手把红旗旗不湿

手把紅旗旗不濕
shǒu bǎ hóngqí qí bù shī
quotation

Meanings

  1. 1 holding the red flag high, the flag stays dry
  2. 2 a praise of skilled tide-riders who master the waves
  3. 3 (lit.) hand gripping red flag, the flag not wet

Examples

HSK 7-9
Tā zài fēngkǒu-làngjiān shàng gàn shìyè, shǒu bǎ hóngqí qí bù shī.
He builds his career on the crest of the waves - red flag aloft, never wetted.
HSK 7-9
Nòngcháo'ér shǒu bǎ hóngqí qí bù shī, lìngrén pèifú.
The tide-surfer keeps his red flag dry above the waves - truly admirable.

Tips

history
From Pan Lang's (潘阆, Northern Song) 《酒泉子·长忆观潮》, describing the Qiantang tide-surfers of Hangzhou: 弄潮儿向涛头立,手把红旗旗不湿. (The tide-surfer stands atop the breakers, gripping the red flag, and the flag stays dry.) A famous image of fearless skill amid natural fury.
usage
The first is the red flag as object of ; the second repeats it as the subject of 不湿 - a stylistic reduplication common in song lyrics. Often cited as praise for poised leaders in turbulent markets or politics.

Stroke Order

shǒu
hóng
湿 shī