Like a Raging Fire

During the Spring and Autumn Period, Duke Fu Chai of Wu led a huge army against the State of Jin. He ordered his men to form three square contingents. The middle one was dressed in white and holding white flags, which looked from a distance just like the flowers of a field full of reeds. The left unit was in red and holding red flags, which looked from afar like flaming fire all over the mountains. The right unit was in black and holding black flags, which looked from a distance like thick black clouds covering the sky. Fu Chai was trying to present to the enemy a show of overwhelming force. 

This idiom describes a scene of great momentum and exuberance.

春秋时代，吴王夫差想做几个小国的霸主，率领三万军队向晋军挑战。他命令将士们以一万人为单位摆成一个正方形的阵势。当中的都穿白色衣服，拿着白色的旗帜，远远望去就像遍地盛开着白色荼花。左边的穿红色衣服，拿着红色的旗帜，远远望去就像满上燃烧着熊熊火焰。右边的穿黑色衣服，拿着黑色的旗帜，远远望去就像满天结集着浓密的乌云。夫差想利用这种声势去压倒对方。 

“如火如荼”这个成语形容气势旺盛，场面热烈的景象。