Chinese Idiom: 高山大野 (Gao Shan Da Ye)
English Translation: Tall mountains and vast plains
pīn yīn: gāo shān dà yě
Idiom Meaning: Refers to towering mountains and expansive fields, symbolizing vast, majestic landscapes.
Historical Source: Su Zhe’s Letter to Marshal Han Taiwei (北宋 苏辙《上枢密韩太尉书》)
Idiom Story:
Su Zhe (1039-1112), also known as Ziyou, was a writer and politician from the Northern Song Dynasty. He was the younger brother of the famous writer Su Shi and son of Su Xun. Su Zhe’s literary accomplishments placed him among the famous “Three Su’s” of Chinese literature, though his achievements were considered less prominent than those of his brother Su Shi.
Su Zhe wrote Letter to Marshal Han Taiwei after passing the imperial examination alongside his brother in 1057. The letter was addressed to Han Qi, the military marshal and the highest-ranking military official of the time, seeking an audience with him. In this letter, Su Zhe eloquently described his personal journey, the importance of travel for broadening one’s horizons, and the value of interacting with accomplished figures. He cleverly flattered Marshal Han while maintaining his dignity.
In one section of the letter, Su Zhe reflects on his own growth and education, stating:
“I am now nineteen years old. While at home, the people I associated with were merely local townsmen and neighbors, and my experience was limited to what I could see within a few hundred li (miles). I had no opportunity to visit the tall mountains and vast plains (高山大野) to expand my vision. Though I had read many of the ancient works of the hundred schools, they were merely the records of the past, insufficient to inspire great ambition in me. Fearing that I might remain unknown forever, I left my hometown to seek out the marvels and wonders of the world, so I could better understand the greatness of the universe.”
Su Zhe goes on to describe how his travels took him to the ancient capitals of the Qin and Han dynasties, where he marveled at the grandeur of Mount Zhongnan, Mount Song, and Mount Hua. He gazed northward at the rushing Yellow River and contemplated the legendary heroes who once walked the land. Upon reaching the capital city of Bianjing (modern-day Kaifeng), he was struck by the magnificence of the imperial palace, the prosperity of the city, and the wealth stored in its granaries and treasuries. Su Zhe finally met Ouyang Xiu, a renowned scholar, and realized that the literary excellence of the empire was concentrated in the capital.
Su Zhe’s description of “高山大野” conveys his desire to transcend the limitations of his local experience and engage with the vast world beyond, symbolizing his aspiration to expand his knowledge and ambitions through travel and learning. The idiom has since come to represent majestic natural landscapes, emphasizing the importance of broadening one’s horizons.
