Analysis of a Classic Chinese Poem: 点绛唇

# Analysis of "点绛唇" - Classical Chinese Poetry

## Introduction  
The *Diǎn Jiàng Chún* (点绛唇, "Rouged Lips") is a famous *cí* (词) poetry form that originated in the Tang Dynasty and flourished during the Song Dynasty. This article examines one of the most celebrated *Diǎn Jiàng Chún* poems by **Li Qingzhao** (李清照, 1084–c.1155), China's foremost female poet. Written during the Southern Song Dynasty, this poem reflects Li's signature delicate yet profound style, blending personal emotion with vivid natural imagery. It remains a masterpiece of classical Chinese literature for its emotional depth and linguistic elegance.

## The Poem: Full Text and Translation  

> 蹴罢秋千  
> *Cù bà qiūqiān*  
> Rising from the swing,  

> 起来慵整纤纤手  
> *Qǐlái yōng zhěng xiānxiān shǒu*  
> I languidly adjust my slender hands.  

> 露浓花瘦  
> *Lù nóng huā shòu*  
> Dew thick, flowers frail—  

> 薄汗轻衣透  
> *Bó hàn qīng yī tòu*  
> A light sweat soaks my gauzy robe.  

> 见客入来  
> *Jiàn kè rù lái*  
> Seeing a guest enter,  

> 袜刬金钗溜  
> *Wà chǎn jīn chāi liū*  
> I flee barefoot, my gold hairpin slipping.  

> 和羞走  
> *Hé xiū zǒu*  
> Shyly I run away,  

> 倚门回首  
> *Yǐ mén huíshǒu*  
> Yet lean by the gate, glancing back—  

> 却把青梅嗅  
> *Què bǎ qīngméi xiù*  
> Pretending to sniff the green plums.  

## Line-by-Line Analysis  

1. **Swing and Languid Motion**  
   The opening lines depict a young woman (likely Li herself) after swinging, her hands tired. The "slender hands" (*xiānxiān shǒu*) emphasize femininity and leisure.  

2. **Nature’s Delicacy**  
   "Dew thick, flowers frail" contrasts the freshness of morning with fragility, mirroring the speaker's own vulnerability. The "light sweat" suggests subtle sensuality.  

3. **Sudden Interruption**  
   The arrival of an unnamed "guest" disrupts her solitude. The barefoot escape and slipping hairpin (*wà chǎn jīn chāi liū*) convey flustered innocence.  

4. **Shy Curiosity**  
   The final act—pretending to smell plums while stealing a glance—reveals playful coyness. The *qīngméi* (green plums) symbolize youthful love in Chinese culture.  

## Themes and Symbolism  

- **Youth and Innocence**: The poem captures a moment of girlish shyness, with the swing and plums evoking carefree adolescence.  
- **Hidden Desire**: The speaker’s "glancing back" hints at budding romantic interest, veiled by propriety.  
- **Nature as Mirror**: Dew and frail flowers reflect the speaker’s transient beauty and emotions.  

## Cultural Context  

Li Qingzhao wrote during a time when women’s voices were rarely heard in literature. Her ability to express intimate female experiences—like the tension between curiosity and modesty—was groundbreaking. The poem also reflects *wǎnyuē* (婉约, "graceful restraint") aesthetics, where emotions are suggested rather than stated.  

## Conclusion  

Li Qingzhao’s *Diǎn Jiàng Chún* is a gem of subtlety and emotional resonance. Through delicate imagery and unspoken longing, it transcends its historical context to speak universally about youth, love, and the fleetingness of beauty. For modern readers, it offers a window into both classical Chinese poetry and the timeless human heart.  

*"A single glance back at the gate—  
a moment that lingers for centuries."*