瓜蔓抄 — “Melon vine search/confiscation”
瓜蔓抄 is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “to punish excessively by implicating many innocent people related to an offender; guilt by extensive association; collective punishment extending to all associated individuals”. Literally, “melon vine search/confiscation”.
瓜蔓抄 Pronunciation and Pinyin
瓜蔓抄 Character Breakdown
Stroke OrderExample Sentence with 瓜蔓抄
Origin and Story of 瓜蔓抄
During the reign of Emperor Chengzu of the Ming Dynasty, a high-ranking official named Jing Qing harbored a deep grudge. He plotted to assassinate Emperor Chengzu (Zhu Di) in court, seeking revenge for Emperor Jianwen (Zhu Yunwen), whom Zhu Di had overthrown.
His attempt, however, was discovered. Enraged, Emperor Chengzu ordered Jing Qing to be executed by dismemberment.
Still not satisfied, he then extended the punishment to Jing Qing's entire family, having them all killed. Not stopping there, his wrath led to the execution of all people associated with Jing Qing, including his relatives, neighbors, and even all residents of his village, turning the once-thriving community into ruins.
This horrific act of extreme collective punishment, where guilt spread like a melon vine, became known as "Guaman Chao."
Idioms Related to 瓜蔓抄
More idioms starting with 瓜
- guā瓜dài代zhī之qī期end of one's tenure
- guā瓜fēn分dòu豆pōu剖to be carved up and partitioned
- guā瓜fēn分dǐng鼎zhì峙divided and confronting factions
- guā瓜pōu剖qí棋bù布orderly division and distribution
- guā瓜pōu剖dòu豆fēn分divided into many smaller parts
- guā瓜qū区dòu豆fēn分clearly demarcated and categorized
- guā瓜zì字chū初fēn分a girl's sixteenth birthday
- guā瓜lǐ李zhī之xián嫌to be in a suspicious situation
- guā瓜shú熟dì蒂luò落Success comes naturally when conditions are ripe
- guā瓜dié瓞mián绵mián绵continuous prosperity with many descendants
- guā瓜tián田bù不nà纳lǚ履，，lǐ李xià下bù不zhěng整guān冠Avoid suspicion
- guā瓜tián田bù不nà纳lǚ履，，lǐ李xià下bù不zhèng正guān冠Avoid suspicion
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Open the tool →Questions about 瓜蔓抄
What does 瓜蔓抄 mean?
瓜蔓抄 (guā wàn chāo) is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “to punish excessively by implicating many innocent people related to an offender; guilt by extensive association; collective punishment extending to all associated individuals”.
How do you pronounce 瓜蔓抄?
瓜蔓抄 is pronounced guā wàn chāo in Mandarin Chinese.
What does 瓜蔓抄 literally mean?
Literally, 瓜蔓抄 means “melon vine search/confiscation”. It is used to mean “to punish excessively by implicating many innocent people related to an offender; guilt by extensive association; collective punishment extending to all associated individuals”.
Where does 瓜蔓抄 come from?
瓜蔓抄 comes from a classical Chinese story dating back to ancient China. The full story is on this page.
What is the Chinese definition of 瓜蔓抄?
形容刑罚过度株连，一人有罪，株连九族