Analysis of "古朗月行" - Classical Chinese Poetry

Introduction

"古朗月行" (Gǔ Lǎng Yuè Xíng, "Ballad of the Ancient Bright Moon") is a famous poem by the Tang Dynasty poet Li Bai (李白, 701–762), one of China's most celebrated literary figures. Known as the "Immortal Poet," Li Bai was renowned for his romanticism, vivid imagery, and free-spirited style. This poem reflects his fascination with the moon—a recurring motif in his works—and blends childlike wonder with philosophical depth.

The Poem: Full Text and Translation

Full Text:

小时不识月，
Xiǎo shí bù shí yuè,
As a child, I did not know the moon,

呼作白玉盘。
Hū zuò bái yù pán.
I called it a white jade plate.

又疑瑶台镜，
Yòu yí yáo tái jìng,
Or perhaps a mirror from the Jasper Terrace,

飞在青云端。
Fēi zài qīng yún duān.
Flying high above the blue clouds.

仙人垂两足，
Xiān rén chuí liǎng zú,
The immortals dangle their feet,

桂树何团团。
Guì shù hé tuán tuán.
The cassia tree grows lush and round.

白兔捣药成，
Bái tù dǎo yào chéng,
The white hare pounds herbs into medicine,

问言与谁餐？
Wèn yán yǔ shuí cān?
I ask, "For whom is this feast?"

蟾蜍蚀圆影，
Chán chú shí yuán yǐng,
The toad devours the moon's full glow,

大明夜已残。
Dà míng yè yǐ cán.
The bright night is left broken.

羿昔落九乌，
Yì xī luò jiǔ wū,
Once, Yi shot down nine suns,

天人清且安。
Tiān rén qīng qiě ān.
Bringing peace to heaven and earth.

阴精此沦惑，
Yīn jīng cǐ lún huò,
Now the moon’s essence is lost in shadow,

去去不足观。
Qù qù bù zú guān.
Gone, no longer worth beholding.

忧来其如何？
Yōu lái qí rú hé?
What can I do with this sorrow?

凄怆摧心肝。
Qī chuàng cuī xīn gān.
Grief wrenches my heart and liver.

Line-by-Line Analysis

1. Childhood Wonder (Lines 1–4)
   The poem begins with innocent curiosity, comparing the moon to a "jade plate" and a celestial mirror. These images evoke a child’s unfiltered imagination, untouched by worldly disillusionment.

2. Mythological Imagery (Lines 5–8)
   Li Bai references Chinese folklore:
   - Immortals and the Cassia Tree: In legend, the moon is home to a cassia tree and the immortal Wu Gang.
   - Jade Hare: A mythical hare pounds the elixir of immortality, symbolizing eternal mystery.

3. Darkness Intrudes (Lines 9–12)
   The mood shifts as the poet introduces the "toad" (symbolizing eclipses or corruption) devouring the moon’s light. The broken night mirrors his growing despair.

4. Historical Allusion (Lines 13–16)
   The archer Yi, who saved the world by shooting down excess suns, contrasts with the present decay. The moon’s "lost essence" reflects Li Bai’s lament for a purer past.

5. Personal Grief (Lines 17–18)
   The closing lines reveal profound sorrow, with "heart and liver" symbolizing visceral pain. The poet’s idealism collides with reality.

Themes and Symbolism

• Innocence vs. Disillusionment: The poem traces a journey from childlike awe to adult melancholy.
• Cosmic Beauty and Decay: The moon embodies both celestial wonder and impermanence.
• Myth as Metaphor: Legends of Yi and the jade hare underscore themes of lost harmony.

Cultural Context

Written during the Tang Dynasty’s golden age, Li Bai’s work reflects Daoist influences—revering nature while grappling with life’s transience. The moon, a classic symbol in Chinese poetry, represents enlightenment, loneliness, and the unattainable.

Conclusion

"古朗月行" captures Li Bai’s genius: blending myth, personal emotion, and existential questioning. Its timeless appeal lies in its universal themes—how wonder fades, yet beauty endures in memory. For modern readers, it invites reflection on how we, too, navigate innocence and experience under the same eternal moon.

"The moon is a silent poet, and Li Bai its most eloquent interpreter."

Further Exploration: Compare this to Li Bai’s "Quiet Night Thought" (《静夜思》), another moon-themed masterpiece. Both poems use lunar imagery to bridge the personal and the cosmic.