Chinese Idiom: 黄袍加身 (Huang Pao Jia Shen)
English Translation: Donning the yellow robe
pīn yīn: huáng páo jiā shēn
Idiom Meaning: This idiom refers to being crowned or recognized as an emperor. The “yellow robe” symbolizes the imperial attire of ancient Chinese emperors.
Historical Source: From the 宋史 (History of the Song) in the biography of Emperor Taizu.
Idiom Story:
During the late Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period, there was a capable emperor of the Later Zhou dynasty named Chai Rong (周世宗). He implemented reforms and successfully conquered various regions, laying the groundwork for the future unification of China under the Northern Song dynasty.
Among his officials, Zhao Kuangyin, who came from a military background, was highly favored and was promoted to the military governor of the Yicheng Army, as well as the commander of the imperial guards. In the spring of 959, when Emperor Chai Rong personally led a campaign against the Khitan in the north, he fell ill after winning several battles. Due to his sickness, he had to return to the capital, Bianliang (modern-day Kaifeng).
Shortly thereafter, Chai Rong passed away at the age of thirty-nine, leaving behind a seven-year-old son, Chai Zongxun, as the new emperor, and the young widow Fu as the empress dowager. Following the new emperor’s ascension, Zhao Kuangyin was assigned to defend the capital while holding multiple military posts.
In 960, Zhao Kuangyin conspired with his associates to stage a coup, known as the “Chenqiao Mutiny.” On New Year’s Day, they spread rumors that the young emperor was vulnerable to external threats. The empress dowager, misled by the chancellor Fan Zhi, ordered Zhao Kuangyin to lead an army to the north.
When Zhao Kuangyin reached Chenqiao, just twenty miles north of Kaifeng, he set up camp for the night. Under the cover of darkness, Zhao Pu and Zhao Kuangyin’s brother, Zhao Kuangyi, orchestrated a plan. At the fifth watch of the night, the soldiers gathered and proclaimed, “The army has no leader; we wish to support the Grand Marshal as our emperor.” Before Zhao Kuangyin could respond, they draped him in the prepared yellow robe of the emperor. The soldiers bowed and shouted, “Long live the emperor!”
Zhao Kuangyin initially refused, stating, “I have received the nation’s grace; I cannot commit such an unjust act.” However, Zhao Pu insisted, “This is the will of Heaven and the people’s desire. You must not decline. As long as you treat the young emperor and the empress dowager kindly, you will repay the kindness of our late emperor.”
Reluctantly, Zhao Kuangyin agreed and led his troops back to Kaifeng, where he pressured the young emperor Chai Zongxun to abdicate in his favor. Zhao Kuangyin established the Song dynasty, later known as Emperor Taizu of Song.
After his ascension, he conferred the title of Duke of Zheng on the young Chai Zongxun and the title of Empress Dowager on Fu, moving them to the West Palace.
This story gives rise to the idiom “黄袍加身,” symbolizing the moment one is granted power and authority, akin to being crowned an emperor.
