Have eyes but failed to recognize Taishan -【yǒu yǎn bù shí tài shān】

有眼不识泰山 【yǒu yǎn bù shí tài shān】

How could someone literally fail to see China's most sacred mountain? This ancient idiom isn't about vision - it's about the embarrassing human tendency to overlook greatness right under our noses.

有 (yǒu): means "to have" or "possess."

眼 (yǎn): literally "eye," representing vision or perception.

不 (bù): negation meaning "not" or "lack of."

识 (shí): means "to recognize" or "know."

泰 (Tài) 山 (shān): refers to Mount Tai, China's most culturally significant mountain and a symbol of greatness.

Literal Meaning: "Having eyes but failing to recognize Mount Tai" Metaphorical Meaning: This idiom vividly criticizes someone's inability to recognize obvious greatness, authority, or talent right before them - whether ignoring an expert's advice, underestimating a humble master, or being blind to a monumental opportunity.

Cultural Context:

• Mount Tai's status: As the eastern peak of China's Five Great Mountains, it was historically considered the stairway to heaven and a symbol of imperial power.
• First appeared in Ming dynasty literature as a scathing remark about superficial judgment.
• Modern usage ranges from humorous (not recognizing a celebrity) to serious (business leaders ignoring market shifts).