SuaveG – The Gentle Path

Chinese mythology, folktales, and literature

Three Burrows

  • 高枕无忧 (gāo zhěn wú yōu)

    •

    Ana

    Basic Information Chinese Idiom: 高枕无忧Pinyin: gāo zhěn wú yōuLiteral Meaning: Prop one’s pillow high and sleep without worry. Figurative definition Cultural & historical background This idiom comes directly from the same famous story as “狡兔三窟” (The cunning rabbit has three burrows), recorded in the Warring States Records (Zhanguoce, 《战国策》). The powerful noble Lord Mengchang…

  • Three burrows for a cunning hare: Mengchang Jun and Feng Xuan [Warring States]

    •

    Rob

    This article retells the strategic masterpiece of Feng Xuan, a retainer of Mengchang Jun, one of the “Four Lords of the Warring States.” It details how Feng Xuan secured three “burrows” for his lord’s survival. The narrative illustrates the idiom “a cunning hare has three burrows,” highlighting the Warring States’ philosophy that political security…