In ancient times, many farmers in the Liaodong region raised pigs, all of which were pitch black and known as black pigs.
One day, a family's sow was about to give birth, and the whole household was overjoyed, gathering around the sow, hoping she would deliver many piglets.
Soon after, the sow gave birth. The owner's son excitedly counted by the side: one, two, three... seven piglets in one go, each black and shiny, very adorable.
Then, the sow gave birth to her final piglet, and to everyone's astonishment, this piglet had a black body but a white head.
The villagers soon heard about this and were astir, flocking to see it, for they had never seen a white-headed pig, and they buzzed with discussion, unanimously declaring it a rare and precious beast.
The villagers gathered to discuss the matter, and finally decided that the owner should carry the white-headed pig to the capital as a tribute to the emperor. The owner felt this was a great honor and gladly agreed. So, he hoisted the pig onto his back and set off on the long journey to the capital.
He walked on and on, one day arriving at Hedong (present-day western Shanxi Province), where he saw pigs that were entirely white. Filled with shame, he sighed and said:
"Alas! The people in our village are so easily startled by the simplest things—they've made me walk all this way for nothing!"
So, instead of heading to the capital, he set off on his journey home. When he returned to the village, the villagers saw him carrying the white-headed pig on his back again and asked him what had happened. He said:
"The white pigs of Hedong are truly abundant—our knowledge is far too limited!" Later, the idiom "Liaodong White Pig" came to describe those who are amazed by the ordinary due to limited experience, or who feel ashamed of their own shallowness.
Source: *Letter to Peng Chong*
Meaning of the Idiom: Later, the Chinese idiom "辽东白豕" came to describe those who are amazed by the ordinary due to limited experience, or who feel ashamed of their own shallowness.