📖 Meaning
This idiom uses the horn of the qilin (a mythical unicorn-like beast) and the feather of the phoenix to symbolize things of extraordinary rarity and preciousness. It is used to describe exceptional talents or rare objects that are nearly impossible to find. The phrase conveys both admiration for uniqueness and the difficulty of encountering such treasures.
📜 Origin Story
The expression draws upon two of the most auspicious creatures in Chinese mythology: the qilin (麟), a benevolent chimeric beast said to appear only in ages of great virtue, and the fenghuang (凤), the Chinese phoenix representing harmony and grace. Both creatures' horns and feathers were considered virtually unobtainable, making them natural metaphors for extreme scarcity. By combining these two rare elements, the phrase intensifies the sense of preciousness. No single classical text is definitively credited as the origin; the usage evolved organically in literary tradition. It frequently appears in writings praising extraordinary scholars or rare artifacts.
💡 Example Usage
在当今文坛，能写出如此传世之作的作家实属麟角凤毛。
In today's literary world, writers capable of producing such timeless masterpieces are as rare as qilin horns and phoenix feathers.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 麟角凤毛
- Pinyin: lín jiǎo fèng máo
- Literal Translation: qilin's horn, phoenix's feather
- Category: Quality
- Characters: 4