Chinese Idiom: 中流砥柱 (Zhong Liu Di Zhu)
English Translation: Pillar in the middle of the river
pīn yīn: zhōng liú dǐ zhù
Idiom Meaning: Refers to a powerful force or person that plays a crucial supporting role in difficult and turbulent situations.
Historical Source: “Yanzi Chunqiu · Neipian Jianxia” (《晏子春秋 · 内篇谏下》)
Idiom Story
According to Li Daoyuan’s “Shuijingzhu” (《水经注》) from the Northern Wei dynasty, there is a mountain called Duzhu Mountain (also known as Dizu Mountain) located in the old course of the Yellow River. In ancient times, this mountain obstructed the river, causing water flow problems. During the Xia dynasty, Yu the Great widened the river channels on both sides of the mountain, allowing the river to flow around it. The mountain stood like a towering stone pillar amidst the turbulent river, hence it was named Duzhu Mountain. The mountain is situated in the middle of the Yellow River near Sanmenxia in Henan Province, with three notable features: Shimen (Divine Gate), Guimen (Ghost Gate), and Renmen (Human Gate).
In “Yanzi Chunqiu · Neipian Jianxia,” there is a phrase “以入砥柱之中流” which translates to “enter the middle of the Duzhu.” Additionally, Yuan Dynasty poet Ding Henian wrote in his poem, “Long Huai Heng Kui Huo Fei Qing, Zuo Jian Zhong Liu Dǐ Zhù Qing” (《自咏诗》中有“长淮横溃祸非轻，坐见中流砥柱倾”句), meaning “the Yellow River in turmoil; seeing the pillar in the middle of the river fall.”
The Yellow River, rushing fiercely eastward, charges towards Duzhu Mountain with a force comparable to a stampede of horses. The towering “pillar” stands firm against the fierce current, unshaken. Therefore, the term “中流砥柱” is used to metaphorically describe a powerful force or person who provides essential support in challenging and unstable environments.
