Chinese idiom · 成语
熊熊烈焰
Meaning
Roaring fierce flames; intense blaze.
Character by character
Origin and story
Descriptive expressionThis is a vivid descriptive phrase made from 熊熊, a word for strong blazing, and 烈焰, fierce flames. The older word 熊熊 is already found in the Classic of Mountains and Seas, where a view toward Kunlun is described in terms of brilliant, blazing light. That component's ancient use does not establish the origin of this complete four-character combination.
No single founding story or specific Tang poem is established by the checked sources. The phrase can simply describe a large fire; writers may also borrow its intensity for emotion. Here 熊熊 is a descriptive word, not a reference to bears.
Sources and further reading
In everyday life
电影里的城堡被熊熊烈焰吞没，画面令人震撼。
In the film, the castle was engulfed in raging flames—an astonishing image.
A descriptive phrase for intense flames, also used figuratively.