📖 Meaning
Describes someone with outstanding literary talent, especially referring to women. The phrase evokes the image of willow catkins drifting on the wind as a poetic metaphor for snow, symbolizing a gifted and imaginative mind.
📜 Origin Story
During the Southern Dynasties period, Liu Yiqing recorded a story in 'Shishuo Xinyu' (A New Account of the Tales of the World). One snowy day, the statesman Xie An asked his young relatives what the falling snow resembled. His nephew Hu Er suggested it was like salt scattered in the air. His niece, the celebrated poet Xie Daoyun, replied that it was more like willow catkins rising on the wind. Xie An laughed with delight at her superior poetic comparison. The phrase came to symbolize exceptional literary talent, particularly in women.
💡 Example Usage
她自幼饱读诗书，柳絮才高，在文坛上颇负盛名。
Having read widely since childhood, she possesses extraordinary literary talent and is quite renowned in literary circles.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 柳絮才高
- Pinyin: liǔ xù cái gāo
- Literal Translation: willow, catkins, talent, high
- Category: Skill
- Characters: 4