"Ma Ge Guo Shi" literally means wrapping a corpse in horsehide, referring to dying on the battlefield and being buried wrapped in horsehide. This idiom originates from the Book of Later Han: The Biography of Ma Yuan. Ma Yuan, a famous general of the Eastern Han Dynasty, once said: "A man should die on the frontier and be buried wrapped in horsehide. How can he lie on a bed and die in the hands of women and children?" It embodies the heroic spirit of ancient soldiers who faced death unflinchingly and served their country with utmost loyalty. Its deeper meaning describes soldiers fighting bravely and being willing to sacrifice their lives, and it also broadly refers to the lofty resolve to give one's life for the country. It is mostly used to praise soldiers and revolutionary martyrs or to express the determination to sacrifice oneself for the nation, carrying strong undertones of solemn heroism, reverence, and patriotism. In terms of cultural background, it reflects the traditional values of the Chinese nation, which honors martial valor and service to the country and the righteous sacrifice of life for a just cause, and it is a spiritual symbol that inspires later generations to strive for the interests of the country and the nation.
📝 Example
1. During the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, countless soldiers, resolved to die on the battlefield and be wrapped in horsehide, fought the enemy to the bitter end. (Meaning: It refers to soldiers' determination to die on the battlefield and give their lives for their country.)
2. As a border guard, he had long been prepared to die on the battlefield and be wrapped in horsehide, vowing to defend the motherland's frontier to the death. (Meaning: It refers to soldiers sparing no sacrifice of their lives, holding fast to their posts, and protecting their country.)