諺語 · a single proverb
心想事成
What does 心想事成 (xīn xiǎng shì chéng) mean?
心想事成 (xīn xiǎng shì chéng) is a four-character classical idiom (chéngyǔ 成語). Word for word it reads "what the heart wishes, comes to pass." In use it means: A blessing that your deepest desires be realized; the hope that reality aligns with intention. 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 Dragon.
Literally: "what the heart wishes, comes to pass."
The reading
Not every wish comes true. But the ones that do often trace back to a moment when the wanting became specific enough to organize action around. The heart does not command the universe. It commands the person, and the person commands their day, and enough commanded days eventually resemble the wish.
What kind of proverb it is
Source Common New Year and life blessing; folk culture
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.
太公釣魚，願者上鉤
tài gōng diào yú yuàn zhě shàng gōu
The best way to attract people is not through trickery but through genuine worth.
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 心想事成 a real Chinese proverb?
Yes. 心想事成 (xīn xiǎng shì chéng) is a four-character classical idiom (chéngyǔ 成語), and it comes from Common New Year and life blessing; folk culture. 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 心想事成?
In Mandarin it is xīn xiǎng shì chéng. Read the pinyin above each character to follow the tones, or press the speaker beside the calligraphy to hear your browser read 心想事成 aloud in Mandarin.