諺語 · a single proverb
瑞雪兆豐年
Simplified: 瑞雪兆丰年
What does 瑞雪兆豐年 (ruì xuě zhào fēng nián) mean?
瑞雪兆豐年 (ruì xuě zhào fēng nián) is a folk proverb (yànyǔ 諺語). Word for word it reads "Auspicious snow foretells a bountiful year." In use it means: A good snowfall in winter insulates the soil, kills pests, and provides moisture for spring planting. Heavy winter snow is therefore seen as a harbinger of a strong harvest. 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 Dog.
Literally: "Auspicious snow foretells a bountiful year.."
The reading
What appears harsh on the surface often protects something tender underneath. Snow blankets the earth the way silence sometimes shelters thought. The hardest seasons carry hidden gifts that only patience reveals. Not every burden is a punishment; some are a form of quiet preparation.
What kind of proverb it is
Source Classical agricultural proverb; referenced in Han dynasty texts
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 Adversity & Resilience, or follow the years these lines belong to: Year of the Dog, Year of the Rat, and Year of the Ox.
Questions
Is 瑞雪兆豐年 a real Chinese proverb?
Yes. 瑞雪兆豐年 (ruì xuě zhào fēng nián) is a folk proverb (yànyǔ 諺語), and it comes from Classical agricultural proverb; referenced in Han dynasty texts. 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 瑞雪兆豐年?
In Mandarin it is ruì xuě zhào fēng nián. Read the pinyin above each character to follow the tones, or press the speaker beside the calligraphy to hear your browser read 瑞雪兆豐年 aloud in Mandarin.