天经地义 — “Something that is perfectly natural and right”
天经地义 is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “Something that is perfectly natural and right”. An undeniable and self-evident truth or principle; something that is taken for granted as being correct and unquestionable. Literally, “heaven's constant principles, earth's justice”.
天经地义 Pronunciation and Pinyin
- 天tiān
- 经jīng
- 地dì
- 义yì
天经地义 Character Breakdown
Example Sentence with 天经地义
Origin and Story of 天经地义
The idiom "Tian Jing Di Yi" (天经地义) originates from "Zuo Zhuan, Duke Zhao, 25th Year" (《左传 昭公二十五年》). "Jing" (经) refers to constant principles or norms, and "Yi" (义) refers to justice or righteous principles. The idiom signifies an undeniable truth or a principle that is perfectly natural and right, thus unquestionable.
The story goes that in 520 BC, after King Jing of Zhou (Ji Gui) passed away, his legitimate heir, Crown Prince Ji Jing, born to his principal wife, was supposed to succeed him according to tradition. However, King Jing had previously discussed with the Grand Master Bin Meng his intention to establish his eldest son, Ji Chao, born to a concubine, as the heir. This created a qualification dispute for the succession. As a result, a fierce struggle for the throne erupted within the Zhou royal court.
Under these circumstances, Duke Qing of Jin convened representatives from various vassal states at He Rang to discuss how to restore peace to the royal court. Among those present were Zhao Yang of Jin, You Ji of Zheng, and Le Daxin of Song.
During the meeting, Zhao Yang of Jin sought You Ji of Zheng's explanation of "Li" (礼, propriety/rites). You Ji responded, "Our Grand Master Zichan once said that 'Li' is 'Tian Zhi Jing' (Heaven's constant principles) and 'Di Zhi Yi' (Earth's righteous principles)! It represents the principles prescribed by Heaven and the justice implemented by Earth! It is the foundation for people's actions, unchangeable and beyond doubt." Zhao Yang was very pleased with You Ji's answer and stated that he would always remember this truth. Most representatives from other vassal states also agreed with its validity.
Following this, Zhao Yang proposed that the vassal states should fully support King Jing, providing him with soldiers and provisions, and helping him relocate the royal court back to the royal capital. Later, the Grand Masters of Jin led the armies of various vassal states to help King Jing reclaim his throne, thus ending the succession dispute in the Zhou royal court.
Idioms Related to 天经地义
More idioms starting with 天
- tiān天shàng上rén人jiān间worlds apart
- tiān天shàng上dì地xià下，，wéi惟wǒ我dú独zūn尊supremely arrogant and self-important
- tiān天shàng上tiān天xià下，，wéi惟wǒ我dú独zūn尊Arrogant and self-important
- tiān天shàng上shǎo少yǒu有，，dì地xià下nán难xún寻extremely rare, unique
- tiān天shàng上shí石lín麟a brilliant and talented son
- tiān天shàng上qí麒lín麟praise a son's exceptional talent
- tiān天xià下yī一jiā家universal brotherhood and harmony
- tiān天xià下wèi为yī一The world united
- tiān天xià下wéi为gōng公The world belongs to everyone
- tiān天xià下wéi为jiā家To make the world one's home
- tiān天xià下wéi为lóng笼the world is a confining cage
- tiān天xià下wū乌yā鸦yī一bān般hēi黑all evil is the same everywhere
Questions about 天经地义
- What does 天经地义 mean?
- 天经地义 (tiān jīng dì yì) is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “Something that is perfectly natural and right”.
- How do you pronounce 天经地义?
- 天经地义 is pronounced tiān jīng dì yì in Mandarin Chinese.
- What does 天经地义 literally mean?
- Literally, 天经地义 means “heaven's constant principles, earth's justice”. It is used to mean “Something that is perfectly natural and right”.
- Where does 天经地义 come from?
- 天经地义 comes from a classical Chinese story dating back to ancient China. The full story is on this page.
- What is the Chinese definition of 天经地义?
- 经：规范，原则；义：正理。天地间历久不变的常道。指绝对正确，不能改变的道理。也指理所当然的事。