📖 Meaning
To display literary talent through ornate and elaborate composition. It describes the practice of laying out rich literary embellishments and flowing prose with masterful command of language. The phrase emphasizes the decorative, artistic quality of skilled writing.
📜 Origin Story
This phrase originates from 'Wen Xin Diao Long' (The Literary Mind and the Carving of Dragons), written by the Southern Dynasties Liang scholar Liu Xie. In the chapter 'Quan Fu' (On Rhapsody), Liu Xie defined the fu genre by stating that it spreads out literary grace and unfurls writing to embody objects and express aspirations. The phrase captures the characteristic ornate style of Han dynasty fu poetry, which was renowned for its elaborate descriptions and rich rhetoric. It became a standard term in classical Chinese literary criticism for praising masterful, embellished prose.
💡 Example Usage
他的散文铺采摛文，读来令人叹为观止。
His essays display rich literary grace and ornate prose, leaving readers in awe.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 铺采摛文
- Pinyin: pù cǎi chī wén
- Literal Translation: spread out, literary grace, unfurl, writing
- Category: Communication
- Characters: 4