Analysis of "六丑·蔷薇谢后作" - Classical Chinese Poetry

Introduction

The poem "六丑·蔷薇谢后作" (Liù Chǒu · Qiángwēi Xiè Hòu Zuò) was written by Zhou Bangyan (周邦彦, 1056–1121), a renowned poet of the Northern Song Dynasty. Zhou was a master of the ci (词) form, a type of classical Chinese poetry that blends lyrical expression with musicality.

This poem reflects on the fleeting beauty of nature, specifically the withering of roses (qiángwēi), and intertwines themes of transience, melancholy, and unfulfilled love. It is considered one of Zhou's finest works, showcasing his delicate imagery and emotional depth.

The Poem: Full Text and Translation

正单衣试酒，怅客里、光阴虚掷。
Zhèng dān yī shì jiǔ, chàng kè lǐ, guāngyīn xū zhì.
In light robes, tasting wine, I sigh—a traveler idly wasting time.

愿春暂留，春归如过翼，一去无迹。
Yuàn chūn zàn liú, chūn guī rú guò yì, yī qù wú jī.
I beg spring to linger, but it flees like a bird’s wing, leaving no trace.

为问花何在？夜来风雨，葬楚宫倾国。
Wèi wèn huā hé zài? Yè lái fēngyǔ, zàng Chǔ gōng qīngguó.
Where are the flowers now? Last night’s storm buried the beauties of Chu.

钗钿堕处遗香泽，乱点桃蹊，轻翻柳陌。
Chāi diàn duò chù yí xiāng zé, luàn diǎn táo xī, qīng fān liǔ mò.
Hairpins fallen, fragrance lingers, scattered on peach paths, drifting over willow lanes.

多情为谁追惜？但蜂媒蝶使，时叩窗槅。
Duōqíng wèi shéi zhuīxī? Dàn fēng méi dié shǐ, shí kòu chuāng gé.
Who mourns their loss? Only bees and butterflies tap at my window in grief.

东园岑寂，渐蒙笼暗碧。
Dōngyuán cénjì, jiàn méng lóng àn bì.
The east garden lies silent, veiled in deepening green.

静绕珍丛底，成叹息。
Jìng rào zhēn cóng dǐ, chéng tànxī.
Quietly circling precious blooms, I sigh.

长条故惹行客，似牵衣待话，别情无极。
Cháng tiáo gù rě xíngkè, sì qiān yī dài huà, biéqíng wújí.
Long branches tug at my sleeves, as if pleading to speak of endless parting sorrows.

残英小、强簪巾帻。
Cán yīng xiǎo, qiáng zān jīn zé.
A small withered petal clings to my hat—a frail keepsake.

终不似、一朵钗头颤袅，向人欹侧。
Zhōng bù sì, yī duǒ chāi tóu chàn niǎo, xiàng rén yī cè.
Yet nothing compares to a fresh bloom trembling on a hairpin, tilting toward a lover.

漂流处、莫趁潮汐。
Piāoliú chù, mò chèn cháoxī.
Where petals drift, don’t follow the tides.

恐断红、尚有相思字，何由见得？
Kǒng duàn hóng, shàng yǒu xiāngsī zì, hé yóu jiàn dé?
What if these torn petals bear love letters—who would ever see?

Line-by-Line Analysis

1. "In light robes, tasting wine, I sigh—a traveler idly wasting time."
   The poet sets a melancholic tone, portraying himself as a wanderer lamenting lost time.

2. "I beg spring to linger, but it flees like a bird’s wing, leaving no trace."
   Spring’s departure symbolizes life’s impermanence, a common theme in Chinese poetry.

3. "Where are the flowers now? Last night’s storm buried the beauties of Chu."
   The "beauties of Chu" metaphorically represent the fallen roses, linking them to legendary tragic figures.

4. "Hairpins fallen, fragrance lingers..."
   The imagery of scattered hairpins evokes the remnants of beauty after decay.

5. "Who mourns their loss? Only bees and butterflies tap at my window in grief."
   Nature itself seems to mourn, personified through insects.

6. "Long branches tug at my sleeves, as if pleading to speak of endless parting sorrows."
   The roses’ thorns become symbols of lingering attachment and unspoken farewells.

Themes and Symbolism

• Transience of Beauty: The roses’ withering mirrors human fragility.
• Unfulfilled Love: The "love letters" on petals suggest missed connections.
• Nature’s Sentience: Bees, butterflies, and even plants express emotion.

Cultural Context

Zhou Bangyan wrote during the Song Dynasty, a golden age for ci poetry. His work reflects Daoist influences—accepting life’s flux—and Confucian nostalgia for idealized beauty. The rose (qiángwēi) symbolizes both passion and sorrow in Chinese literature.

Conclusion

"六丑·蔷薇谢后作" captures the heartache of ephemeral beauty with exquisite imagery. Its themes resonate universally, reminding us to cherish fleeting moments. Zhou’s genius lies in making decay achingly beautiful—a lesson in finding grace in impermanence.

"Where petals drift, don’t follow the tides." Perhaps some losses are meant to be mourned, not chased.