諺語 · a single proverb
飛蛾撲火
Simplified: 飞蛾扑火
What does 飛蛾撲火 (fēi é pū huǒ) mean?
飛蛾撲火 (fēi é pū huǒ) is a four-character classical idiom (chéngyǔ 成語). Word for word it reads "A moth flies into the flame." In use it means: Rushing headlong toward self-destruction, drawn by something irresistible. Can describe fatal attraction, reckless passion, or suicidal bravery. You reach for it when you want that idea in one breath, and the Fire note it carries is why we hand it to those born in the Year of the Horse.
Literally: "A moth flies into the flame.."
The reading
The moth does not see the fire as death. It sees it as the brightest thing in the darkness, and brightness is the only language the moth understands. We judge the moth, but how often do we fly toward our own bright thing without asking whether it will burn us? The question is never whether the light is beautiful. It is whether you can stand near it without becoming fuel.
What kind of proverb it is
Source 《梁书·到溉传》(Book of Liang), classical idiom
Sits beside
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 Courage & Decisive Action, or follow the years these lines belong to: Year of the Horse, Year of the Rat, and Year of the Ox.
Questions
Is 飛蛾撲火 a real Chinese proverb?
Yes. 飛蛾撲火 (fēi é pū huǒ) is a four-character classical idiom (chéngyǔ 成語), and it comes from 《梁书·到溉传》(Book of Liang), classical idiom. 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 飛蛾撲火?
In Mandarin it is fēi é pū huǒ. Read the pinyin above each character to follow the tones, or press the speaker beside the calligraphy to hear your browser read 飛蛾撲火 aloud in Mandarin.