Bai Ya and Zhong Zi Qi 伯牙與鍾子期

《列子•湯問》

　　伯牙善鼓琴，鍾子期善聽。伯牙鼓琴，志在高山，鍾子期曰:‘善哉，峨峨兮若泰山！’志在流水，鍾子期曰：‘善哉，洋洋兮若江河！’伯牙所念，鍾子期必得之。子期死，伯牙謂世再無知音。乃破琴绝弦，终身不复鼓。



The story of “Zhi Yin 知音- knowing (my) music” comes from the ancient book Lie Zi 列子：
Bai Ya was skilful in playing the qin 琴. Zhong Zi Qi 鍾子期 excelled in music appreciation. When Bai Ya played the qin with his mind on the lofty mountains, Zhong Zi Qi said, “Wonderful, mountains as lofty as Tai Shan.” When Bai Ya’s mind was at the gurgling waters, Zhong Zi Qi said, “Wonderful, flowing like streams and rivers.” Whatever that was in Bai Ya’s mind, Zhong Zi Qi read it accurately. When Zi Qi died, Bai Ya lamented that no one knew his music in the world anymore. He broke his qin tearing the strings and never played music anymore for the rest of his life.

Today, we use the term "Zhi Yin 知音" to describe a friend who can really understand us and appreciate what we do.