📖 Meaning
The joyful and delighted expression on one's face, likened to the happiness shown when enjoying the music of bells and drums. It describes a countenance radiant with genuine pleasure and gladness.
📜 Origin Story
The idiom originates from 'Guanzi: Xiao Wen' (《管子·小问》), a text from the Spring and Autumn period associated with the statesman Guan Zhong of the State of Qi. The original passage states, 'Those who are joyfully delighted — that is the countenance of bells and drums,' comparing a person's happy facial expression to the delight felt when listening to ceremonial music. It was later cited in Song dynasty works such as Li Rong's 'Du Yi Zhi' (《独异志》).
💡 Example Usage
听闻捷报传来，众人脸上尽是钟鼓之色。
Upon hearing the good news, joyful delight was written across everyone's faces.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 钟鼓之色
- Pinyin: zhōng gǔ zhī sè
- Literal Translation: bell, drum, of, countenance
- Category: Emotion
- Characters: 4