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一蓑烟雨任平生

一蓑煙雨任平生
yīsuōyānyǔrènpíngshēng
phrase

Meanings

  1. 1 in a single straw cape, let a life of mist and rain come as it may
  2. 2 to face life's storms with equanimity
  3. 3 (lit.) one straw raincoat, misty rain, letting life be

Examples

他退休后隐居山村，一蓑烟雨任平生，悠然自得。
Tā tuìxiū hòu yǐnjū shāncūn, yī suō yānyǔ rèn píngshēng, yōurán zìdé.
After retiring, he lived quietly in a mountain village, letting life's storms pass in a straw cape — serene and content.
面对风波，他选择一蓑烟雨任平生的态度。
Miànduì fēngbō, tā xuǎnzé yī suō yānyǔ rèn píngshēng de tàidù.
Facing the turmoil, he chose the attitude of 'letting life's mist and rain wash over him in a straw cape.'

Tips

history
From Su Shi's (苏轼, Northern Song) 《定风波·莫听穿林打叶声》(1082): 竹杖芒鞋轻胜马，谁怕？一蓑烟雨任平生。(With bamboo staff and straw sandals, lighter than any horse — who fears? In one straw cape, let a life of mist and rain come.) Written during exile in Huangzhou after the 乌台诗案 literary inquisition — a manifesto of Zen-inflected equanimity.
usage
蓑 (suō) is a straw/palm-fibre rain cape worn by fishermen and farmers — an image of hermit simplicity. Frequently tattooed, calligraphed, or used as a screen name by people aiming for a Dao-influenced 'let it roll' stance.

Stroke Order

一 yī
蓑 suō
烟 yān
雨 yǔ
任 rèn
平 píng
生 shēng