📖 Meaning
A metaphor for achieving sudden success or a dramatic rise in status through passing a difficult trial. It originates from the legend that carp which could leap over the Dragon Gate waterfall would transform into dragons. It is commonly used to describe someone who passes an important examination or attains a lofty position.
📜 Origin Story
According to the 'San Qin Ji' by Xin Shi, the Yellow River passes through a narrow gorge at Hejin called Longmen (Dragon Gate), carved open by the legendary Emperor Yu. Each spring, yellow carp would swim upstream against the current, and any that managed to leap over the gate would transform into a dragon. The Tang dynasty scholar Yuan Bi composed a famous rhapsody titled 'Fu on the Fish Leaping the Dragon Gate,' cementing the tale in literary tradition. Over time the image became a standard metaphor for passing the imperial examinations and rising in social rank.
💡 Example Usage
十年寒窗苦读，他终于金榜题名，如鱼跃龙门般改变了命运。
After ten years of diligent study, he finally passed the imperial examination and, like a fish leaping the Dragon Gate, changed his fate.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 鱼跃龙门
- Pinyin: yú yuè lóng mén
- Literal Translation: fish, leap, dragon, gate
- Category: Success
- Characters: 4