Koi Leaping The Dragon Gate

Monday, January 5, 2026

"鲤鱼跃龙门" (lǐ yú yuè lóng mén) is a Chinese idiom that symbolizes a carp's journey as it swims upstream, through a waterfall, and eventually transforms into a dragon. This article explores the meaning, inspiration, and modern relevance of this idiom through a captivating story.

The Story:

In a serene river nestled in a picturesque valley, there lived a small and unremarkable carp named Li. Li was an ambitious fish who dreamt of greatness. She had heard tales of the mythical 龙（lóng）Dragon Gate waterfall, where it was believed that if a carp could swim upstream and leap over the powerful waterfall, it would transform into a mighty dragon.

Despite her small size and the daunting challenge ahead, Li's determination was unwavering. With each leap, she faced powerful currents and cascading waters. It was a grueling journey, but Li refused to give up. She relentlessly jumped, striving to reach the Dragon Gate.

As she approached the waterfall's peak, Li summoned every ounce of strength and leaped with all her might. With a triumphant jump, she successfully crossed the Dragon Gate. Li's transformation into a dragon was both symbolic and inspiring. It signified that even the humblest beings, with determination and effort, could overcome obstacles and achieve greatness.

龙（lóng），noun，dragon

The dragon in the story was fierce and powerful. 
故事中的龙凶猛而强大。
Gùshì zhōng de lóng xiōngměng ér qiángdà.

The Chinese New Year parade featured a colorful dragon. 
中国新年游行有彩色的龙。
Zhōngguó xīnnián yóuxíng yǒu cǎisè de lóng.

Inspiration:

The tale of "鲤鱼跃龙门" inspires us to overcome adversity, work tirelessly towards our goals, and believe in our potential for transformation and greatness.

Meaning of the Idiom:

"鲤鱼跃龙门" refers to the process of overcoming challenges and obstacles to 实现（shíxiàn）achieve remarkable success or transformation.

实现（shíxiàn），verb，achieve

She worked hard to achieve her dream of becoming a doctor. 
她努力工作以实现成为医生的梦想。
Tā nǔlì gōngzuò yǐ shíxiàn chéngwéi yīshēng de mèngxiǎng.

Setting goals helps people achieve success in life. 
设定目标帮助人们在生活中实现成功。
Shèdìng mùbiāo bāngzhù rénmen zài shēnghuó zhōng shíxiàn chénggōng.

Modern Application:
In the modern world, "鲤鱼跃龙门" encourages individuals to persevere through challenges, aim high, and believe in their capacity for personal growth and achievement.

She worked hard and finally "carp leaping over the dragon gate."
她努力工作，最终鲤鱼跃龙门。
Tā nǔlì gōngzuò, zuìzhōng lǐyú yuè lóngmén.

Their perseverance helped them "carp leaping over the dragon gate."
他们的坚持使他们鲤鱼跃龙门。
Tāmen de jiānchí shǐ tāmen lǐyú yuè lóngmén.

With discipline, he achieved "carp leaping over the dragon gate."
凭着自律，他做到了鲤鱼跃龙门。
Píngzhe zìlǜ, tā zuò dàole lǐyú yuè lóngmén.

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