Bo Le facts for kids

Sun Yang, better known as Bole (or Bo Le), was a very famous horse expert in ancient China. He lived a long, long time ago during a period called the Spring and Autumn period. Bole was known for being amazing at judging horses. He could tell a great horse just by looking at it! He was also a helper for Duke Mu of Qin, a powerful ruler from 659 to 621 BCE.

Who Was Bole?

Bole was like a detective for horses. He could look at a horse and know if it was strong, fast, or even if it had a hidden talent. People say he invented a way to judge horses by their looks. This skill was called "equine physiognomy." It meant he could understand a horse's qualities just from its appearance.

A Master of Horses

Bole's real name was Sun Yang. But he became so famous for his horse skills that people gave him the special name "Bole." This name means someone who is excellent at finding and recognizing talent, especially in horses. His ability to spot a truly great horse was legendary.

The Legend of Bole

Many stories are told about Bole's incredible talent. One famous story tells how he could find a "thousand-li horse." This was a special horse that could run a thousand li (a Chinese measure of distance) in a single day! Most people couldn't tell the difference between an ordinary horse and such a magnificent one. But Bole could. He taught others how to look for the signs of a truly great horse.

Images for kids

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  Painting of Archer and Horse attributed to Yelü Bei (899-937)

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  Drawing of Horse and Groom by Zhao Mengfu (1254-1322)

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  Eastern Han Dynasty bronze of a physiognomically ideal "Flying Horse".