Analysis of "白马篇" - Classical Chinese Poetry

Introduction

"白马篇" (Bái Mǎ Piān, "The White Horse") is a famous poem by Cao Zhi (曹植, 192–232), a prominent poet of the Jian'an period during the Three Kingdoms era. Cao Zhi, the son of the warlord Cao Cao, was renowned for his literary talent and emotional depth. This poem reflects the heroic spirit and martial ethos of the time, celebrating the bravery and loyalty of a young warrior riding a white horse. It is considered one of the finest examples of yuefu (乐府) poetry, a genre rooted in folk traditions.

The Poem: Full Text and Translation

白马饰金羁，
Bái mǎ shì jīn jī,
A white horse adorned with golden reins,

连翩西北驰。
Lián piān xī běi chí.
Gallops swiftly toward the northwest.

借问谁家子，
Jiè wèn shuí jiā zǐ,
May I ask, whose son is this?

幽并游侠儿。
Yōu bīng yóu xiá ér.
A wandering knight from You and Bing.

少小去乡邑，
Shào xiǎo qù xiāng yì,
He left his homeland young,

扬声沙漠垂。
Yáng shēng shā mò chuí.
His fame spread across the desert frontier.

宿昔秉良弓，
Sù xī bǐng liáng gōng,
Since childhood, he wielded a fine bow,

楛矢何参差。
Hù shǐ hé cēn cī.
His arrows varied in length and strength.

控弦破左的，
Kòng xián pò zuǒ dì,
Drawing his bow, he pierces the left target,

右发摧月支。
Yòu fā cuī yuè zhī.
Releasing right, he shatters the moon-shaped mark.

仰手接飞猱，
Yǎng shǒu jiē fēi náo,
Raising his hand, he catches a flying monkey,

俯身散马蹄。
Fǔ shēn sàn mǎ tí.
Bending low, he scatters the horse's hooves.

狡捷过猴猿，
Jiǎo jié guò hóu yuán,
Agile, surpassing apes and monkeys,

勇剽若豹螭。
Yǒng piāo ruò bào chī.
Fierce and bold as a leopard or dragon.

边城多警急，
Biān chéng duō jǐng jí,
The border towns face frequent alarms,

虏骑数迁移。
Lǔ qí shù qiān yí.
Enemy horsemen shift their positions.

羽檄从北来，
Yǔ xí cóng běi lái,
Urgent dispatches arrive from the north,

厉马登高堤。
Lì mǎ dēng gāo dī.
He spurs his horse up the high embankment.

长驱蹈匈奴，
Cháng qū dǎo xiōng nú,
Charging deep, he tramples the Xiongnu,

左顾凌鲜卑。
Zuǒ gù líng xiān bēi.
Glancing left, he overpowers the Xianbei.

弃身锋刃端，
Qì shēn fēng rèn duān,
He risks his life at the spear's edge,

性命安可怀？
Xìng mìng ān kě huái?
How can he cherish his own safety?

父母且不顾，
Fù mǔ qiě bù gù,
He does not even think of his parents,

何言子与妻！
Hé yán zǐ yǔ qī!
Let alone his wife and child!

名编壮士籍，
Míng biān zhuàng shì jí,
His name is listed among the brave,

不得中顾私。
Bù dé zhōng gù sī.
He cannot afford private concerns.

捐躯赴国难，
Juān qū fù guó nàn,
He sacrifices himself for the nation's crisis,

视死忽如归。
Shì sǐ hū rú guī.
Facing death as if returning home.

Line-by-Line Analysis

The poem opens with vivid imagery of a white horse with golden reins, symbolizing nobility and martial prowess. The knight, introduced as a wandering hero from the frontier regions (You and Bing), embodies the ideal warrior—skilled, fearless, and selfless.

Cao Zhi emphasizes the knight's archery skills ("pierces the left target," "shatters the moon-shaped mark") and agility ("surpassing apes and monkeys"). These hyperbolic descriptions highlight his superhuman abilities, a common trope in heroic poetry.

The second half shifts to the knight's duty. When border alarms sound, he rushes to defend his homeland, disregarding personal safety. The lines "He sacrifices himself for the nation's crisis, / Facing death as if returning home" underscore his unwavering loyalty.

Themes and Symbolism

• Heroism and Patriotism: The knight represents the Confucian ideal of loyalty to the state, even at the cost of personal sacrifice.
• Martial Virtue: The poem glorifies physical prowess and courage, reflecting the warrior culture of the frontier.
• Selflessness: The knight's disregard for family ties contrasts with traditional filial piety, emphasizing duty over personal bonds.

Cultural Context

During the Three Kingdoms period, China was fragmented, and border conflicts were frequent. Poems like "白马篇" celebrated the martial spirit needed to defend the nation. Cao Zhi, though a prince, often wrote about heroic figures, possibly reflecting his own unrealized ambitions to serve his country.

Conclusion

"白马篇" is a stirring tribute to courage and sacrifice. Its vivid imagery and emotional intensity make it timeless, resonating with themes of duty and heroism that transcend cultures. Today, it reminds us of the enduring human spirit in the face of adversity.