Chinese Idiom: 八面威风 (Ba Mian Wei Feng)
English Translation: Eight-Sided Awe
pīn yīn: bā miàn wēi fēng
Idiom Meaning: This idiom describes someone or something that exudes grandeur and authority from all directions, indicating a commanding presence or impressive power.
Historical Source: The Three Battles with Lü Bu by Zheng Dehui (元代郑德辉).
Idiom Story: In the late Yuan Dynasty, widespread corruption and widespread peasant suffering led to numerous uprisings against the Yuan rule. Among the leaders of the peasant revolts was Zhu Yuanzhang (朱元璋), who had successfully captured He Yang (present-day He County, Anhui) and was preparing to advance southward.
During the Spring Festival that year, Zhu Yuanzhang and his general Xu Da (徐达) took a small boat across the Yangtze River from the northern bank. The boat was manned by an elderly couple, and the boatman, knowing that the famous Zhu Yuanzhang was aboard, loudly chanted a celebratory phrase, “The Holy Son of Heaven is guarded by the Six Dragons, and the General exudes eight-sided awe.” Zhu Yuanzhang understood that this was a congratulatory remark meant for an emperor, and he was greatly pleased. He and Xu Da exchanged a smile and light kick, silently expressing their mutual joy.
Later, Zhu Yuanzhang unified China and founded the Ming Dynasty, becoming known in history as the Ming Taizu Emperor. In his gratitude and joy, he sent for the boatman from that year, rewarded him, and even had the boat painted a vermilion red color to honor his contribution.
This story led to the idiom “eight-sided awe,” symbolizing an impressive and authoritative presence from all directions.
