Chinese idiom · 成语
高山流水
Meaning
Exquisite music; deep appreciation between kindred spirits, especially in art.
Character by character
Origin and story
Traditional anecdoteIn Tangwen (湯問) of Liezi (列子), Boya is skilled at playing the qin, and Zhong Ziqi is skilled at listening. When Boya thinks of a high mountain, Ziqi hears the grandeur of Mount Tai in the music. When his thoughts turn to flowing water, Ziqi recognizes the expanse of rivers. Whatever Boya intends, his listener understands.
The chapter also describes music evoking rain and a collapsing mountain, whose meaning Ziqi again grasps. The mountain-and-water image thus links accomplished music with unusually deep understanding between performer and listener. It can praise elevated music or evoke a kindred spirit who understands one’s art and intentions, rather than merely any friendly relationship.
Sources and further reading
In everyday life
读到她对我作品的评论，我有种高山流水遇知音的感动。
Reading her comments on my work, I was moved by the feeling of finally finding someone who truly understood it.
The familiar wording 高山流水遇知音 emphasizes finding an appreciative, deeply understanding listener.