📖 Meaning
An extremely treacherous and narrow mountain path, so difficult to traverse that it seems accessible only to birds. It evokes the image of remote, precipitous trails winding through rugged terrain, often associated with the ancient Shu region.
📜 Origin Story
The idiom originates from the Qing Dynasty scholar Dai Mingshi's essay 'Records of the Red Miao People' (《纪红苗事》). '蚕丛' refers to Can Cong, the legendary founding king of the ancient Shu Kingdom, whose realm was known for its impassable mountains and silkworm cultivation. The phrase describes opening up these perilous mountain paths to allow the flow of crafts and skills among the people. It draws on the historical perception of Shu roads as being among the most dangerous in ancient China, famously likened to climbing to the sky.
💡 Example Usage
探访深山古寺需穿行蚕丛鸟道，令人望而生畏。
Visiting the ancient temple deep in the mountains requires traversing treacherous, bird-like mountain paths, which is truly daunting.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 蚕丛鸟道
- Pinyin: cán cóng niǎo dào
- Literal Translation: silkworm cluster, bird path
- Category: Condition
- Characters: 4