‘琉璃心’ (liú lí xīn) is a poetic, literary compound meaning ‘a heart as clear and fragile as glazed porcelain.’ The character 琉璃 (liú lí) refers to ancient Chinese lead-glazed ceramic or glass—translucent, luminous, and easily shattered—while 心 (xīn) means ‘heart’ or ‘inner self.’ Together, the phrase evokes emotional vulnerability, purity of feeling, and exquisite sensitivity: a heart that shines with sincerity yet breaks at the slightest pressure.

This expression is rarely used in daily speech; it appears mainly in classical poetry, modern lyrical prose, song lyrics, or emotionally charged dialogue. It conveys admiration for tenderness and integrity, but also melancholy awareness of fragility. Unlike clinical or colloquial terms for emotion, 琉璃心 carries aesthetic weight—it’s not just about feeling, but about the beauty and peril of unguarded authenticity.