I was inspired by the poem A Song By Yue Girl - an ancient poem from 2500 years ago. It is one of oldest poem that is still very popular until now. The story is about Ejun Zixi (鄂君子皙) a brother of Chu State king who was traveling by boat to flee for his life, because of a rebellion in his country. He was taking a boat in the deep of the Yue State forest. The boatman was a girl, and when she saw Ejun Zixi, she instantly fell in love with him. But because of her status as a lowly person, she could only sang in her own native language to express her feeling. Ejun heard the song, and although he didn't understand the meaning, he was moved by the tune of the song. He then asked someone to translate the song for him. 今夕何夕兮,搴舟中流 Jīnxī hé xī xī, qiān zhōu zhōngliú what evening is this evening that I could roam leisurely on this little boat? 今日何日兮,得与王子同舟 Jīnrì hé rì xī, dé yǔ wángzǐ tóngzhōu what day is today that I could be in the same boat with a prince? 蒙羞被好兮,不訾诟耻 Méng xiū bèi hǎo xī, bù zī gòu chǐ be granted a favour, the prince did not give me a cold shoulder, nor look down on me although I am merely a boatman 心几烦而不绝兮,得知王子 xīn jǐ fán ér bù jué xī, dé zhī wángzǐ my heart is perturbed since I know that he is a prince 山有木兮木有枝兮, shān yǒu mù xī mù yǒu zhī xī, hills have their trees. trees have their branches. 心悦君兮君不知 xīn yuè jūn xī jūn bùzhī deep inside my heart I like you, but you just don't know it. When the prince knew the meaning of the song, he was deeply affected and moved. He immediately took off his embroidered robe and put it on the girl's shoulder and propose to marry her. https://www.webnovel.com/book/records-of-the-immortals_17011867105133305 The story is so romantic and touching, that it inspired me to write a historical fiction based on the story https://www.webnovel.com/book/records-of-the-immortals_17011867105133305 And Ejun, I was so curious about his face. So later I draw this painting, as this is how imagined how Ejun Zixi looked like. His eyebrows look like undulating hills from afar.
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<<< Duke Xiao and Shang Yang. The real friendship between the ruler and his minister. Duke Xiao supported Shang Yang fully. As a legalism and meritocracy practitioner, he believed that Shang Yang was the only hope for the Law Reformation to make Qin prosper. Duke Xiao even planned to let Shang Yang succeed him as the ruler of Qin. Shang Yang rejected the offer. |
When Duke Xiao passed away, Prince Ying Si was brought back to the palace and enthroned as the new ruler of Qin. Historical record mentioned that Prince Ying Si - later known as King Huiwen of Qin, maintained all Shang Yang's legacy. He continued the Shang Yang's Law Reformation and all other Shang Yang's legacy.
Yet, King Huiwen of Qin accused Shang Yang of treason and he wanted to executed Shang Yang. Shang Yang tried to run away. At first he tried to run away to the Wei State. According to Record of the Grand Historian, Shang Yang first escaped to Wei. However, he was hated there for his earlier betrayal of Gongzi Ang*** and was expelled. He had no choice but to go back to the Qin State. (According to the Records of the Grand Historian : During the battle between Wei and Qin in 341 BC, Shang Yang led the army of Qin. And with his personal connections while serving in the court of Wei, Shang Yang invited Gongzi Ang, the Wei general, to negotiate a peace treaty. As soon as Gongzi Ang arrived, he was taken prisoner, and the Qin army attacked, successfully defeating their opponents. )
According to the Annals of the Warring States (战国策), during this time he wanted to stay at an inn in Qin State. But he was refused to stay at the inn since he didn't bring a proper identification (照身贴 a kind of ID card with a picture of the bearer). According to the Qin law, no inn was allowed to received any guest without proper identification.
Shang Yang then tried to run away to his own land in Shang areas. It was said that he tried to gather some soldiers to rebel, but his rebellion was managed to be quelled by the Qin soldiers. He died during the clash between his soldiers and the Qin Soldiers. His body was brought to Xianyang, and King Huiwen ordered his body to be pulled by five chariots (车裂)
Yet, King Huiwen of Qin accused Shang Yang of treason and he wanted to executed Shang Yang. Shang Yang tried to run away. At first he tried to run away to the Wei State. According to Record of the Grand Historian, Shang Yang first escaped to Wei. However, he was hated there for his earlier betrayal of Gongzi Ang*** and was expelled. He had no choice but to go back to the Qin State. (According to the Records of the Grand Historian : During the battle between Wei and Qin in 341 BC, Shang Yang led the army of Qin. And with his personal connections while serving in the court of Wei, Shang Yang invited Gongzi Ang, the Wei general, to negotiate a peace treaty. As soon as Gongzi Ang arrived, he was taken prisoner, and the Qin army attacked, successfully defeating their opponents. )
According to the Annals of the Warring States (战国策), during this time he wanted to stay at an inn in Qin State. But he was refused to stay at the inn since he didn't bring a proper identification (照身贴 a kind of ID card with a picture of the bearer). According to the Qin law, no inn was allowed to received any guest without proper identification.
Shang Yang then tried to run away to his own land in Shang areas. It was said that he tried to gather some soldiers to rebel, but his rebellion was managed to be quelled by the Qin soldiers. He died during the clash between his soldiers and the Qin Soldiers. His body was brought to Xianyang, and King Huiwen ordered his body to be pulled by five chariots (车裂)
According to the historical fiction The Qin Empire - 大秦帝国 King Huiwen,although when he was young he was banished from the palace because of Shang Yang, he didn't hold the grudge against Shang Yang.
During the time when he lived as a commoner outside the palace, he saw the result of the Shang Yang's Law Reformation and saw how the people prosper because of the reformation in agriculture, military and law.
Somehow, King Huiwen was not a free man. He was still young and the aristocrats and noblemen of Qin still had the power to push him to make Shang Yang fall from grace. King Huiwen knew, that in order to make his throne stable, he had to sacrifice Shang Yang to appease the aristocrats and the noblemen; and at the same time, kept the law and continued Shang Yang's Law Reformation.
In the The Qin Empire - 大秦帝国 series, Shang Yang was sent to jail, and King Huiwen visited him at the prison. They both had a deep conversation, and Shang Yang himself knew, that the decision to execute him while keeping the law and continue the reformation was the best solution for all. Shang Yang then was executed. His followers, such as Jing Jian - the man who recommended him to Duke Xiao, compiled all of the sayings of Shang Yang and put them all in a book which is called "The Book of Lord Shang" / 商君书.
The history about Shang Yang, mainly from the book Record of the Grand Historian and the Annals of the Warring States. Those two books, tend to give negative perspective to Legalism. Therefore, many of the Legalism philosopher such as Shang Yang was negatively written and their merits were underrated.
Although Shang Yang died tragically, but his legacy continues on. Many of Shang Yang's laws survived in China in different forms over the next millennia, and they fundamentally shaped Chinese culture. Even the hukou system that he invented, is still used in modern China. In the series, Shang Yang died happily without regret after he knew that King Huiwen would continue the law reformation.
Shang Yang's Law Reformation made Qin State arose from the smallest, weakest and poorest state became the stongest and richest state in less than fifty years. Exactly 117 years after his death, King Zheng of Qin (later known as Qin Shihuang) unified the whole states and made the Qin Dynasty became the first empire in China. Without Shang Yang who laid out the foundation for the reformation, Qin State might never be able to achieve this unification.
During the time when he lived as a commoner outside the palace, he saw the result of the Shang Yang's Law Reformation and saw how the people prosper because of the reformation in agriculture, military and law.
Somehow, King Huiwen was not a free man. He was still young and the aristocrats and noblemen of Qin still had the power to push him to make Shang Yang fall from grace. King Huiwen knew, that in order to make his throne stable, he had to sacrifice Shang Yang to appease the aristocrats and the noblemen; and at the same time, kept the law and continued Shang Yang's Law Reformation.
In the The Qin Empire - 大秦帝国 series, Shang Yang was sent to jail, and King Huiwen visited him at the prison. They both had a deep conversation, and Shang Yang himself knew, that the decision to execute him while keeping the law and continue the reformation was the best solution for all. Shang Yang then was executed. His followers, such as Jing Jian - the man who recommended him to Duke Xiao, compiled all of the sayings of Shang Yang and put them all in a book which is called "The Book of Lord Shang" / 商君书.
The history about Shang Yang, mainly from the book Record of the Grand Historian and the Annals of the Warring States. Those two books, tend to give negative perspective to Legalism. Therefore, many of the Legalism philosopher such as Shang Yang was negatively written and their merits were underrated.
Although Shang Yang died tragically, but his legacy continues on. Many of Shang Yang's laws survived in China in different forms over the next millennia, and they fundamentally shaped Chinese culture. Even the hukou system that he invented, is still used in modern China. In the series, Shang Yang died happily without regret after he knew that King Huiwen would continue the law reformation.
Shang Yang's Law Reformation made Qin State arose from the smallest, weakest and poorest state became the stongest and richest state in less than fifty years. Exactly 117 years after his death, King Zheng of Qin (later known as Qin Shihuang) unified the whole states and made the Qin Dynasty became the first empire in China. Without Shang Yang who laid out the foundation for the reformation, Qin State might never be able to achieve this unification.
残雪凝辉冷画屏 cánxuě níng huī lěng huàpíng,
The afterglow snow shone on the painted screen partition
落梅横笛已三更 luòméi héngdí yǐ sān gēng,
It was midnight, but in the distance came the flute sound of "plum blossom falling"
更无人处月胧明 gèng wú rén chù yuè lóng míng.
In the dead of night the moon was blurry
我是人间惆怅客 Wǒ shì rénjiān chóuchàng kè,
I am just a melancholy passerby in this world
知君何事泪纵横 zhī jūn héshì lèi zònghéng,
I know why your face full of tears
断肠声里忆平生 duàncháng shēng lǐ yì
Remembering every bit of your life under the sentimental flute sound
残雪:尚未化尽的雪
画屏:绘有彩画的屏风
落梅:古代羌族乐曲名,又名《梅花落》,以横笛吹奏
月胧(lóng)明:指月色朦胧,不甚分明
惆怅:伤感,愁闷,失意
客:过客
The afterglow snow shone on the painted screen partition
落梅横笛已三更 luòméi héngdí yǐ sān gēng,
It was midnight, but in the distance came the flute sound of "plum blossom falling"
更无人处月胧明 gèng wú rén chù yuè lóng míng.
In the dead of night the moon was blurry
我是人间惆怅客 Wǒ shì rénjiān chóuchàng kè,
I am just a melancholy passerby in this world
知君何事泪纵横 zhī jūn héshì lèi zònghéng,
I know why your face full of tears
断肠声里忆平生 duàncháng shēng lǐ yì
Remembering every bit of your life under the sentimental flute sound
残雪:尚未化尽的雪
画屏:绘有彩画的屏风
落梅:古代羌族乐曲名,又名《梅花落》,以横笛吹奏
月胧(lóng)明:指月色朦胧,不甚分明
惆怅:伤感,愁闷,失意
客:过客
谁道飘零不可怜 shéi dào piāolíng bù kělián
谁说花儿凋零不令人生起怜爱之情呢?
Who says that the withered flowers do not make people feel pity?
旧游时节好花天 jiù yóu shíjié hǎo huā tiān
当年同游之时正是春花竞放的美好时光
That time when we travelled together, the flowers were blooming
断肠人去自经年 duàncháng rén qù zì jīng nián
而今友人已去,空余自己独身一人
But now my travel companion has gone and I'm alone heartbroken
一片晕红才著雨 yīpiàn yūn hóng cáizhe yǔ
眼前一片红花刚刚被春雨打湿花瓣
In front of me the spring rain just showered the petals safflower
几丝柔绿乍和烟 jǐ sī róu lǜ zhà hé yān
丝丝嫩柳在烟霭中随风摇曳
The willows branches sways like silk treads in the haze
倩魂销尽夕阳前 qiàn hún xiāo jǐn xīyáng qián
在夕阳落照前的美景令少女为之梦断魂销
The beautiful scenery of sunset makes the girl's dream vanished
飘零:飘落零散。
旧游:昔日之游。
断肠人:形容伤心悲痛到极点的人。
经年:一年或一年以上。
晕红:形容海棠花的色泽。
才 :一作“疑”。
著雨;春雨微著。
柔绿:柔嫩的绿柳。一说嫩绿的叶子。此句一作“晚风吹掠鬓云偏。”
倩魂:指少女美好的心魂。
Last time I went to museum and I was shocked to find out that there were rhinoceros in ancient China. Then I read from history books, and they mentioned about elephants
Apparently, before the Qin Dynasty, The Loess Plateau of China (黄土高原) was once a green land with forrests full of elephants and rhinoceroses.
Qin dynasty once set up a province called 象郡 which literally means “the province of elephants” in the southern China in 214BC.
Chinese trained elephants as “ancient tanks” to fight in many battles.
Apparently, before the Qin Dynasty, The Loess Plateau of China (黄土高原) was once a green land with forrests full of elephants and rhinoceroses.
Qin dynasty once set up a province called 象郡 which literally means “the province of elephants” in the southern China in 214BC.
Chinese trained elephants as “ancient tanks” to fight in many battles.
- According to the book of historical records and political theories at the end of Warring States period Annals of Lv Buwei 吕氏春秋 “殷人服象,为虐于东夷” - ”The Yin people handle the elephants, control them to defeat the Barbarians of the East successfully.”
- In the work of Mencius, 《孟子·滕文公章句下》, “ 周公相武王,誅紂;伐奄,三年討其君;驅飛廉於海隅而戮之;滅國者五十;驅虎、豹、犀、象而遠之。天下大悅。”
- In the book《左传 》, which was finished in the middle of 4th century BC(Warring States period), Army of Wu chased the Zhao King of Chu. Then Chu people “王使执燧象以奔吴师” tied something like reeds to the tail of elephants and burned them, then forced the Panic elephants to attack the Wu soldiers.
- In the time of Three Kingdoms(AD 220–280), Zhuge liang once lead his army to put down the rebellion of minorities in the south of Shu Kingdom, the leader of the minorities, Menghuo, once drove the war elephants andother animals as an powerful army to defend.
春花秋月何时了 Chūnhuā qiūyuè hé shíliǎo
When will the spring flowers and autumn moon end?
往事知多少 wǎngshì zhī duōshǎo
How much do you know about the past?
小楼昨夜又东风 xiǎo lóu zuóyè yòu dōngfēng
Last night an east wind blew on this small building
故国不堪回首月明中 gùguó bùkān huíshǒu yuè míng zhōng
In this moonlight, I can not bear to think of the past, of the fallen country
雕栏玉砌应犹在 diāo lán yù qì yīng yóu zài
Carved balustrades and marble steps are still remain
只是朱颜改 zhǐshì zhū yán gǎi
Only that beautiful face changed
问君能有几多愁 wèn jūn néng yǒu jǐ duō chóu
Asking myself how much disconsolate do I have
恰似一江春水向东流 qiàsì yī jiāng chūnshuǐ xiàng dōng liú
Just like a river of spring water rolling towards the east
Li Yu (Chinese: 李煜; c. 937[3] – 15 August 978[4]), before 961 known as Li Congjia (李從嘉), also known as Li Houzhu (李後主; literally "Last Ruler Li" or "Last Lord Li"), was the third ruler of the Southern Tang state during imperial China's Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period. He reigned from 961 until 976, when he was captured by the invading Song dynasty armies which annexed his kingdom. He died by poison on orders of Emperor Taizong of Song after 2 years essentially as an exiled prisoner.
Although an incompetent ruler, he was a representative lyric poet during his era, even to the extent of having been called the "first true master" of the ci form
In vernacular prose, it should be :
When will this year end?
How much do you know about the past?
Last night there was another spring wind* in the small building.
On this bright moonlit night, how can I bear the pain of recalling my old country?
Carved railings, Jade steps should still be there.
It's just that the person you miss is old.
Ask me how much sorrow I have in my heart.
Like this endless torrent of spring water rolling eastward
* Note: east wind/ spring wind could also be translated as revolutionary momentum
This what so called as "Yu Beauty" or Yu Meiren, is a style of poem. That's why there are so many poems are called Yu Beauty.
Teresa Teng, sang this poem in Mandarin, and also there's a Hokkien version of this poem.
When will the spring flowers and autumn moon end?
往事知多少 wǎngshì zhī duōshǎo
How much do you know about the past?
小楼昨夜又东风 xiǎo lóu zuóyè yòu dōngfēng
Last night an east wind blew on this small building
故国不堪回首月明中 gùguó bùkān huíshǒu yuè míng zhōng
In this moonlight, I can not bear to think of the past, of the fallen country
雕栏玉砌应犹在 diāo lán yù qì yīng yóu zài
Carved balustrades and marble steps are still remain
只是朱颜改 zhǐshì zhū yán gǎi
Only that beautiful face changed
问君能有几多愁 wèn jūn néng yǒu jǐ duō chóu
Asking myself how much disconsolate do I have
恰似一江春水向东流 qiàsì yī jiāng chūnshuǐ xiàng dōng liú
Just like a river of spring water rolling towards the east
Li Yu (Chinese: 李煜; c. 937[3] – 15 August 978[4]), before 961 known as Li Congjia (李從嘉), also known as Li Houzhu (李後主; literally "Last Ruler Li" or "Last Lord Li"), was the third ruler of the Southern Tang state during imperial China's Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period. He reigned from 961 until 976, when he was captured by the invading Song dynasty armies which annexed his kingdom. He died by poison on orders of Emperor Taizong of Song after 2 years essentially as an exiled prisoner.
Although an incompetent ruler, he was a representative lyric poet during his era, even to the extent of having been called the "first true master" of the ci form
In vernacular prose, it should be :
When will this year end?
How much do you know about the past?
Last night there was another spring wind* in the small building.
On this bright moonlit night, how can I bear the pain of recalling my old country?
Carved railings, Jade steps should still be there.
It's just that the person you miss is old.
Ask me how much sorrow I have in my heart.
Like this endless torrent of spring water rolling eastward
* Note: east wind/ spring wind could also be translated as revolutionary momentum
This what so called as "Yu Beauty" or Yu Meiren, is a style of poem. That's why there are so many poems are called Yu Beauty.
Teresa Teng, sang this poem in Mandarin, and also there's a Hokkien version of this poem.
A Song for a Beauty - by Li Yannian - Han Dynasty.
北方有佳人 Běifāng yǒu jiārén
There's an entrancing beauty on the north
绝世而独立 juéshì ér dúlì
Whose beauty stands alone.
一顾倾人城 yī gù qīng rén chéng
With one glance she collapsed a city
再顾倾人国 zài gù qīng rén guó
With a second glance she collapsed a country
宁不知倾城与倾国 níng bùzhī qīngchéng yǔ qīng guó
Prefer to not know , whether a city or a country collapse
佳人难再得 jiārén nán zài dé
Such beauty never comes around twice.
Li Yannian 李延年 was a eunuch during Han Wudi time. He was actually a talented musician, but because of certain circumstances, he was sent to castration and served at the court. He was a handsome young man. And Han Wudi 汉武帝 (a bisexual) was enchanted by him. At that time Li Yannian was actually a eunuch in charge of the emperor's hounds. But then because of his talent in music and singing, the emperor then put him in charge as the court musician (while also as the emperor's lover)
One day Li Yannian sang this song, and Han Wudi (who was a man who indulged in sex, both with women and men) sighed after he heard that song. He said : "I wonder if there's really any beauty like that exist on earth!"
Li Yannian then made an arrangement with Princess Pingyang (Han Wudi's sister). Princess Pingyang knew that her brother had a weakness on good looking women/men who could sing or dance. Actually Han Wudi got his second empress Wei Zifu when she was a a dancer at Princess Pingyang's house. But at that time Wei Zifu was already old and she's no longer that attractive to him. Therefore Princess Pingyang and Li Yannian agreed to get a beauty for the emperor. She said to Han Wudi, that there's indeed that kind of beauty, and that woman was Li Yannian's younger sister. He told Han Wudi that actually Li Yannian made that poem to praise her sister's beauty. Princess Pingyang had a close relationship with Han Wudi, and by recommending him beauties, she got more political and wealth benefits from him.
The middle-aged Han Wudi was so happy when he got this teenager beauty. It's not clear if she's really that beautiful like what the poem described, because actually it's pretty weird if Li Yannian really made that poem to praise his own sister's beauty. But Li Yannian's sister, together with Li Yannian, indeed could make Han Wudi happy.
For years, Li family enjoyed many privileges because of the status of this Concubine Li and Li Yannian. Another brother of Li Yannian, called Li Ji (李季) was also brought to the palace as a palace musician. Li Ji was a womanizer and had scandals with a lot of the palace maids. But Han Wudi closed his eyes and pretended that he knew nothing. Another brother, Li Guangli (李广利) was also appointed as a military commander.
Later on, Concubine Li died because of illness. Then her brother, Li Guangli defected to the Xiongnu. Han Wudi was enraged and had Li Yannian and Li Ji sentenced to death.
This song appeared in 四面埋伏 The House of Flying Dagger
Su Shi aka. Su Dongpo, got married when he was 19 years old, his wife was 16 years old. His wife died when she was only 27 years old. Because of his government duties, Su Shi had moved to many different places in China, all far away from his hometown. One night in early 1075, about 10 years after her death, Su Shi dreamed of his wife, then composed this famous cí.
十年生死两茫茫 Shí nián shēngsǐ liǎng mángmáng
For ten years the living and death are both boundless
不思量,自难忘 bù sīliang, zì nánwàng.
Don't have to intentionally remember it, since it is just hard unforgettable.
千里孤坟, Qiānlǐ gū fén
With your lonely grave thousands miles away,
无处话凄凉 wú chù huà qīliáng
where can I confide my loneliness?
纵使相逢应不识 Zòngshǐ xiāngféng yìng bù shí
Even if we met, could you recognize me,
尘满面,鬓如霜 chén mǎnmiàn, bìn rú shuāng
dust all over my face, hair on my temples have looked like frost?
夜来幽梦忽还乡 Yèlái yōu mèng hū huán xiāng
Last night in dream I returned hometown
小轩窗,正梳妆 xiǎo xuān chuāng, zhèng shūzhuāng
By the window, you were combing your hair.
相顾无言 Xiānggù wú yán
We looked at each other silently,
惟有泪千行 wéiyǒu lèi qiān xíng
with only endless tears.
料得年年肠断处 Liào dé nián nián chángduàn chù
There's a place which every year will be my misery,
明月夜,短松冈 míngyuè yè, duǎn sōng gāng
in the moonlight night, the cemetery hill with short pines.
十年生死两茫茫 Shí nián shēngsǐ liǎng mángmáng
For ten years the living and death are both boundless
不思量,自难忘 bù sīliang, zì nánwàng.
Don't have to intentionally remember it, since it is just hard unforgettable.
千里孤坟, Qiānlǐ gū fén
With your lonely grave thousands miles away,
无处话凄凉 wú chù huà qīliáng
where can I confide my loneliness?
纵使相逢应不识 Zòngshǐ xiāngféng yìng bù shí
Even if we met, could you recognize me,
尘满面,鬓如霜 chén mǎnmiàn, bìn rú shuāng
dust all over my face, hair on my temples have looked like frost?
夜来幽梦忽还乡 Yèlái yōu mèng hū huán xiāng
Last night in dream I returned hometown
小轩窗,正梳妆 xiǎo xuān chuāng, zhèng shūzhuāng
By the window, you were combing your hair.
相顾无言 Xiānggù wú yán
We looked at each other silently,
惟有泪千行 wéiyǒu lèi qiān xíng
with only endless tears.
料得年年肠断处 Liào dé nián nián chángduàn chù
There's a place which every year will be my misery,
明月夜,短松冈 míngyuè yè, duǎn sōng gāng
in the moonlight night, the cemetery hill with short pines.
Song Lian (宋濂, 1310–1381), style name Jinglian (景濂), was a literary and political adviser to the Ming dynasty founder, and one of the principal figures in the Mongol Yuan Dynasty Jinhua school of Neo-Confucianism. As a head of the official Bureau of History of the Ming dynasty, Song Lian directed compilation of the official dynastic history of the preceding defunct Yuan Dynasty.
<< Bingzhou laced scissors
This Yue Song by Song Lian, is a poem use scissors to represent separation and union.
恋郎思郎非一朝 liàn láng sī láng fēi yī zhāo
Missing my love (male) for not just a day
好似并州花剪刀 hǎosì bìng zhōu huā jiǎndāo
It's like blades of Bingzhou* laced scissors
一股在南一股北 yī gǔ zài nán yī gǔ běi
One blade is in the south, one blade is in the north
几时裁得合欢袍? jī shí cái dé hé huān páo?
When can they be joined together to be used to cut the the happy union robe **?
*Bingzhou is a place in now Taiyuan Shanxi Province. In its time, it was famous for their scissors making.
**合欢袍 : happy union robe is talking about wedding gown. The robe has a pair flowers, birds, fishes, etc. to describe the beautiful rich life of marriage.
The poem is basically talk about the wish of the couple who had been in love for a long time to get married soon. More romantic and elegant way rather than to say : Hey, marry me A.S.A.P! :p
<< Bingzhou laced scissors
This Yue Song by Song Lian, is a poem use scissors to represent separation and union.
恋郎思郎非一朝 liàn láng sī láng fēi yī zhāo
Missing my love (male) for not just a day
好似并州花剪刀 hǎosì bìng zhōu huā jiǎndāo
It's like blades of Bingzhou* laced scissors
一股在南一股北 yī gǔ zài nán yī gǔ běi
One blade is in the south, one blade is in the north
几时裁得合欢袍? jī shí cái dé hé huān páo?
When can they be joined together to be used to cut the the happy union robe **?
*Bingzhou is a place in now Taiyuan Shanxi Province. In its time, it was famous for their scissors making.
**合欢袍 : happy union robe is talking about wedding gown. The robe has a pair flowers, birds, fishes, etc. to describe the beautiful rich life of marriage.
The poem is basically talk about the wish of the couple who had been in love for a long time to get married soon. More romantic and elegant way rather than to say : Hey, marry me A.S.A.P! :p
Nalan Xingde ( 纳兰性德) January 19, 1655 – July 1, 1685), Manchu name Nara Singde, courtesy name Rongruo (容若), was a Qing dynasty Chinese poet, famous for his ci poetry.
Born in Beijing in January 1655, Nalan Xingde came from a powerful Manchu family that not only belonged to the Plain Yellow Banner of the Eight Banners, but was also related to royalty. His father Mingju, who became Grand Secretary in 1677, was second cousin to the Shunzhi Emperor, and his mother was the fifth daughter of Ajige, Prince Ying of the First Rank, and thus first cousin to the Shunzhi Emperor.
He was reportedly a bright child with a talent in writing poetry and essays. Like all Manchu boys, however, he was also taught riding and archery, and was said to be quite proficient in both.
By nineteen, he was already enjoying a literary reputation. However, success at the national civil service examination eluded him until 1676, when he obtained Jinshi Degree. In contrast to the more common practice of naming a jinshi a bureaucrat/official, the Kangxi Emperor gave Xingde a military position as a junior grade officer in the Imperial Bodyguard (三等侍衛).
Xingde became a close associate of the emperor, perhaps due to their similar ages, and often accompanied the emperor on royal tours of inspection. Later, Xingde was promoted to a higher position (一等侍衛). He was sent on a tour of the northern border to assess the damage caused by the Russian border raids and skirmishes.
When he was 19, he married the daughter of Lu Xingzu (盧興祖), who was the Viceroy of Guangdong. Three years into the marriage, his wife died in childbirth. He later took a concubine whose family name was Yan (顏) and eventually married a woman whose family name was Guan (官). At thirty, he took another concubine, Shen Wan(沈宛), who was a poet of some standing herself. He had at least three sons and several daughters.
He died at the age of 30, due to an unspecified illness.
He appeares in some historical fiction and tv series as Kangxi's friend/ bodyguard.
山一程,水一程
The journey through a vast mountains and long rivers
身向榆关那畔行
A journey from the outer wall to Yu Pass (Shanhai Guan Pass)
夜深千帐灯
Thousands of lights from the soldier's tents.
风一更,雪一更
The wind is harsh, the snow is fierce
聒碎乡心梦不成
The sound of scattering snow, an unfulfilled dream of a homeland
故园无此声
Old hometown (Beijing) has no this kind of sound
榆(yú)关:即今山海关,在今河北秦皇岛东北。
那畔 :即山海关的另一边,指身处关外。
千帐灯 :皇帝出巡临时住宿的行帐的灯火,千帐言军营之多。
聒(guō) :声音嘈杂,这里指风雪声。
故园 :故乡,这里指北京。
Apparently, this poem was written by Nalan Xingde when he accompanied Kangxi during his inspection tour expedition to the northeast after he pacified Wu Sangui in Kangxi 22nd reign year.
In popular culture, he appears as good looking man.
Born in Beijing in January 1655, Nalan Xingde came from a powerful Manchu family that not only belonged to the Plain Yellow Banner of the Eight Banners, but was also related to royalty. His father Mingju, who became Grand Secretary in 1677, was second cousin to the Shunzhi Emperor, and his mother was the fifth daughter of Ajige, Prince Ying of the First Rank, and thus first cousin to the Shunzhi Emperor.
He was reportedly a bright child with a talent in writing poetry and essays. Like all Manchu boys, however, he was also taught riding and archery, and was said to be quite proficient in both.
By nineteen, he was already enjoying a literary reputation. However, success at the national civil service examination eluded him until 1676, when he obtained Jinshi Degree. In contrast to the more common practice of naming a jinshi a bureaucrat/official, the Kangxi Emperor gave Xingde a military position as a junior grade officer in the Imperial Bodyguard (三等侍衛).
Xingde became a close associate of the emperor, perhaps due to their similar ages, and often accompanied the emperor on royal tours of inspection. Later, Xingde was promoted to a higher position (一等侍衛). He was sent on a tour of the northern border to assess the damage caused by the Russian border raids and skirmishes.
When he was 19, he married the daughter of Lu Xingzu (盧興祖), who was the Viceroy of Guangdong. Three years into the marriage, his wife died in childbirth. He later took a concubine whose family name was Yan (顏) and eventually married a woman whose family name was Guan (官). At thirty, he took another concubine, Shen Wan(沈宛), who was a poet of some standing herself. He had at least three sons and several daughters.
He died at the age of 30, due to an unspecified illness.
He appeares in some historical fiction and tv series as Kangxi's friend/ bodyguard.
山一程,水一程
The journey through a vast mountains and long rivers
身向榆关那畔行
A journey from the outer wall to Yu Pass (Shanhai Guan Pass)
夜深千帐灯
Thousands of lights from the soldier's tents.
风一更,雪一更
The wind is harsh, the snow is fierce
聒碎乡心梦不成
The sound of scattering snow, an unfulfilled dream of a homeland
故园无此声
Old hometown (Beijing) has no this kind of sound
榆(yú)关:即今山海关,在今河北秦皇岛东北。
那畔 :即山海关的另一边,指身处关外。
千帐灯 :皇帝出巡临时住宿的行帐的灯火,千帐言军营之多。
聒(guō) :声音嘈杂,这里指风雪声。
故园 :故乡,这里指北京。
Apparently, this poem was written by Nalan Xingde when he accompanied Kangxi during his inspection tour expedition to the northeast after he pacified Wu Sangui in Kangxi 22nd reign year.
In popular culture, he appears as good looking man.
A Song By Yue Girl, is an ancient poem from 2500 years ago. It is one of oldest poem that is still very popular until now.
The story is about Ejun Zixi (鄂君子皙) a brother of Chu State king who was traveling by boat in Yue State. The boatman was a girl who instantly fell in love with him. She could only sang in her own native language. The prince then asked someone to translate the song for him.
今夕何夕兮,搴舟中流 Jīnxī hé xī xī, qiān zhōu zhōngliú
what evening is this evening that I could roam leisurely on this little boat?
今日何日兮,得与王子同舟 Jīnrì hé rì xī, dé yǔ wángzǐ tóngzhōu
what day is today that I could be in the same boat with a prince?
蒙羞被好兮,不訾诟耻 Méng xiū bèi hǎo xī, bù zī gòu chǐ
be granted a favour, the prince did not give me a cold shoulder, nor look down on me although I am merely a boatman
心几烦而不绝兮,得知王子 xīn jǐ fán ér bù jué xī, dé zhī wángzǐ
my heart is perturbed since I know that he is a prince
山有木兮木有枝兮, shān yǒu mù xī mù yǒu zhī xī,
hills have their trees. trees have their branches.
心悦君兮君不知 xīn yuè jūn xī jūn bùzhī
deep inside my heart I like you, but you just don't know it.
When the prince knew the meaning of the song, he was deeply affected and moved. He immediately took off his embroidered robe and put it on the girl's shoulder and propose to marry her.
Yue State had long gone even before Qin Shihuang unification in 221 BC. We might never know how this poem sound like in its original language. Only glad that the writing is survive until now, and we could see that ancient peoples were pretty romantic.
Apparently this poem is pretty famous, and it was used in the film "The Banquet" ...and I just realized that the song in this film, has an English text. And the meaning (translation), is a bit different from my interpretation. How difficult it is to translate an ancient Chinese poem :( :(
Lu You (陆游/ 陸游; 1125–1209) was a prominent poet of China's Southern Song Dynasty(南宋).
He wrote many poems, and one of the most memorable is 钗头凤 / Phoenix Hairpin which actually about his love story.
Lu You grew up together with his cousin Tang Wan (唐琬), who was quiet and talented in literature. They fell deeply in love and were married when he was 20. They had no children, and his mother did not like Tang Wan. Although they had lived happily together, his mother forced them to divorce in order to make Lu You concentrate on studying to fulfill his aspiration of saving the Song dynasty which was under the treat of Jin.
In traditional Chinese culture, children were required to obey their parents. And out of filial piety, he divorced Tang Wan. She later married a nobleman named Zhao Shicheng (趙士程), and he married a woman from the Wang clan.
After they got divorced, both of them remarried and they had never in contact again. Eight years after the divorced, Lu You accidentaly met Tang Wan and her new husband when he had a sightseeing at Shenyuan (沈园) in modern day Shaoxing.
Tang Wan, asked permission to her new husband if she could gave a cup of wine to Lu You. Her husband allowed her. Then Tang Wan gave a cup of wine to Lu You. When her hands passed the wine to him, he saw her eyes brimmed with tears. His heart was broken, and he drank the cup of bitter wine to the bottom. He turned away and on the spot wrote the poem on the wall of the pavillion and left.
Tang Wan saw the poem and she then realized how deep his love to her. She became really sad and she recited the poem over and over again.
钗头凤
chāi tóu fèng
Phoenix Hairpin
【南宋】陆游 Lu You
红酥手,黄滕酒 hóng sū shǒu ,huáng téng jiǔ
Rosy soft hand, yellow Teng wine (could also be translated as yellow rippled wine. Can't find a right commentary of what Teng wine is. It might be rippled wine, or wine from Teng county. )
满城春色宫墙柳 Mǎnchéng chūn sè gōng qiáng liǔ
The color of spring as the willows by the palace wall
东风恶,欢情薄,dōngfēng è ,huān qíng bó
Harsh east wind, slight of joyous feeling
一杯愁绪,几年离索。yī bēi chóuxù ,jǐnián lí suǒ 。
A cup of melancholy feeling, years of desolation and loneliness
错,错,错!cuò ,cuò ,cuò !
Wrong, wrong, wrong
春如旧,人空瘦,chūn rú jiù ,rén kōng shòu
The spring still remain like before, while she turns empty and thin
泪痕红浥鲛绡透。lèi hén hóng yì jiāo xiāo tòu
red scars left by the tears on the damp silk handkerchief
桃花落,闲池阁,táo huā luò ,xián chí gé
Peach blossoms fall on the empty pool pavilion
山盟虽在,锦书难托 shān méng suī zài ,jǐn shū nán tuō
The pledge of love is still remain, yet the brocade book could not hold it anymore (means : yet it can't be professed )
莫,莫,莫!mò ,mò ,mò !
Don't, don't, don't
Tang Wan then wrote another poem to reply Lu You's poem, on the wall side by side with Lu You's poem. Broken hearted, Tang Wan died a year after the short encounter at the park. She was only 28 years old.
世情薄,人世恶 shì qíng bó ,rén shì è ,
Life is cruel, and the world is evil
雨送黄昏花易落 yǔ sòng huánghūn huā yì luò
The twilight rain causes the leaves fall
晓风干,泪痕残, xiǎo fēng gān ,lèi hén cán ,
Dry wind in the dawn dries up tears mark
欲笺心事,独语斜阑 yù jiān xīnshì ,dú yǔ xié lán 。
I want to write down my feeling, but I shall not do it
难,难,难!nán ,nán ,nán !
Difficult, difficult, difficult!
人成名,今非昨,rén chéng míng ,jīn fēi zuó ,
He's now another person, present time is no longer like in the past
病魂长似秋千索 bìng hún cháng sì qiūqiān suǒ
This lonely soul fitful like a swinging rope
角声寒,夜阑珊,jiǎo shēng hán ,yè lán shān ,
The horn sounds cold, and the night is waning
怕人来问,咽泪装欢。pà rén lái wèn ,yān lèi zhuāng huān 。
I'm afraid people would ask, so I choke my tears and pretend to be happy
瞒,瞒,瞒!mán ,mán ,mán
Conceal, conceal, conceal.
It was said that in his twilight years, Lu You often visited Shen Yuan to cherish his past memory of Tang Wan.
He wrote many poems, and one of the most memorable is 钗头凤 / Phoenix Hairpin which actually about his love story.
Lu You grew up together with his cousin Tang Wan (唐琬), who was quiet and talented in literature. They fell deeply in love and were married when he was 20. They had no children, and his mother did not like Tang Wan. Although they had lived happily together, his mother forced them to divorce in order to make Lu You concentrate on studying to fulfill his aspiration of saving the Song dynasty which was under the treat of Jin.
In traditional Chinese culture, children were required to obey their parents. And out of filial piety, he divorced Tang Wan. She later married a nobleman named Zhao Shicheng (趙士程), and he married a woman from the Wang clan.
After they got divorced, both of them remarried and they had never in contact again. Eight years after the divorced, Lu You accidentaly met Tang Wan and her new husband when he had a sightseeing at Shenyuan (沈园) in modern day Shaoxing.
Tang Wan, asked permission to her new husband if she could gave a cup of wine to Lu You. Her husband allowed her. Then Tang Wan gave a cup of wine to Lu You. When her hands passed the wine to him, he saw her eyes brimmed with tears. His heart was broken, and he drank the cup of bitter wine to the bottom. He turned away and on the spot wrote the poem on the wall of the pavillion and left.
Tang Wan saw the poem and she then realized how deep his love to her. She became really sad and she recited the poem over and over again.
钗头凤
chāi tóu fèng
Phoenix Hairpin
【南宋】陆游 Lu You
红酥手,黄滕酒 hóng sū shǒu ,huáng téng jiǔ
Rosy soft hand, yellow Teng wine (could also be translated as yellow rippled wine. Can't find a right commentary of what Teng wine is. It might be rippled wine, or wine from Teng county. )
满城春色宫墙柳 Mǎnchéng chūn sè gōng qiáng liǔ
The color of spring as the willows by the palace wall
东风恶,欢情薄,dōngfēng è ,huān qíng bó
Harsh east wind, slight of joyous feeling
一杯愁绪,几年离索。yī bēi chóuxù ,jǐnián lí suǒ 。
A cup of melancholy feeling, years of desolation and loneliness
错,错,错!cuò ,cuò ,cuò !
Wrong, wrong, wrong
春如旧,人空瘦,chūn rú jiù ,rén kōng shòu
The spring still remain like before, while she turns empty and thin
泪痕红浥鲛绡透。lèi hén hóng yì jiāo xiāo tòu
red scars left by the tears on the damp silk handkerchief
桃花落,闲池阁,táo huā luò ,xián chí gé
Peach blossoms fall on the empty pool pavilion
山盟虽在,锦书难托 shān méng suī zài ,jǐn shū nán tuō
The pledge of love is still remain, yet the brocade book could not hold it anymore (means : yet it can't be professed )
莫,莫,莫!mò ,mò ,mò !
Don't, don't, don't
Tang Wan then wrote another poem to reply Lu You's poem, on the wall side by side with Lu You's poem. Broken hearted, Tang Wan died a year after the short encounter at the park. She was only 28 years old.
世情薄,人世恶 shì qíng bó ,rén shì è ,
Life is cruel, and the world is evil
雨送黄昏花易落 yǔ sòng huánghūn huā yì luò
The twilight rain causes the leaves fall
晓风干,泪痕残, xiǎo fēng gān ,lèi hén cán ,
Dry wind in the dawn dries up tears mark
欲笺心事,独语斜阑 yù jiān xīnshì ,dú yǔ xié lán 。
I want to write down my feeling, but I shall not do it
难,难,难!nán ,nán ,nán !
Difficult, difficult, difficult!
人成名,今非昨,rén chéng míng ,jīn fēi zuó ,
He's now another person, present time is no longer like in the past
病魂长似秋千索 bìng hún cháng sì qiūqiān suǒ
This lonely soul fitful like a swinging rope
角声寒,夜阑珊,jiǎo shēng hán ,yè lán shān ,
The horn sounds cold, and the night is waning
怕人来问,咽泪装欢。pà rén lái wèn ,yān lèi zhuāng huān 。
I'm afraid people would ask, so I choke my tears and pretend to be happy
瞒,瞒,瞒!mán ,mán ,mán
Conceal, conceal, conceal.
It was said that in his twilight years, Lu You often visited Shen Yuan to cherish his past memory of Tang Wan.
Author
I love reading history and wuxia novels. History books and wuxia novels inspire me a lot that I decided to visit places mentioned in wuxia novel or books I read. I also do calligraphy and play Chinese musical instruments as I was inspired by wuxia.
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