If you’ve spent any time on TikTok or YouTube in the past two years, you’re likely aware of a haunting song featuring the lyrics “xue hua piao piao, bei feng xiao xiao,” appearing in everything from sentimental montages to absurd comedy sketches. It’s instantly recognizable—slow, melancholic, and undeniably lyrical. But where exactly does this song come from, and what do the lyrics mean?
What Does “Xue Hua Piao Piao” Mean?
In Mandarin Chinese, the lyrics “xue hua piao piao, bei feng xiao xiao” (雪花飘飘，北风潇潇) approximately translate to:
“Snowflakes fluttering, the north wind blowing fiercely.”
Rich with imagery, the lyrics draw upon traditional Chinese poetic symbolism. Snow and wind typically represent adversity, loneliness, or the fleeting nature of time, setting an emotional tone for the rest of the song.
The Song Behind the Meme
The actual title of the song is 《一剪梅》 (Yī Jiǎn Méi), meaning “A Spray of Plum Blossoms.” Taiwanese singer Fei Yu-ching (费玉清) first performed it in the early 1980s.
“Yi Jian Mei” was a notable success among Chinese-speaking audiences, becoming a classic love ballad filled with poetic longing. Its lyrics explore enduring love through hardship, incorporating nature imagery like snow and plum blossoms—both classic symbols in Chinese culture. Plum blossoms, in particular, symbolize beauty and resilience because they bloom during winter.
Why Did It Become an Internet Sensation?
“Yi Jian Mei” remained relatively unknown globally until a viral Douyin (China’s TikTok) video featuring a man named Zhang Aiqin, affectionately nicknamed “Eggman” by fans for his distinctive bald look, lip-syncing the chorus dramatically in a snowy park. His exaggerated performance, combined with the emotional music, struck a bizarrely perfect balance between sincerity and absurdity.
From there, the song exploded on Western TikTok, becoming background music for meme videos, fake movie trailers, emotional edits, and everything in between. The chorus—especially “xue hua piao piao, bei feng xiao xiao”—became synonymous with melodrama and irony.
What’s the Deeper Appeal?
On the surface, it’s simply meme fodder. Yet, the lasting appeal of “Yi Jian Mei” lies in its contrasts: a genuinely beautiful and melancholy song paired with often ridiculous images. To non-Mandarin speakers, the Chinese lyrics sound profound. Mandarin speakers, meanwhile, find nostalgia and earnestness irresistible, particularly amid today’s ironic internet culture.
Additionally, Fei Yu-ching’s smooth, controlled vocals convey an emotional depth that transcends language barriers. The song serves as a reminder of a time when love ballads didn’t pull any punches.
Final Thoughts
“Xue hua piao piao” isn’t merely a fleeting meme; it’s a window into a timeless musical phenomenon. Fei Yu-ching’s “Yi Jian Mei” embodies cultural crossover, seamlessly blending traditional beauty, internet humor, and the magic of a classic love ballad reborn as an iconic internet moment.
Next time you hear those unmistakable opening lyrics on TikTok, remember: beneath the snowflakes and fierce north wind lies a song about love, loss, and the enduring beauty of holding on.
