Analysis of "长安遇冯著" - Classical Chinese Poetry

Introduction

"长安遇冯著" (Cháng'ān Yù Féng Zhù) is a poignant poem by the Tang Dynasty poet Wei Yingwu (韦应物, 737–792). Known for his refined and understated style, Wei often wrote about friendship, solitude, and the passage of time. This poem captures a chance encounter with an old friend in Chang'an (modern Xi'an), the bustling capital of the Tang Dynasty. Through vivid imagery and emotional depth, Wei reflects on the transience of life and the bittersweet nature of reunions.

The Poem: Full Text and Translation

Title:
长安遇冯著
Cháng'ān Yù Féng Zhù
Meeting Feng Zhu in Chang'an

Lines:
1. 客从东方来
Kè cóng dōngfāng lái
A guest arrives from the east,

2. 衣上灞陵雨
   Yī shàng Bàlíng yǔ
   His robe still damp with Baling rain.

3. 问客何为来
   Wèn kè hé wéi lái
   I ask why he has come,

4. 采山因买斧
   Cǎi shān yīn mǎi fǔ
   "To cut trees and buy an axe."

5. 冥冥花正开
   Míngmíng huā zhèng kāi
   Flowers bloom in silent dusk,

6. 飏飏燕新乳
   Yángyáng yàn xīn rǔ
   Young swallows flit on tender wings.

7. 昨别今已春
   Zuó bié jīn yǐ chūn
   Yesterday we parted; now it's spring,

8. 鬓丝生几缕
   Bìn sī shēng jǐ lǚ
   How many white hairs grace our temples?

Line-by-Line Analysis

1. "A guest arrives from the east"
   The poem opens with a traveler’s arrival, suggesting movement and change. The "east" may symbolize renewal or distant memories.

2. "His robe still damp with Baling rain"
   Baling (灞陵) was a famous site of farewells in Tang poetry. The lingering rain evokes melancholy and the weight of past separations.

3-4. The guest’s purpose
The answer—"to cut trees and buy an axe"—hints at mundane labor, contrasting with the poetic setting. This may symbolize life’s harsh realities interrupting moments of reflection.

5-6. Nature’s quiet beauty
The "silent dusk" and "young swallows" depict spring’s vitality, juxtaposed with human impermanence. The imagery is delicate yet fleeting.

7-8. Time’s passage
The shift from parting to spring underscores how quickly time passes. The "white hairs" are a visceral reminder of aging and shared history.

Themes and Symbolism

• Transience: The poem contrasts nature’s cyclical renewal (flowers, swallows) with human aging (white hair).
• Friendship: The reunion is tender but tinged with sadness, as both men confront time’s toll.
• Labor vs. Reflection: The guest’s practical task ("buy an axe") interrupts the lyrical moment, mirroring life’s interruptions.

Key symbols:
- Baling rain: Represents farewells and lingering sorrow.
- Young swallows: Symbolize hope and new beginnings.
- White hairs: A universal metaphor for mortality.

Cultural Context

The Tang Dynasty (618–907) was a golden age of Chinese poetry, where literati often exchanged verses about friendship and nature. Chang'an, as the capital, was a hub of such encounters. Wei Yingwu’s work reflects Confucian values of loyalty and Daoist appreciation for nature’s rhythms. The poem’s brevity and restraint align with classical aesthetics, where emotion is suggested rather than stated.

Conclusion

"长安遇冯著" captures a fleeting moment where joy and sorrow intertwine. Its power lies in simplicity—a damp robe, blooming flowers, and the shock of white hairs speak volumes about time’s passage. For modern readers, the poem resonates as a meditation on how reunions reveal both connection and loss. In just eight lines, Wei Yingwu reminds us that beauty and melancholy are inseparable companions.