Chinese Idiom: 阳春白雪，下里巴人 (Yang Chun Bai Xue, Xia Li Ba Ren)
English Translation: Highbrow literature and popular literature
pīn yīn: yáng chūn bái xuě, xià lǐ bā rén
Idiom Meaning: The former metaphorically represents profound literary works, while the latter symbolizes accessible, everyday literary pieces.
Historical Source: Song Yu’s “Response to the King of Chu” (《对楚王问》) during the Warring States period.
Idiom Story:
Song Yu was a renowned poet and writer in the late Warring States period of the Chu State. It is said that he was a student of the great patriotic poet Qu Yuan and served as a literary assistant during the reigns of King Huai and King Qiangxiang of Chu. Song Yu was known for his intelligence, good looks, and skill in rhetoric.
Once, King Qiangxiang asked Song Yu, “You might have some faults, right? Why are many scholars and common people dissatisfied with you?” Instead of reflecting on his own behavior, Song Yu responded to the king with a metaphor:
“There was a guest who sang in the city of Ying. He started with the songs ‘Xiali’ and ‘Baren’, and thousands in the country sang along; then he sang ‘Yang A’ and ‘Xie Lu’, and hundreds sang along; when he sang ‘Yangchun’ and ‘Baiyue’, only a few dozen joined in. When he played with the seven tones and harmonized them, only a few could follow along.”
The essence of his message is that the more refined and elevated the songs are, the fewer people can understand or appreciate them.
From this metaphor, Song Yu further elaborated to the king, saying, “Just as there are phoenixes among birds and Kun fish among fish, there are also exceptional individuals among scholars. The great aspirations and virtues of sages are far above the common people; how can ordinary individuals comprehend my works and actions?”
This story highlights the distinction between highbrow and popular culture, emphasizing that profound ideas are often grasped only by a select few.
