Analysis of "金铜仙人辞汉歌" - Classical Chinese Poetry

Introduction

The poem "金铜仙人辞汉歌" (Jīn Tóng Xiānrén Cí Hàn Gē, "Song of the Bronze Immortal Leaving Han") was written by Li He (李贺, 790–816), a Tang Dynasty poet known for his melancholic and imaginative style. Often called the "Ghostly Talent" for his haunting imagery, Li He's works reflect deep sorrow, historical nostalgia, and a fascination with the supernatural.

This poem recounts the legendary story of Emperor Wu of Han's bronze statue, which was said to shed tears when forcibly relocated during the decline of the Han Dynasty. It symbolizes the inevitable fall of empires and the sorrow of separation, blending historical events with Li He's signature emotional intensity.

The Poem: Full Text and Translation

茂陵刘郎秋风客
Màolíng Liú láng qiūfēng kè
The Liu lord of Maoling, a guest of the autumn wind,

夜闻马嘶晓无迹
Yè wén mǎ sī xiǎo wú jì
At night, his horse neighs; by dawn, no trace remains.

画栏桂树悬秋香
Huà lán guì shù xuán qiū xiāng
Painted rails, cassia trees dangle autumn fragrance,

三十六宫土花碧
Sānshíliù gōng tǔhuā bì
Thirty-six palaces, moss grows emerald green.

魏官牵车指千里
Wèi guān qiān chē zhǐ qiān lǐ
Wei officials lead the cart, pointing a thousand miles away,

东关酸风射眸子
Dōng guān suān fēng shè móu zǐ
The east gate’s bitter wind stings the bronze eyes.

空将汉月出宫门
Kōng jiāng Hàn yuè chū gōng mén
In vain, the Han moon follows it past palace gates,

忆君清泪如铅水
Yì jūn qīng lèi rú qiān shuǐ
Remembering its lord, its tears fall like molten lead.

衰兰送客咸阳道
Shuāi lán sòng kè Xiányáng dào
Withered orchids see it off on Xianyang Road,

天若有情天亦老
Tiān ruò yǒuqíng tiān yì lǎo
If Heaven had feelings, even Heaven would grow old.

携盘独出月荒凉
Xié pán dú chū yuè huāngliáng
Alone, it carries its plate under a desolate moon,

渭城已远波声小
Wèichéng yǐ yuǎn bō shēng xiǎo
Weicheng grows distant, the river’s murmur fades.

Line-by-Line Analysis

1. "The Liu lord of Maoling..."
   - Refers to Emperor Wu of Han, buried at Maoling. "Guest of the autumn wind" suggests his fleeting existence—like a traveler in time.

2. "At night, his horse neighs..."
   - The emperor’s spirit lingers, but his power is gone by morning, emphasizing impermanence.

3-4. "Painted rails, cassia trees..."
- Describes the abandoned Han palaces, now overgrown with moss. The cassia (a symbol of immortality) contrasts with decay.

5-6. "Wei officials lead the cart..."
- The bronze statue is forcibly moved by the Wei Dynasty. "Bitter wind stings the eyes" personifies the statue’s grief.

7-8. "In vain, the Han moon follows..."
- The moon, a witness to Han glory, accompanies the statue, which weeps "tears like molten lead"—a striking metaphor for heavy sorrow.

9-10. "Withered orchids see it off..."
- Nature mourns the statue’s departure. The famous line "If Heaven had feelings, even Heaven would grow old" underscores cosmic sorrow.

11-12. "Alone, it carries its plate..."
- The statue’s loneliness mirrors the fall of Han. The fading river sounds symbolize the end of an era.

Themes and Symbolism

• Transience of Power: The poem mourns the Han Dynasty’s fall, showing even grand empires fade.
• Personification of Grief: The bronze statue’s tears and the weeping orchids make sorrow tangible.
• Nature as Witness: The moon, wind, and plants reflect human emotions, a common motif in Chinese poetry.

Cultural Context

Li He wrote during the mid-Tang Dynasty, a time of political decline. The poem reflects Confucian values of loyalty to past dynasties and Daoist themes of cosmic melancholy. The bronze immortal, originally a symbol of Emperor Wu’s quest for immortality, becomes a tragic figure—showing how even divine aspirations succumb to time.

Conclusion

"金铜仙人辞汉歌" is a masterpiece of emotional depth and historical reflection. Li He’s vivid imagery—tears of lead, a grieving Heaven—transforms a legend into a universal meditation on loss. Today, it resonates as a reminder of the fleeting nature of glory and the enduring power of art to immortalize emotion.

For readers exploring Chinese poetry, this poem offers a window into Tang Dynasty aesthetics, where history, nature, and human feeling intertwine.