諺語 · a single proverb

八bā仙xiān過guò海hǎi——gè——各xiǎn顯shén神tōng通

Simplified: 八仙过海——各显神通

bā xiān guò hǎi——gè xiǎn shén tōng

What does 八仙過海——各顯神通 (bā xiān guò hǎi——gè xiǎn shén tōng) mean?

八仙過海——各顯神通 (bā xiān guò hǎi——gè xiǎn shén tōng) is a two-part riddle-saying (xiēhòuyǔ 歇後語). Word for word it reads "The Eight Immortals crossing the sea-each displaying their divine powers." In use it means: Everyone contributes their own unique talent to solve a common problem. Celebrates diverse skills working toward a shared goal. You reach for it when you want that idea in one breath, and the Water note it carries is why we hand it to those born in the Year of the Dragon.

Literally: "The Eight Immortals crossing the sea-each displaying their divine powers.."

The reading

No single ability can carry a group across deep water; it takes the full range of what everyone knows. The sea does not care about rank or seniority, only about what each person can actually do. Collaboration built on genuine difference is stronger than agreement built on sameness. Pride in one's own skill matters less than willingness to let others use theirs. The crossing succeeds because no one tries to be all eight.

What kind of proverb it is

Source Daoist mythology, one of the most famous xiehouyu

Sits beside

冰清玉潔

bīng qīng yù jié

Spotless and pure character.

張三李四

zhāng sān lǐ sì

Any random person.

忙中不忘善

máng zhōng bù wàng shàn

Even in the middle of busy activity, do not forget to act with kindness.

Keep reading

Return to the Proverb Pond to draw another of the eighty-seven, or hear one read aloud. Read the rest of its chapter in Harmony, Virtue & Balance, or follow the years these lines belong to: Year of the Dragon, Year of the Rat, and Year of the Ox.

Questions

Is 八仙過海——各顯神通 a real Chinese proverb?

Yes. 八仙過海——各顯神通 (bā xiān guò hǎi——gè xiǎn shén tōng) is a two-part riddle-saying (xiēhòuyǔ 歇後語), and it comes from Daoist mythology, one of the most famous xiehouyu. It is living Chinese heritage, given here with per-character pinyin and its source so you can trust the line, not a phrase invented in English.

How do you pronounce 八仙過海——各顯神通?

In Mandarin it is bā xiān guò hǎi——gè xiǎn shén tōng. Read the pinyin above each character to follow the tones, or press the speaker beside the calligraphy to hear your browser read 八仙過海——各顯神通 aloud in Mandarin.