改弦更张 — “Change strings and retune”
改弦更张 is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “to replace the old strings of a musical instrument with new ones to achieve harmony; metaphorically, to reform an old system, policy, or method, or to change a plan to adapt to new circumstances and achieve better results”. Literally, “Change strings and retune”.
改弦更张 Pronunciation and Pinyin
- 改gǎi
- 弦xián
- 更gēng
- 张zhāng
改弦更张 Character Breakdown
Example Sentence with 改弦更张
Origin and Story of 改弦更张
During the Western Han Dynasty, there was a renowned philosopher and master of New Text Confucianism named Dong Zhongshu, who hailed from Guangchuan (today's eastern Zaoqiang, Hebei). He was exceptionally diligent in his studies, dedicating himself to books all day long in his study, so much so that he neglected to even glance at the garden nearby for two or three years.
Later, he specialized in the 'Gongyang Commentary on the Spring and Autumn Annals' and served as an academician (Boshi), Chancellor of Jiangdu (Jiangdu Xiang), and Chancellor to the King of Jiaoxi (Jiaoxi Wang Xiang). At that time, Emperor Wu of Han invited virtuous and learned individuals to offer suggestions on governance.
Dong Zhongshu stated that the Han Dynasty, succeeding the Qin, found many of Qin's old institutions unsuitable. He likened it to the strings of a zither becoming old and worn, unable to produce harmonious sounds, thus requiring removal and replacement with new strings before the instrument could be played. Policies and systems, he argued, were the same. If they proved ineffective, they must be reformed to achieve positive outcomes. If one should change the strings but fails to do so, even the most skilled musician cannot play a beautiful melody; similarly, if reforms are needed but not implemented, even the wisest statesman cannot achieve satisfactory results.
Dong Zhongshu also advised Emperor Wu of Han: 'All doctrines not belonging to the Six Arts (i.e., The Rites, The Music, The Odes, The Book of Documents, The Book of Changes, and The Spring and Autumn Annals) and the teachings of Confucius should be suppressed, and not allowed to coexist.' These proposals were adopted by Emperor Wu, establishing a precedent for Confucianism to become the orthodox ideology for over two millennia of feudal society.
Idioms Related to 改弦更张
Antonyms of 改弦更张
More idioms starting with 改
- gǎi改sú俗qiān迁fēng风change customs and habits
- gǎi改kǒu口tà沓shé舌go back on one's word
- gǎi改míng名huàn换xìng姓change one's name and identity
- gǎi改míng名yì易xìng姓change one's name and surname
- gǎi改tiān天huàn换dì地to transform completely
- gǎi改tóu头huàn换wěi尾make superficial changes
- gǎi改tóu头huàn换miàn面make superficial changes
- gǎi改xìng姓yì易dài代change ruling dynasty or system
- gǎi改xìng姓gēng更míng名change one's name to conceal identity
- gǎi改róng容yì易mào貌change one's appearance completely
- gǎi改róng容gèng更mào貌change one's appearance or demeanor
- gǎi改zhāng张yì易diào调change one's approach or policy
Questions about 改弦更张
- What does 改弦更张 mean?
- 改弦更张 (gǎi xián gēng zhāng) is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “to replace the old strings of a musical instrument with new ones to achieve harmony; metaphorically, to reform an old system, policy, or method, or to change a plan to adapt to new circumstances and achieve better results”.
- How do you pronounce 改弦更张?
- 改弦更张 is pronounced gǎi xián gēng zhāng in Mandarin Chinese.
- What does 改弦更张 literally mean?
- Literally, 改弦更张 means “Change strings and retune”. It is used to mean “to replace the old strings of a musical instrument with new ones to achieve harmony; metaphorically, to reform an old system, policy, or method, or to change a plan to adapt to new circumstances and achieve better results”.
- Where does 改弦更张 come from?
- 改弦更张 comes from a classical Chinese story dating back to ancient China. The full story is on this page.
- What is the Chinese definition of 改弦更张?
- 更：改换；张：给乐器上弦。改换、调整乐器上的弦，使声音和谐。比喻改革制度或变更计划、方法。