文武百官
How to Understand
文武百官 refers to the officials of all ranks in ancient China, encompassing both civil and military officials. It is often used in historical or formal contexts to describe the entire bureaucratic system.
The character 文 (wén) means 'literature' or 'civil,' while 武 (wǔ) means 'military.' 百 (bǎi) means 'hundred,' and 官 (guān) means 'official.' Together, they represent the full range of government officials, from high-ranking ministers to lower-level administrators.
This term is commonly found in historical texts, literature, and discussions about traditional Chinese governance. It reflects the structured and hierarchical nature of Chinese bureaucracy and is often used to emphasize the complexity and organization of the imperial administration.