Analysis of "病马" - Classical Chinese Poetry

Introduction

The poem "病马" (Bìng Mǎ, "The Sick Horse") was written by Du Fu (杜甫, 712–770), one of China's greatest poets from the Tang Dynasty. Known as the "Poet Sage" for his profound moral and social consciousness, Du Fu often depicted the hardships of life and the suffering of common people. "病马" is a poignant example of his ability to imbue simple subjects with deep emotional and philosophical weight.

This poem is significant in Chinese literature for its allegorical richness—while ostensibly about an aging, ailing horse, it subtly reflects Du Fu's own struggles, loyalty, and resilience amid personal and societal turmoil.

The Poem: Full Text and Translation

乘尔亦已久
Chéng ěr yì yǐ jiǔ
I have ridden you for so long,

天寒关塞深
Tiān hán guān sài shēn
Through bitter cold and distant frontier passes.

尘中老尽力
Chén zhōng lǎo jìn lì
In the dust of life, you’ve aged, spent of strength,

岁晚病伤心
Suì wǎn bìng shāng xīn
Now, as years wane, sickness wounds my heart.

毛骨岂殊众
Máo gǔ qǐ shū zhòng
Your coat and bones—no different from others,

驯良犹至今
Xùn liáng yóu zhì jīn
Yet your gentle loyalty endures.

物微意不浅
Wù wēi yì bù qiǎn
A humble creature, yet your meaning runs deep—

感动一沉吟
Gǎn dòng yī chén yín
Moved, I sigh in silent reflection.

Line-by-Line Analysis

1. "I have ridden you for so long"
   The opening line establishes a bond between the poet and the horse, hinting at shared hardships over time.

2. "Through bitter cold and distant frontier passes"
   The "frontier passes" symbolize life's trials, possibly referencing Du Fu’s exile during the An Lushan Rebellion.

3. "In the dust of life, you’ve aged, spent of strength"
   "Dust of life" (尘中) evokes toil and weariness, mirroring Du Fu’s own exhaustion from a life of service and displacement.

4. "Now, as years wane, sickness wounds my heart"
   The horse’s sickness becomes a metaphor for the poet’s grief—over aging, unfulfilled ideals, or societal decay.

5. "Your coat and bones—no different from others"
   The horse’s ordinary appearance contrasts with its extraordinary spirit, much like Du Fu’s humble yet profound legacy.

6. "Yet your gentle loyalty endures"
   "Loyalty" (驯良) reflects Confucian values, suggesting steadfastness despite adversity.

7. "A humble creature, yet your meaning runs deep"
   The horse transcends its physicality, symbolizing resilience and the dignity of all beings.

8. "Moved, I sigh in silent reflection"
   The closing line reveals Du Fu’s empathy, inviting readers to contemplate life’s fragility and beauty.

Themes and Symbolism

1. Loyalty and Sacrifice

The horse embodies unwavering dedication, paralleling Du Fu’s own commitment to his country despite personal suffering.

2. Aging and Mortality

The "waning years" and sickness reflect Confucian and Daoist meditations on transience and acceptance.

3. The Noble in the Humble

The poem elevates the ordinary—a sick horse—into a vessel for profound philosophical inquiry, a hallmark of Du Fu’s work.

Cultural Context

Written during the Tang Dynasty’s decline, "病马" mirrors the era’s turmoil. Du Fu, exiled and impoverished, often used nature and animals to express his concerns for society. The horse, a traditional symbol of service in Chinese culture, here becomes a stand-in for the poet and the common people—both neglected yet noble.

Confucian ideals of loyalty (忠, zhōng) and Daoist appreciation for humility (无为, wúwéi) underpin the poem, blending moral reflection with quiet resignation.

Conclusion

"病马" is a masterpiece of understated elegance, where ailing flesh becomes a mirror for the human spirit. Du Fu’s ability to find depth in simplicity—to mourn, admire, and philosophize through a sick horse—reveals why his work endures. Today, the poem resonates as a reminder of dignity in struggle and the quiet bonds that sustain us.

In a world still grappling with displacement and resilience, Du Fu’s sigh—"感动一沉吟"—echoes across the centuries.