Chinese Idiom: 风起云涌 (Feng Qi Yun Yong)
English Translation: Surge of Activity or Events
pīn yīn: fēng qǐ yún yǒng
Idiom Meaning: This idiom vividly describes the dramatic rise of events or movements, akin to how wind stirs up the clouds into a tumultuous surge. It can also imply a situation where many elements come together with great momentum and impact.
Historical Source: Su Shi’s Later Ode to the Red Cliffs (《后赤壁赋》) from the Song Dynasty.
Idiom Story
The idiom “风起云涌” is derived from Su Shi’s poem Later Ode to the Red Cliffs (《后赤壁赋》), written three months after his earlier work, Ode to the Red Cliffs (《前赤壁赋》). In this poem, Su Shi describes a winter night at the Red Cliffs in Huanggang, reflecting on the vast and somber landscape. The imagery conveys a sense of overwhelming power and movement in nature, leading to the metaphorical use of “风起云涌.”
The poem describes Su Shi’s solitary ascent and the imposing natural features he encounters:
“予乃摄衣而上，履巉岩，披蒙茸，踞虎豹，登虬龙，攀栖鹘之危巢，俯冯夷之幽宫，盖二客不能从焉。划然长啸，草木震动，山鸣谷应，风起水涌。予亦悄然而悲，肃然而恐，凛乎其不可留也。”
Translation:
“I then lifted my clothes and climbed up, stepping on the steep cliffs, parting the tangled wild grass, sitting on stones shaped like tigers and leopards, climbing ancient trees twisted like dragons, and overlooking the deep palace of the river god. My two companions could not follow. Suddenly, a long howl pierced the sky, causing the grass and trees to tremble, echoes to ring through the valleys, and the wind to rise, with waves surging. My heart also felt a sudden sadness and fear, overwhelmed by the chilling and awe-inspiring atmosphere.”
In this passage, “风起水涌” (wind rising and waves surging) captures the powerful natural forces and the profound emotional impact they have on Su Shi. Over time, this phrase was generalized to “风起云涌,” symbolizing a powerful surge of events or movements, often reflecting significant and dynamic changes in a broader context.
