📖 Meaning
Literally refers to jade pendants and ornaments made of precious red jade. By extension it is used as an elegant metaphor for exceptionally fine writing or poetry. It praises literary works as being as beautiful and valuable as rare jade.
📜 Origin Story
The phrase comes from the Tang dynasty writer Han Yu's eulogy ‘祭柳子厚文’ (Eulogy for Liu Zihou), written in memory of his friend and fellow literary master Liu Zongyuan. In it Han Yu wrote ‘玉佩琼琚，大放厥词,’ comparing Liu's brilliant prose and poetry to precious jade ornaments. Liu Zongyuan, a leader of the Tang ancient-style prose movement, had died in exile, and Han Yu honored his extraordinary literary talent with this image. The line later became a standard way to praise beautiful writing.
💡 Example Usage
有美人兮，玉佩琼琚，吾梦见之。
There is a lovely one adorned with jade pendants and precious gems—whom I saw in my dreams.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 玉佩琼琚
- Pinyin: yù pèi qióng jū
- Literal Translation: jade pendant, red-jade ornament
- Category: Quality
- Characters: 4