晨钟暮鼓 — “The matin bells and vesper drums”

晨钟暮鼓 is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “the matin bells and vesper drums”. A metaphor for words or teachings that serve to awaken or enlighten people, encouraging them to reflect deeply and mend their ways. Literally, “morning bell, evening drum”.

Frequency

晨钟暮鼓 Pronunciation and Pinyin

晨钟暮鼓 Character Breakdown

Stroke Order

Character	Pinyin	Strokes	Meaning
晨	chén	11	early morning; dawn
钟	zhōng	9	bell, clock, hour, concentrate
暮	mù	15	dusk or evening
鼓	gǔ	13	drum, beat, rouse, swell

Example Sentence with 晨钟暮鼓

他的演讲就像晨钟暮鼓，让在场的每个人都对自己的未来有了更清晰的规划。

His speech was like the morning bell and evening drum, inspiring everyone present to have a clearer plan for their future.

Origin and Story of 晨钟暮鼓

The Longmen Grottoes, located near Luoyang, began construction during the Northern Wei Dynasty under Emperor Xiaowen. Along a cliff stretching about one kilometer, nearly a hundred thousand Buddha statues were carved.

The Fengxian Temple, recognized for its highest artistic achievement, houses a majestic 17-meter-tall Vairocana Buddha.

The renowned Tang Dynasty poet Du Fu, in his work 'Touring Fengxian Temple at Longmen,' depicted the monastic life, including the sounds of the 'morning bell and evening drum.' He wrote, 'When I wish to awaken, I hear the morning bell, which causes deep introspection.' This idiom thus originates from the temple's daily routine, symbolizing words or actions that prompt people to reflect and achieve profound understanding or awakening.