📖 Meaning
Like clouds surging upward and dragons soaring into the sky, this idiom describes heroes and outstanding figures rising to prominence at an opportune moment. It conveys the momentum of talented individuals seizing the times and ascending to power or greatness.
📜 Origin Story
This idiom originates from the 'Hanshu' (Book of Han), specifically the postface to the biographical section compiled by Ban Gu in the Eastern Han dynasty. The line reads: 'Clouds rise and dragons soar, transforming into lords and kings.' It refers to the heroes of the late Qin and early Han period who, amid the chaos of the collapsing Qin dynasty, seized the moment to rise up and establish themselves as regional powers and eventually rulers.
💡 Example Usage
乱世之中，云起龙骧，群雄逐鹿中原。
In times of turmoil, heroes rise like soaring dragons, and warlords vie for control of the central plains.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 云起龙骧
- Pinyin: yún qǐ lóng xiāng
- Literal Translation: clouds, rise, dragon, soar
- Category: Leadership
- Characters: 4