Chinese mythology, folktales, and literature
This legend records musician Shi Yan forced by tyrant King Zhou of Shang to create decadent licentious tunes. Blamed for the dynasty’s fall, he drowned himself by Pu River. Centuries later, ghostly melodies of his music were heard there, recorded in ancient historical texts.
Basic Information Chinese Idiom: 靡靡之音Pinyin: mǐ mǐ zhī yīnLiteral Meaning: Weak and dispiriting tunesFigurative Meaning: Soft, decadent and demoralizing music that indulges sensual pleasures and weakens people’s will. Cultural Background This idiom first appeared in the Warring States period, in the chapter ‘Ten Faults’ of Han Fei’s work Hanfeizi as to be specified below.…