📖 Meaning
A rare treasure seldom seen in the world. It is used metaphorically to describe something extremely precious and invaluable.
📜 Origin Story
This idiom originates from a poem by Ouyang Xuan of the Yuan Dynasty titled 'Song of the Elder Ziwei's Large Calligraphy,' in which he wrote, 'My family possesses this rare treasure of the world.' It later appeared in Feng Menglong's 'Chronicles of the Eastern Zhou Kingdoms' (Chapter 96), where the King of Qin unwraps the legendary Heshi Bi jade and marvels at its flawless white purity and natural carving, calling it truly a rare treasure of the world. The phrase has since been used to describe any exceptionally rare and precious item.
💡 Example Usage
这件宋代瓷器完好无损，堪称希世之珍。
This intact Song Dynasty porcelain can be called a rare treasure of the world.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 希世之珍
- Pinyin: xī shì zhī zhēn
- Literal Translation: rare, world, of, treasure
- Category: Quality
- Characters: 4