返璞归真 is a classical four-character idiom meaning 'to return to simplicity and authenticity.' Literally, 返 (fǎn) means 'to return,' 璞 (pú) refers to uncarved jade — symbolizing original, unadorned nature; 归 (guī) means 'to go back to,' and 真 (zhēn) means 'truth' or 'genuineness.' Together, the phrase evokes shedding artificiality, pretense, or excessive complexity to recover one’s innate purity and sincerity — much like polishing away impurities to reveal the jade’s natural luster.

This idiom is often used in philosophical, literary, or lifestyle contexts — describing a person’s spiritual awakening, a shift toward minimalist living, or an artistic style that embraces raw honesty over ornamentation. It carries a positive, reflective connotation, rooted in Daoist and Confucian ideals of natural virtue and moral integrity. While poetic and somewhat formal, it appears frequently in essays, speeches, and discussions about personal growth or cultural renewal.