諺語 · a single proverb

天tiān羅luó地dì網wǎng

Simplified: 天罗地网

tiān luó dì wǎng

What does 天羅地網 (tiān luó dì wǎng) mean?

天羅地網 (tiān luó dì wǎng) is a four-character classical idiom (chéngyǔ 成語). Word for word it reads "heaven net, earth net." In use it means: A net spread across heaven and earth; an inescapable situation. You reach for it when you want that idea in one breath, and the Metal note it carries is why we hand it to those born in the Year of the Dragon.

Literally: "heaven net, earth net."

The reading

The net of consequences is woven wider than any single person can see from where they stand. What seemed like open space was threaded with invisible lines, and the moment of realization comes only when the net closes. This is why the wise consider carefully, and early.

What kind of proverb it is

Source Yuan Dynasty 元·施耐庵《水滸傳》 (Shuǐ Hǔ Zhuàn, Water Margin)

Sits beside

冬至陽生春又來

dōng zhì yáng shēng chūn yòu lái

At the darkest moment of winter, yang energy is reborn and spring begins its return.

夜長夢多

yè cháng mèng duō

Delay leads to complications.

小洞不補，大洞受苦

xiǎo dòng bù bǔ dà dòng shòu kǔ

Fix small problems before they become large ones.

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 Timing & Fortune's Turning, or follow the years these lines belong to: Year of the Dragon, Year of the Rat, and Year of the Ox.

Questions

Is 天羅地網 a real Chinese proverb?

Yes. 天羅地網 (tiān luó dì wǎng) is a four-character classical idiom (chéngyǔ 成語), and it comes from Yuan Dynasty 元·施耐庵《水滸傳》 (Shuǐ Hǔ Zhuàn, Water Margin). 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 天羅地網?

In Mandarin it is tiān luó dì wǎng. Read the pinyin above each character to follow the tones, or press the speaker beside the calligraphy to hear your browser read 天羅地網 aloud in Mandarin.