歃血为盟

歃血為盟

shàxuèwéiméng

idiom #48,358

Meanings

1 to smear the lips with blood when taking an oath
2 to swear a sacred blood oath

Characters

to sip; to smear blood on lips

Examples

古代诸侯结盟时往往要歃血为盟。

Gǔdài zhūhóu jiéméng shí wǎngwǎng yào shàxuèwéiméng.

In ancient times, lords often sealed alliances with a blood oath.

兄弟几人歃血为盟，誓死同进退。

Xiōngdì jǐ rén shàxuèwéiméng, shìsǐ tóng jìntuì.

The brothers sealed their pact in blood and swore to advance and retreat together to the death.

Tips

history

Recorded in 《史记·平原君虞卿列传》(Records of the Grand Historian, biography of Lord Pingyuan), where Mao Sui forces the King of Chu into a blood oath at sword-point. In ancient ceremonies, parties would smear sacrificial animal blood (rooster, dog, or horse) on their lips to signify the oath was binding under heaven.

culture

Common in wuxia novels and historical drama as the most solemn form of pact between sworn brothers or military allies.

Stroke Order

歃 shà

血 xuè

为 wèi

盟 méng