📖 Meaning
The hall's edge is far from the ground and the hall stands high — a metaphor for the supreme, unapproachable dignity of the emperor. It describes how the ruler's elevated position, supported by layers of officials, makes his authority impossible to reach or challenge.
📜 Origin Story
The phrase comes from the Book of Han, in the biography of the Han dynasty scholar Jia Yi. Jia Yi compared the sovereign to a great hall, the ministers to its steps, and the common people to the ground beneath. When the steps rise nine levels high, the hall's edge is far from the ground and the hall stands lofty; when the steps vanish, the edge sits near the ground and the hall becomes low. He argued that what is high is difficult to climb while what is low is easily trampled — the natural order of power.
💡 Example Usage
帝王廉远堂高，群臣莫不仰其威仪。
The emperor's dignity was loftily beyond reach, and all his ministers could do was look up in awe.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 廉远堂高
- Pinyin: lián yuǎn táng gāo
- Literal Translation: hall edge far, hall high
- Category: Status
- Characters: 4