驷马高门 — “Refers to a prominent and influential family or household”

驷马高门 is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “refers to a prominent and influential family or household”. An illustrious family with noble lineage. Literally, “Four-horse carriage, high gate”.

Frequency

驷马高门 Pronunciation and Pinyin

驷马高门 Character Breakdown

Stroke Order

Character	Pinyin	Strokes	Meaning
驷	sì	8	team of four horses
马	mǎ	3	horse, big, large
高	gāo	10	high, tall, elevated
门	mén	3	door, gate, entrance

Example Sentence with 驷马高门

小镇上的王家世代经商，家境殷实，可谓是驷马高门，深受当地人的敬仰。

The Wang family in the small town has been in business for generations, with substantial wealth, truly an illustrious household, deeply respected by the locals.

Origin and Story of 驷马高门

During the Western Han Dynasty, Yu Gong, a judicial official in Donghai Commandery, was renowned for his integrity, fairness, and impartiality. He persistently advocated for a filial woman in the commandery who had been wrongly accused, and eventually, under a newly appointed prefect, her case was successfully overturned and she was vindicated.

The local people, in tribute to him, built a 'living shrine' and constructed his family's gate so grand and tall that a four-horse carriage could easily pass through it.

Later, his son Yu Dingguo rose to the position of Grand Minister of Justice, making the Yu family's standing and reputation even more distinguished.