諺語 · a single proverb
天衣無縫
Simplified: 天衣无缝
What does 天衣無縫 (tiān yī wú féng) mean?
天衣無縫 (tiān yī wú féng) is a four-character classical idiom (chéngyǔ 成語). Word for word it reads "heavenly garments have no seams." In use it means: Something so perfectly made that no joins or flaws are visible. Flawless execution. 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 Snake.
Literally: "heavenly garments have no seams."
The reading
A mortal asked a celestial being about her robe. She said it had no seams because it was not sewn. It was grown. The highest quality work looks effortless because the process that made it left no marks. You cannot see the stitches because there are none.
What kind of proverb it is
Source Taiping Guangji 太平廣記 (Song dynasty collection)
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 Wealth, Work & Diligence, or follow the years these lines belong to: Year of the Snake, Year of the Rat, and Year of the Ox.
Questions
Is 天衣無縫 a real Chinese proverb?
Yes. 天衣無縫 (tiān yī wú féng) is a four-character classical idiom (chéngyǔ 成語), and it comes from Taiping Guangji 太平廣記 (Song dynasty collection). 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 天衣無縫?
In Mandarin it is tiān yī wú féng. Read the pinyin above each character to follow the tones, or press the speaker beside the calligraphy to hear your browser read 天衣無縫 aloud in Mandarin.