四旧 (sìjiù): the Four Olds (old ideas, old c…

Meanings

1 the Four Olds (old ideas, old culture, old customs, old habits) — target of destruction during the Cultural Revolution

Characters

四

Examples

文革时期掀起破四旧运动。

Wéngé shíqī xiānqǐ pò sìjiù yùndòng.

During the Cultural Revolution, the Destroy the Four Olds campaign was launched.

许多文物在破四旧中被毁。

Xǔduō wénwù zài pò sìjiù zhōng bèi huǐ.

Many cultural artifacts were destroyed during the Destroy the Four Olds movement.

Tips

history

Coined in 1966 at the start of the Cultural Revolution. The 四旧 referred to: 旧思想 (old ideas), 旧文化 (old culture), 旧风俗 (old customs), 旧习惯 (old habits). Red Guards (红卫兵) used the slogan 破四旧 ('smash the Four Olds') to justify destroying temples, books, art, and persecuting intellectuals.