Wong Tai Sin Sign 40 · Bo Ya Breaks His Qin

This sign tells the story of Bo Ya, one of ancient China's greatest qin (guqin) players during the Spring and Autumn period. Bo Ya was a master musician whose skill was legendary, but he struggled to find anyone who truly understood his art. Then he met Zhong Ziqi, a humble woodcutter who could listen to Bo Ya's playing and perfectly describe what the music conveyed — mountains, flowing water, deep emotions. They became the closest of friends. When Ziqi died unexpectedly, Bo Ya was devastated. He realized that without his friend who truly appreciated his music, playing had lost all meaning. In his grief, Bo Ya smashed his precious qin and never played again. Their friendship became the classical Chinese ideal of zhiyin — a soul mate who truly understands you. The phrase 'breaking the qin' became synonymous with losing someone irreplaceable.