heaven and earth; the deities of heaven and earth
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 3 examplesnoun
heaven and earth; the deities of heaven and earth
literaryAn ancient, formal idiom often used in solemn oaths, prayers, or classical writings to invoke the ultimate witnesses and arbiters of justice. It carries a deeply reverential and archaic tone.
Wǒ我
xiàng向
huáng皇
tiān天
hòu后
tǔ土
fā发
shì誓
，
cǐ此
shēng生
jué绝
bù不
fù负
nǐ你
。
I swear to heaven and earth that I will never betray you in this life.
Gǔ古
rén人
zài在
zhòng重
yào要
qì契
yuē约
shàng上
cháng常
xiě写
“
huáng皇
tiān天
hòu后
tǔ土
，
shí实
suǒ所
gòng共
jiàn鉴
”
。
Ancient people often wrote 'May heaven and earth bear witness' on important contracts.
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Jì祭
wén文
zhōng中
xiě写
dào道
：
“
Jǐn谨
yǐ以
qīng清
zhuó酌
shù庶
xiū馐
，
jì祭
gào告
yú于
huáng皇
tiān天
hòu后
tǔ土
zhī之
qián前
。
”
The memorial essay states: 'I respectfully offer pure wine and various delicacies, reporting before the deities of heaven and earth.'