Analysis of "金陵图" - Classical Chinese Poetry

Introduction

The poem Jīn Líng Tú (金陵图) was written by the late Tang Dynasty poet Wéi Zhuāng (韦庄, c. 836–910). Known for his melancholic and reflective style, Wéi Zhuāng lived during a period of political turmoil as the Tang Dynasty collapsed. Jīn Líng Tú is a poignant reflection on the transience of glory and the inevitable decline of dynasties, using the historical city of Jinling (modern-day Nanjing) as a symbol of fallen grandeur.

This poem is significant in Chinese literature for its masterful blend of historical lament and personal sorrow, capturing the mood of an era marked by loss and nostalgia.

The Poem: Full Text and Translation

谁谓伤心画不成

Shéi wèi shāngxīn huà bù chéng

Who says heartbreak cannot be painted?

画人心逐世人情

Huà rén xīn zhú shì rén qíng

The painter’s heart follows worldly sentiments.

君看六幅南朝事

Jūn kàn liù fú nán cháo shì

Look at these six scenes of the Southern Dynasties,

老木寒云满故城

Lǎo mù hán yún mǎn gù chéng

Old trees and cold clouds fill the ancient city.

Line-by-Line Analysis

1. "Who says heartbreak cannot be painted?"
   - The opening line challenges the notion that sorrow is too abstract to depict in art. Wéi Zhuāng suggests that true emotion can indeed be captured visually.

2. "The painter’s heart follows worldly sentiments."
   - The poet implies that the artist’s work is shaped by the collective grief of the people, reflecting the sorrow of a nation in decline.

3. "Look at these six scenes of the Southern Dynasties,"
   - The "six scenes" likely refer to a series of paintings depicting the Southern Dynasties (420–589 CE), a period of fragmentation and instability in Chinese history.

4. "Old trees and cold clouds fill the ancient city."
   - The imagery of withered trees and chilly clouds evokes desolation, symbolizing the decay of Jinling, once a flourishing capital.

Themes and Symbolism

Transience of Power

The poem mourns the fall of dynasties, emphasizing that even great cities like Jinling eventually fade into ruin.

Art as a Mirror of Emotion

Wéi Zhuāng argues that art can convey deep sorrow, challenging the idea that grief is beyond representation.

Symbolism of Nature

• Old trees → Decline and the passage of time
• Cold clouds → A sense of lingering sorrow and abandonment

Cultural Context

Jinling (Nanjing) was the capital of several dynasties, including the Southern Dynasties and later the Ming Dynasty. Its historical significance made it a powerful symbol of rise and fall in Chinese literature.

During Wéi Zhuāng’s lifetime, the Tang Dynasty was collapsing, leading to the chaotic Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period. His poem reflects the collective anxiety of scholars who witnessed the disintegration of their civilization.

Conclusion

Jīn Líng Tú is a masterpiece of Tang poetry, blending personal melancholy with historical reflection. Its depiction of Jinling’s decay serves as a timeless reminder of impermanence—a theme that resonates even today.

For modern readers, the poem invites contemplation on how art captures human sorrow and how history often repeats its cycles of glory and ruin. Wéi Zhuāng’s words remain profoundly moving, bridging the past and present through the universal language of loss.