📖 Meaning
This idiom describes exquisitely decorated books, calligraphy, or paintings. "金题" refers to titles written in gold ink, while "玉躞" refers to jade fasteners used to bind scroll volumes. Together they evoke the luxurious and refined binding of precious manuscripts and artworks.
📜 Origin Story
This idiom originates from "书史" (History of Calligraphy) by the Song Dynasty calligrapher Mi Fu (米芾). The original passage states that the book collections of the Sui and Tang dynasties were all bound with gold-lettered titles and jade fasteners, brocade frontispieces, and embroidered wrappers. It reflects the extraordinary care and expense devoted to preserving and beautifying important texts and artworks in ancient China.
💡 Example Usage
这些古籍金题玉躞，装帧极为精美。
These ancient books, with their gold-lettered titles and jade fasteners, are exquisitely bound.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 金题玉躞
- Pinyin: jīn tí yù xiè
- Literal Translation: gold, title, jade, fastener
- Category: Quality
- Characters: 4