Chasing the wind and catching shadows. It is said that there is no exact factual basis for what is said or done, or there is nothing to do with it.
Idiom Pronunciation:
捕风捉影
bǔ fēng zhuō yǐng
Origin:
《汉书·郊祀志》：“听其言，洋洋满耳，若将可遇；求之，荡荡如系风捕景，终不可得。”
Story:
Gu Yong, character Zi Yun, a native of Chang’an, held the positions of Guanglu Daifu and Dashi Nong during the reign of Emperor Cheng of Han. Emperor Cheng of Han became the emperor at the age of twenty and had no children until he was over forty. He listened to the words of the Fang Shi and was keen on sacrificing to ghosts and gods. Many people who wrote to Emperor Cheng of Han about sacrificing to ghosts and gods or talking about immortalism were easily given high officials and generous pay. Emperor Cheng listened to them and made a big sacrifice in Shanglingyuan outside Chang’an, praying for blessings from heaven, spending a lot of money but nothing worked.
Gu Yong wrote to Emperor Cheng, “I have heard that it is impossible to confuse a person who understands the nature of heaven and earth with gods and monsters, and it is impossible for a person who knows the truth of all things in the world to be deceived by people who behave improperly. Now some people talk about gods and spirits, preach rituals, and say that there are immortals in the world who take the medicine of immortality and live as high as the South Mountain. When you listen to them, your ears are full of beautiful scenery, as if you can meet the immortals right away; however, if you look for them, they are illusory, as if you have to bind the wind and catch the shadow, which is impossible to get. Therefore the wise kings of ancient times did not listen to these words, and the sages definitely did not speak such words.”
Gu Yong also gave an example: “The historian of the Zhou Dynasty, Jan Hong, wanted to help King Ling of Zhou by sacrificing to ghosts and gods, so that the lords of the world would come to the pilgrimage, but the Zhou royal family became more decayed and the lords rebelled more; King Huai of Chu made a grand sacrifice to ghosts and gods to ask the gods for blessing to repel the Qin army, but the battle was defeated and the land was cut off by Qin, and he became a prisoner; after Qin Shi Huang unified the country, he sent Xu Fu with boys and girls After the reign of Qin Shi Huang, he sent Xu Fu to send boys and girls to the sea to seek immortal medicine, but they never returned and were resented by the people of the world.”
Finally, he said, “From ancient times to modern times, emperors have sought the gods and immortals all over the world with their noble positions and large amounts of money, but after many years, nothing has been fulfilled. I hope you will not let those who behave improperly interfere with the affairs of the court again.” Emperor Cheng of Han thought that Gu Yong had a good point and listened to his advice.
Later, people derived the idiom of “Chasing the wind and catching shadows” from what Gu Yong said in the historical records.
Similar Idioms:
- 望风捕影
- 无中生有
