諺語 · a single proverb
引火自焚
What does 引火自焚 (yǐn huǒ zì fén) mean?
引火自焚 (yǐn huǒ zì fén) is a four-character classical idiom (chéngyǔ 成語). Word for word it reads "attracting fire to burn yourself." In use it means: Bringing destruction upon yourself through your own actions; the consequences you invited are now consuming you. 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 Snake.
Literally: "attracting fire to burn yourself."
The reading
The fire was not an accident. You lit the match, pointed it at your own house, and are now surprised by the heat. Self-caused destruction has a particular sting: you cannot blame the fire because you are the one who introduced it to the fuel.
What kind of proverb it is
Source Common literary expression; historical cautionary tales
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 Wisdom & Learning, or follow the years these lines belong to: Year of the Snake, Year of the Rat, and Year of the Ox.
Questions
Is 引火自焚 a real Chinese proverb?
Yes. 引火自焚 (yǐn huǒ zì fén) is a four-character classical idiom (chéngyǔ 成語), and it comes from Common literary expression; historical cautionary tales. 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 引火自焚?
In Mandarin it is yǐn huǒ zì fén. Read the pinyin above each character to follow the tones, or press the speaker beside the calligraphy to hear your browser read 引火自焚 aloud in Mandarin.