Analysis of "买花" - Classical Chinese Poetry

Introduction

The poem "买花" (Mǎi Huā, "Buying Flowers") is a famous work by the Tang Dynasty poet Bai Juyi (白居易, 772–846). Bai Juyi was a leading figure of the New Yuefu Movement, which emphasized writing poetry that reflected social realities in simple, accessible language. "买花" is a poignant critique of the extravagance of the Tang elite, contrasting their lavish spending on flowers with the struggles of the poor. This poem remains significant for its social commentary and its embodiment of Confucian ideals of compassion and moral responsibility.

The Poem: Full Text and Translation

买花
Mǎi Huā
Buying Flowers

帝城春欲暮，
Dì chéng chūn yù mù,
The imperial city approaches the end of spring,

喧喧车马度。
Xuān xuān chē mǎ dù.
Carriages and horses bustle noisily.

共道牡丹时，
Gòng dào mǔdān shí,
All speak of the peony season,

相随买花去。
Xiāng suí mǎi huā qù.
Following one another to buy flowers.

贵贱无常价，
Guì jiàn wú cháng jià,
Prices vary wildly,

酬直看花数。
Chóu zhí kàn huā shù.
The cost depends on the blooms' beauty.

灼灼百朵红，
Zhuó zhuó bǎi duǒ hóng,
A hundred dazzling red blossoms,

戋戋五束素。
Jiān jiān wǔ shù sù.
Priced at five rolls of fine silk.

上张幄幕庇，
Shàng zhāng wò mù bì,
Sheltered by a canopy above,

旁织笆篱护。
Páng zhī bā lí hù.
Fenced with woven bamboo for protection.

水洒复泥封，
Shuǐ sǎ fù ní fēng,
Watered and packed with mud,

移来色如故。
Yí lái sè rú gù.
Transplanted, their colors unchanged.

家家习为俗，
Jiā jiā xí wéi sú,
Every household treats this as custom,

人人迷不悟。
Rén rén mí bù wù.
All are lost in obsession, unaware.

有一田舍翁，
Yǒu yī tián shè wēng,
There was an old farmer,

偶来买花处。
Ǒu lái mǎi huā chù.
Who happened upon the flower market.

低头独长叹，
Dī tóu dú cháng tàn,
He bowed his head and sighed deeply,

此叹无人谕。
Cǐ tàn wú rén yù.
A sigh no one understood.

一丛深色花，
Yī cóng shēn sè huā,
A cluster of deep-hued flowers,

十户中人赋。
Shí hù zhōng rén fù.
Costs the tax of ten middle-class families.

Line-by-Line Analysis

1. "The imperial city approaches the end of spring..."
   Bai Juyi sets the scene in Chang’an, the Tang capital, where the elite rush to buy peonies—a symbol of wealth and luxury. The bustling carriages highlight their extravagance.

2. "Prices vary wildly..."
   The poet critiques the arbitrary pricing of flowers, comparing their value to fine silk, a luxury commodity.

3. "A hundred dazzling red blossoms..."
   The vivid imagery of "dazzling red" emphasizes the beauty of the peonies, but the cost—five rolls of silk—hints at excess.

4. "Sheltered by a canopy..."
   The meticulous care for the flowers contrasts with the neglect of the poor, a recurring theme in Bai Juyi’s work.

5. "Every household treats this as custom..."
   The poet laments how society blindly follows this wasteful tradition without questioning its morality.

6. "There was an old farmer..."
   The farmer’s sigh represents the voice of the oppressed, ignored by the elite. His grief underscores the poem’s social critique.

7. "A cluster of deep-hued flowers..."
   The final lines deliver the poem’s moral: the cost of one bouquet equals the taxes of ten families, exposing the inequality of Tang society.

Themes and Symbolism

• Social Inequality: The poem contrasts the luxury of the elite with the suffering of peasants.
• Moral Responsibility: Bai Juyi, influenced by Confucianism, urges readers to reflect on societal injustices.
• Peonies as Symbols: The flowers represent fleeting beauty and decadence, critiquing materialism.

Cultural Context

During the Tang Dynasty, peony fever (mǔdān rè) consumed the aristocracy. Bai Juyi, a government official, often wrote about the plight of commoners. "买花" reflects his belief that poetry should serve a moral purpose, aligning with Confucian ideals of ren (benevolence) and social harmony.

Conclusion

"买花" remains a powerful indictment of wealth disparity and blind conformity. Bai Juyi’s simple yet profound language makes his message timeless. In today’s world, where luxury and poverty still coexist, the poem’s call for empathy and justice resonates deeply. Through this critique, Bai Juyi reminds us that art should not just delight but also awaken conscience.