📖 Meaning
An old term for a legendary elixir of immortality. It also refers to a precious or exquisite beverage. The idiom conveys the idea of something extraordinarily refined and valuable.
📜 Origin Story
This phrase originates from the '汉武帝外传' (The Outer Biography of Emperor Wu of Han), a text recording legends surrounding Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty. The original passage describes the supreme medicines of the immortals, listing items such as 风实云子 (wind fruit and cloud seeds) and 金精玉液 (gold essence and jade liquid). In Daoist alchemical tradition, such substances were believed to grant longevity or even immortality. The text reflects the Han-era fascination with immortality cults and alchemical pursuits.
💡 Example Usage
传说服食金精玉液便可长生不老。
Legend has it that consuming the gold essence and jade liquid can grant immortality.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 金精玉液
- Pinyin: jīn jīng yù yè
- Literal Translation: gold, essence, jade, liquid
- Category: Quality
- Characters: 4