During the Southern and Northern Dynasties, there was a renowned painter named Zhang Sengyao (张僧繇). According to legend, he once painted four dragons on the wall of a Buddhist temple—but he left out their eyes.

When people asked him why, he replied, “If I paint the eyes, the dragons will fly away.”

Many thought he was boasting. So, to prove his point, he added eyes to two of the dragons. Immediately, thunder roared, lightning struck the wall, and the two dragons came to life and soared into the sky. The other two dragons, which had no eyes, remained on the wall.

This magical story gave rise to the idiom “画龙点睛”, literally “to paint a dragon and dot in the eyes.”

Let’s review this idiom:

  • Idiom: 画龙点睛
  • Pinyin: huà lóng diǎn jīng
  • English Translation: to paint a dragon and dot in the eyes
  • Extended Meaning: Refers to adding a final, crucial detail that brings the whole work to life. Commonly used to describe writing, speech, or art where a key point makes the entire piece more vivid and powerful.

Character Introduction:

  • Zhang Sengyao (张僧繇) – Zhang Sengyao was a famous painter during the Southern and Northern Dynasties (6th century CE). He was especially known for his murals and Buddhist art. His legendary story became a symbol of the power of precision and the finishing touch in artistic and literary works.