📖 Meaning
The cultural customs and moral teachings handed down from previous generations. It refers to the enduring influence of a bygone era's refined ethos and educational legacy that continues to shape later society.
📜 Origin Story
The phrase originates from the Song dynasty scholar Ye Shi (叶適) in his essay 'Record of Rebuilding the School in Jintan County' (金坛县重建学记). Ye Shi observed that Jingkou (present-day Zhenjiang) had long been a fiercely contested military stronghold in the Jiangnan region, and its people were renowned for their cunning and martial valor. He lamented, however, that the refined customs and moral teachings bequeathed by the ancients were nowhere to be found there, using the phrase to contrast martial ambition with neglected cultural heritage.
💡 Example Usage
这座古城至今仍保留着先贤的遗风余教。
This ancient city still preserves the cultural customs and moral teachings bequeathed by its sages.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 遗风余教
- Pinyin: yí fēng yú jiào
- Literal Translation: bequeathed customs, remaining teachings
- Category: Morality
- Characters: 4