How does Mount Dizhu (Zhongliudizhu) evolve from a physical entity into an idiom and become widely used? By analyzing its narrative texts and communication practices,this study finds that the generation of symbol and reinforcement of metaphor form an ever-expanding spiral of meaning. The core connotation of zhongliudizhu is interpreted through the reproduction of material and geography, and the translation between material and symbol. Different from the communication perspective that focuses on media effect, configuration change or realistic criticism, zhongliudizhu presents a complex texture of long-term and across-media discourse construction, and has a specific cultural context and dynamic trope logic, which may be regarded as an experience of local communication. It may inspire the future research to explore the relationship between the historical tradition and the current media context.