The ivory tower metaphor is used in life to illustrate the unreality of one's own life or to stay away from the darkness of society.
Ivory tower is based on Chapter 7, Section 4 of the Bible "Old Testament, Song of Songs" (the Old Testament, song of songs). The wise and wealthy King Solomon of Israel once wrote a poem 1005 song, which comes from the fifth song of the love song "Song of Songs".
The poem describes how the singing groom praises the bride, "Your neck is like an ivory tower. Your eyes are pools in Heshbon, by the gate of Bath-rabbim." Ivory tower; your eyes are like the pool beside the gate of Heshbon Patna;).
The extended meaning of ivory tower:
The word "ivory tower" was later gradually used in all aspects of social life. In Chinese, ivory tower originally refers to ignoring the ugly and miserable reality of society. A person who lives a life and hides himself in his ideal and happy state to engage in creation means a person who transcends the real society, stays away from life, hides in a lonely and comfortable personal world, and engages in writing activities with the help of his mind.
Today it means "a metaphor for the small world of intellectuals (writers, artists, scientists) who are separated from the complex and changeable real life, and people who concentrate on academic careers". It is known as "isolated from the world" A dreamland', a 'paradise' to escape from real life, a 'retreat'".
Reference for the above content: Baidu Encyclopedia—Ivory Tower