📖 Meaning
Refers collectively to rare birds and exotic beasts. Used to describe a dazzling gathering of uncommon animals from distant lands. Conveys abundance and variety of precious fauna.
📜 Origin Story
The phrase originates from the 'Treatise on the Western Regions' in the Book of Han (汉书·西域传赞), composed during the Eastern Han dynasty by Ban Gu. The passage describes how, after Emperor Wu of Han expanded relations with the Western Regions, rare treasures filled the inner palace—luminous pearls, patterned shells, rhino horn, and kingfisher feathers—while prized steeds such as Pusao, Longwen, Yumu, and Hanye blood-sweating horses filled the imperial stables, and giant elephants, lions, fierce dogs, and large birds were kept in the outer parks. The idiom condenses this catalog of exotic creatures into four characters symbolizing the marvels that arrived from all directions.
💡 Example Usage
皇家苑囿之中,雀马鱼龙,无所不有。
In the imperial gardens, rare birds and exotic beasts of every kind could be found.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 雀马鱼龙
- Pinyin: què mǎ yú lóng
- Literal Translation: sparrow, horse, fish, dragon
- Category: Variety
- Characters: 4