星星之火 — “A tiny spark”
星星之火 is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “a tiny spark”. Metaphorically, something initially small and insignificant that has the potential to grow into a powerful and widespread phenomenon. Literally, “A tiny spark of fire”.
星星之火 Pronunciation and Pinyin
星星之火 Character Breakdown
Stroke OrderExample Sentence with 星星之火
Origin and Story of 星星之火
During the Ming Dynasty, Grand Secretary Zhang Juzheng appointed the renowned general Qi Jiguang to train soldiers to counter the invasion of Japanese pirates, and also employed Pan Jixun to manage the Yellow River floods.
When rebellions broke out in ethnic minority regions, Zhang Juzheng believed they were instigated by corrupt officials and rogues. He recognized that the rebel forces, though seemingly small, were like 'a tiny spark that could ignite a vast prairie fire.' Therefore, he ordered severe punishment for corrupt officials and tyrannical generals, and swiftly suppressed the uprisings.
Idioms Related to 星星之火
Synonyms of 星星之火
More idioms starting with 星
- xīng星qián前yuè月xià下under the stars and moon
- xīng星bēn奔chuān川wù骛move with extreme speed
- xīng星bēn奔diàn电mài迈move with extreme speed
- xīng星qí旗diàn电jǐ戟magnificent military display
- xīng星xing星zhī之huǒ火，，kě可yǐ以liáo燎yuán原A single spark can start a prairie fire
- xīng星xing星zhī之huǒ火，，suì遂chéng成liáo燎yuán原A single spark can start a prairie fire
- xīng星xing星diǎn点diǎn点scattered here and there
- xīng星xīng星luò落luò落sparse and scattered
- xīng星yuè月jiāo交huī辉stars and moon shining together
- xīng星yuè月jiǎo皎jié洁stars and moon shining brightly
- xīng星qiáo桥huǒ火shù树magnificent display of fireworks and lanterns
- xīng星liú流yǐng影jí集move with lightning speed
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Open the tool →Questions about 星星之火
What does 星星之火 mean?
星星之火 (xīng xing zhī huǒ) is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “a tiny spark”.
How do you pronounce 星星之火?
星星之火 is pronounced xīng xing zhī huǒ in Mandarin Chinese.
What does 星星之火 literally mean?
Literally, 星星之火 means “a tiny spark of fire”. It is used to mean “a tiny spark”.
Where does 星星之火 come from?
星星之火 comes from a classical Chinese story dating back to ancient China. The full story is on this page.
What is the Chinese definition of 星星之火?
一点点小火星。比喻开始时策小，但有远大发展前途的新事物。