化干戈為玉帛 huà gān gē wéi yù bó

DEFINITIONS

  1. lit. to exchange weapons of war for gifts of jade and silk (idiom)
  2. fig. to turn hostility into friendship

CHARACTERS

化 huà change, convert, reform; -ize
干 gān oppose, offend; invade; dried
戈 gē halberd, spear, lance; rad. 62
為 wéi do, handle, govern, act; be
玉 yù jade, precious stone, gem
帛 bó silks, fabrics; wealth, property