that remains steadfast regardless of circumstances. Often used to describe someone's deep loyalty to their country, ruler, or cause.
📜 Origin Story
The phrase traces back to a poem by the Tang dynasty poet Du Fu titled 'Joyfully Drinking with Zheng Guangwen at Prince Zheng's Pool Pavilion,' which contains the line 'White hair a thousand stalks of snow, a single inch of red heart turned to ash.' The 'red heart' (丹心) symbolizes a sincere and loyal heart. Later writers, such as the Song dynasty poet Yang Wanli, adopted the expression to convey steadfast devotion and gratitude.
💡 Example Usage
纵使白发苍苍，他那一寸丹心始终未改。
Even though his hair turned white, his loyal and devoted heart never changed.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 一寸丹心
- Pinyin: yī cùn dān xīn
- Literal Translation: one, inch, red, heart
- Category: Attitude
- Characters: 4