Have you ever heard the saying 'Cao son luu thuy, true friends are hard to find'? So, what does Cao Son Luu Thuy mean? Let's explore the meaning behind this phrase and the captivating stories that accompany it with Mytour.

Cao Son Luu Thuy
Cao Son Luu Thuy – one of the ten ancient melodies of China, consisting of two poetic compositions, Cao Son (high mountain) and Luu Thuy (deep water). This musical masterpiece is written to praise the friendship between Ba Nha and Tu Ky.
'Shattered strings, a mournful phoenix's tale,
Tử Kỳ's silent lyre, for whom does it wail?
Spring breeze caresses faces of dear friends,
Seeking kindred souls, a quest that seldom blends!'
From this tale, the proverb 'Cao son luu thuy, true friends are hard to find' emerged. Indeed, in our lives, nothing is more precious than a kindred spirit, a friend who understands us. One person is more than enough for a lifetime.
The melody of Cao Son Luu Thuy and the story of 'Du Ba Nha striking the lyre to express friendship's chord'
The story begins in the springtime of the So state. Du Ba Nha, known for his intelligence and love for music since childhood, was trained by the renowned music master Thanh Lien. After the envoy from the Tan dynasty returned, on a bright Mid-Autumn Festival with favorable feng shui, Bá Nha poured his soul into playing a moving melody. It was then that Bá Nha encountered the peasant Chung Tử Kỳ, a person of humble status but with a deep understanding of the language of the lyre, becoming Bá Nha's sincere companion.

Through dialogues and exchanges, the two quickly became kindred spirits, later formalizing their bond as sworn brothers. Bá Nha wished to bring Tử Kỳ into the world, but Tử Kỳ declined, wanting to honor his elderly parents. Unable to persuade Tử Kỳ, Bá Nha promised to meet on the next Mid-Autumn Festival at the rocky foothills of Mount Ma Yen. However, Tử Kỳ passed away before the appointed time, leaving a dying wish to be buried at the base of Mount Ma Yen to fulfill the pact with Bá Nha.
In the autumn, when Bá Nha returned to the familiar place, Tử Kỳ was nowhere to be found, only a grave beneath Mount Ma Yen. Before Tử Kỳ's grave, Bá Nha poured his heart into playing the melody 'Heavenly Wrath and Resentment.' After finishing the tune, Bá Nha bowed the broken lyre, lifting it high, striking the stone in front of Tử Kỳ's grave. The lyre shattered, and the jade keys scattered. From that moment, Bá Nha never played the lyre again, for the one who could understand his music was no more.

'Cao sơn' and 'Lưu thủy' are two melodies that Bá Nha often played. These were the tunes that only Tử Kỳ could truly feel. A skilled player and a discerning listener, truly deserving of the title of kindred spirits. Since then, people have used the metaphors of 'Cao sơn' and 'Lưu Thủy' to depict the profound friendship between those who understand each other more than themselves.
'In the transient world, like a dream breaking at dawn.
Human life, like a play, the curtain falls as the drama scatters.'
In today's society, where the lines between truth and falsehood blur, making a true friend is challenging, let alone finding a kindred spirit. The utmost happiness in one's life isn't in a life of wealth, luxury, and having everything that makes others marvel, but in having a kindred soul, a true friend. For a lifetime, having just one kindred spirit is an immense joy.
Hoping that through this article, readers have found the answer to 'What is Cao Son Luu Thuy?' Wishing everyone on their life journey to encounter a kindred soul, a true friend, and to cherish those friendships.
