📖 Meaning
Refers to a messenger or envoy. The idiom originates from the legend of the Queen Mother of the West, who dwelled by the Jade Pool (瑶池) and used a blue bird (青鸟) as her messenger to deliver tidings to Emperor Wu of Han. Today it is used figuratively to describe someone who conveys messages, especially good news from afar.
📜 Origin Story
In Chinese mythology, the Queen Mother of the West (西王母) resided by the shimmering Jade Pool (瑶池) in the mythical Kunlun Mountains. She employed a blue bird (青鸟) as her personal envoy. According to Han dynasty legend, on the seventh day of the seventh month, the Queen Mother sent this blue bird to Emperor Wu of Han (汉武帝) to announce her impending visit. The idiom '瑶池女使' thus poetically refers to this female messenger from the Jade Pool, symbolizing a bearer of important or joyful tidings.
💡 Example Usage
瑶池女使传佳音，喜讯终于到门前。
Like a messenger from the Jade Pool bearing good tidings, the joyful news has finally arrived at our doorstep.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 瑶池女使
- Pinyin: yáo shi nǚ shǐ
- Literal Translation: Jade Pool, female, messenger
- Category: Communication
- Characters: 4