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The term “High Mountain and Flowing Water” has its history way back in the Spring
and Autumn period.  During the Spring and Autumn Period of 770 B.C. to 476 B.C.,
the famous musician Boya played the guqin to Zhong Ziqi, who was a humble
woodcutter but a great listener. As Boya focused his music upon Mount Tai, Ziqi
would say, "wonderful, as grand as Mount Tai." When Boya began to play a passage
denoting swift streams, Ziqi would exclaim, "Vast and swelling, just like flowing
streams." Simply put, whatever Boya devised, Ziqi described.


This is a popular legendary story about the guqin.  The term “High Mountain and
Flowing Water” was later used to describe as meeting a great listener.  Although it’s
a story about guqin music, guzheng players also adopt the concept.  They play the
“High Mountain and Flowing Water” when they meet each other as a way to say
“hello, how are you” with guzheng music.  


There are 4 most played versions of “High Mountain and Flowing Water” nowadays.  
One is from the Henan School, one is from the Shangdong School, and two are from
the Zhejiang School.  


Listen to “High Moutain and Flowing Water”:


Zhejiang 1




Zhejiang 2





Henan




Shangdong
    
Sound of China Guzheng Music Promotion Center