Analysis of "送裴十八图南归嵩山" - Classical Chinese Poetry

Introduction

The poem "送裴十八图南归嵩山" (Sòng Péi Shíbā Túnán Guī Sōngshān) was written by the renowned Tang Dynasty poet Li Bai (李白, 701-762), one of China's most celebrated literary figures. This farewell poem was composed when Li Bai's friend Pei Tu was returning to Song Mountain (嵩山), a sacred Daoist site. The work exemplifies classic Tang poetry's elegance in expressing friendship, nature's beauty, and spiritual yearning during China's golden age of literature (8th century). It showcases Li Bai's signature romantic style that blends vivid imagery with emotional depth.

The Poem: Full Text and Translation

送裴十八图南归嵩山二首
Sòng Péi Shíbā Túnán guī Sōngshān èr shǒu
Two Poems on Seeing Off Pei Tu Returning South to Song Mountain

First Poem:

何处可为别
Héchù kě wéi bié
Where shall we bid our farewell?

长安青绮门
Cháng'ān qīng qǐ mén
At Chang'an's Green Silk Gate

胡姬招素手
Hújī zhāo sù shǒu
Western maidens wave their fair hands

延客醉金樽
Yán kè zuì jīn zūn
Inviting guests to drink from golden cups

临当上马时
Lín dāng shàng mǎ shí
Just as you mount your horse

我独与君言
Wǒ dú yǔ jūn yán
I alone speak with you

风吹芳兰折
Fēng chuī fāng lán zhé
The wind breaks fragrant orchids

日没鸟雀喧
Rì mò niǎo què xuān
At sunset, birds clamor noisily

举手指飞鸿
Jǔshǒu zhǐ fēihóng
Raising my hand to point at flying swans

此情难具论
Cǐ qíng nán jù lùn
These feelings are beyond words

Line-by-Line Analysis

Lines 1-4 establish the farewell setting in Chang'an (Tang Dynasty's capital), using cosmopolitan imagery. The "Green Silk Gate" references a famous city gate where foreign merchants gathered, while "Western maidens" (胡姬) allude to Central Asian dancers common in Tang taverns - showing the era's cultural diversity.

Lines 5-6 capture an intimate moment amid public revelry. While others drink, the poet privately shares last words with his departing friend, revealing their deep bond.

Lines 7-8 employ nature symbolism: Fragrant orchids (芳兰), representing virtue, are "broken" by wind, suggesting life's fragility. The noisy birds at dusk symbolize worldly distractions contrasting with the friends' meaningful connection.

Lines 9-10 conclude with profound gestures. Pointing at migrating swans (飞鸿) - traditional symbols of lofty ideals - the poet acknowledges their unspoken understanding transcends language.

Themes and Symbolism

Friendship Beyond Words: The poem's core theme is the ineffable quality of true friendship. The final line "此情难具论" (These feelings are beyond words) echoes Daoist and Buddhist concepts about language's limitations in expressing profound truths.

Nature's Symbolism: Li Bai uses natural elements as emotional metaphors:
- Orchids: Scholar-officials' integrity
- Flying swans: Spiritual aspirations
- Sunset: Life's transience

Urban vs. Spiritual: The tavern's worldly pleasures contrast with Song Mountain's sacred reputation as a Daoist retreat, reflecting Tang intellectuals' dual engagement with society and spirituality.

Cultural Context

Written during the Tang Dynasty's peak (713-765 CE), this poem reflects:
1. Cosmopolitan Chang'an: As Silk Road hub, the capital blended Chinese and Central Asian cultures (seen in "Western maidens").
2. Daoist Influences: Song Mountain was among China's sacred Five Mountains, associated with hermits and immortality seekers.
3. Literary Friendships: Scholar-officials like Li Bai and Pei Tu formed intellectual bonds through poetry exchanges, a key Tang cultural practice.

The work also demonstrates "送别诗" (farewell poetry) conventions - a major Tang genre expressing 离情别绪 (parting emotions) through natural imagery rather than direct sentiment.

Conclusion

Li Bai's masterpiece transforms a simple farewell into a meditation on friendship's transcendental quality. Through vivid contrasts - bustling city vs. quiet mountains, spoken words vs. silent understanding - the poem captures universal human experiences using distinctly Chinese symbols. Its enduring appeal lies in how perfectly it balances Tang Dynasty's worldly vibrancy with timeless spiritual yearning. For modern readers, the work offers both a historical window into China's golden age and a moving reminder that deepest connections often exist beyond language's reach.