"Po jing chong yuan" literally means a broken mirror becomes whole again, and it is used metaphorically to describe a husband and wife who were separated or estranged and then reunite and reconcile. This idiom originates from the story of Xu Deyan and Princess Lechang in Meng Qi's Benshi Shi from the Tang Dynasty: when the Chen Dynasty of the Southern Dynasties fell, Xu Deyan and his wife, Princess Lechang, were forced to separate. The two broke a bronze mirror into two halves, each keeping one half, and agreed that they would use the mirror as a token of recognition in the future. After many twists and turns, the two were finally reunited, and the mirror was joined together again. Therefore, this idiom carries the beautiful wish for loyal love and a reunion ending, and is often used to describe the process of a marital relationship moving from rupture to repair. It is mostly used in situations where a husband and wife reunite after being separated by war, misunderstanding, external forces, or other reasons, or where a marriage on the verge of breaking down is reconciled. Its emotional tone is positive and warm, with a sense of relief and treasuring. In terms of cultural background, it reflects the importance placed on family integrity and marital harmony in traditional Chinese culture, and also reflects the ancients' reverence for tokens of faith and vows. It should be noted that this idiom specifically refers to husbands and wives, and is not used for friends or general interpersonal relationships.
📝 Example
1. After three years of separation and misunderstanding, they finally reunited and mended their broken relationship, starting a happy life anew. (Referring to a couple reuniting and reconciling)
2. With the mediation of relatives and friends, the couple mended their broken relationship and came back together, cherishing each other even more. (Referring to the restoration of a marital relationship and reunion)