These martyrs left their loyal hearts to illuminate history — forever remembered by later generations.
Tips
history
Closing couplet of Wen Tianxiang 文天祥's Southern Song poem 《过零丁洋》: ‘人生自古谁无死，留取丹心照汗青。’ (Since ancient times all men must die — let my loyal heart illuminate the pages of history.) Written after his capture by Mongol forces; he was later executed for refusing to surrender.
usage
汗青 (hànqīng) = literally ‘sweating the green’ — ancient bamboo slips were heated to sweat out moisture before being written on; the word came to mean ‘history / historical record.’ 丹心 = cinnabar-red (loyal) heart.
