化干戈为玉帛

化戈为玉帛

Literally means:

turn swords into plowshares

Actually means:

turn hostility into friendship

干戈, a kind of weapon in ancient times, connotes war; Yu Bo, jade ware and silk, common gift exchanged between kingdoms in ancient times, connotes peace.

The figuratively means two sides stop their war or fighting turn war into peace, and turn hostility into friendship. It usually is used in the case of mediation on formal occasions or in formal language. Derogatory

干戈，古代的武器，比喻战争；玉帛，玉器和丝织品，是古代国与国交往中使用的礼品，比喻和平。

比喻双方停止战争或争斗，把战争变为和于正式的场合或书面语中。具有褒义色平，把争斗变为友好。多用于劝说别人。