Analysis of a Classic Chinese Poem: 听张立本女吟

# Analysis of "听张立本女吟" - Classical Chinese Poetry

## Introduction
"听张立本女吟" (Tīng Zhāng Lìběn Nǚ Yín) is a mysterious Tang Dynasty poem attributed to an anonymous female poet, performed by the daughter of a minor official named Zhang Liben. This short lyrical piece captures a moment of haunting beauty and melancholy, showcasing the Tang Dynasty's golden age of poetry (618–907 CE). The poem stands out for its ethereal imagery and emotional depth, reflecting the Chinese literary tradition of "poetry as painting" (诗中有画).

## The Poem: Full Text and Translation

> 危冠广袖楚宫妆  
> *Wēi guān guǎng xiù chǔ gōng zhuāng*  
> Tall hat, wide sleeves, Chu palace attire  

> 独步闲庭逐夜凉  
> *Dú bù xián tíng zhú yè liáng*  
> Alone she strolls the courtyard, chasing night's chill  

> 自把玉钗敲砌竹  
> *Zì bǎ yù chāi qiāo qì zhú*  
> Tapping bamboo with her jade hairpin  

> 清歌一曲月如霜  
> *Qīng gē yī qǔ yuè rú shuāng*  
> A pure song rises—moonlight turns to frost  

## Line-by-Line Analysis

**Line 1** introduces the singer through her striking appearance. The "Chu palace attire" references the romanticized fashion of the ancient Chu Kingdom (circa 1000 BCE), suggesting elegance and nostalgia. The "tall hat" (危冠) was typically worn by men, hinting at gender ambiguity.

**Line 2** establishes the scene: a solitary figure moving through a moonlit courtyard. The verb "chasing" (逐) implies restless energy, while "night's chill" conveys emotional loneliness.

**Line 3** contains the poem's most famous action—using a jade hairpin to tap bamboo. This creates natural percussion, blending human artistry with nature's rhythm. The "砌竹" (bamboo by the steps) symbolizes resilience in Chinese culture.

**Line 4** delivers the climax as song and moonlight merge. The simile "moonlight turns to frost" transforms auditory beauty into visual imagery, suggesting both artistic transcendence and emotional coldness.

## Themes and Symbolism

**Transience and Artistry**: The ephemeral moment—song fading, moonlight shifting—embodies the Buddhist concept of impermanence while celebrating artistic creation.

**Loneliness vs. Connection**: The solitary singer communicates through music, bridging human emotion and natural world. Bamboo (a Confucian symbol of integrity) becomes her instrument.

**Gender Ambiguity**: The masculine hat and feminine jade hairpin create intriguing tension, possibly commenting on women's limited creative outlets in Tang society.

## Cultural Context

This poem exemplifies several Tang Dynasty values:
- **Yijing (意境)**: The "artistic conception" blending scene and emotion
- **Wu (物) and Wo (我)**: The interplay between observer and nature
- **Scholar-Beauty tradition**: The refined female figure as cultural ideal

The reference to Chu culture connects to the Tang elite's fascination with China's ancient southern kingdoms, known for shamanistic traditions and lyrical poetry.

## Conclusion

"听张立本女吟" captures a fleeting moment where music, moonlight, and human emotion become indistinguishable. Its power lies in subtle suggestion rather than explicit statement—a hallmark of classical Chinese poetry. Today, the poem speaks to universal experiences: the loneliness of creation, the search for connection, and art's ability to transform ordinary moments into transcendent beauty. As the singer's notes fade into the frosty moonlight, we're reminded how all great art exists at the boundary between the tangible and the eternal.