一苇渡江
yī wěi dù jiāng
to cross the river on a single reed (the legend of Bodhidharma); a marvellous feat of faith or skill
Character by character
一yī
one
one
苇wěi
reed
reed
渡dù
cross
cross
江jiāng
river
river
Example
这幅画画的是达摩一苇渡江：他站在一根芦苇上，江面上风浪很大，他却神态安详。
The painting shows Bodhidharma crossing the river on a reed: he stands on a single stem, and though the wind whips up the waves, his face is calm.
Tone: neutral.
Usage and origin
Legend says that after a disappointing meeting with Emperor Wu of Liang in Nanjing, Bodhidharma broke off a reed and floated across the Yangtze on it to the north, on his way to Shaolin. The phrase also echoes 《诗经》: 谁谓河广？一苇杭之 “Who says the river is wide? A single reed will cross it.” Mostly used of the legend itself, in paintings, carvings and kung fu shows (达摩一苇渡江图); now and then of a crossing or a feat so light it seems magical.
Learn this in Lesson 244 · HSK 9+: 少林寺 (The Shaolin Temple)
A dialogue, a reading, word cards with audio and a drill that uses it, in Learn Chinese with Bao. The first lessons of every level are free.
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