Understanding "无题·白道萦回入暮霞" - Chinese Word Explanation

1. Basic Information

• Word: 无题·白道萦回入暮霞
• Pinyin: Wú tí · bái dào yíng huí rù mù xiá
• Literal Meaning: "Untitled · The white path winds into the evening glow"
• Primary Meaning: This is the opening line of a famous untitled poem by the Tang Dynasty poet Li Shangyin (李商隐). It describes a winding path disappearing into the sunset, often symbolizing mystery, longing, or the passage of time.

2. In-depth Explanation

• Context and Usage:
• "无题" (Wú tí) means "untitled," a common title for classical Chinese poems when the poet chooses not to give a specific name, often to emphasize ambiguity or universality.
• "白道萦回入暮霞" is the first line of the poem, painting a vivid image of a winding path ("白道萦回") fading into the dusk ("入暮霞"). The phrase evokes a sense of melancholy, beauty, and transience, common themes in Li Shangyin's poetry.

• This line is often quoted or referenced in literature and art to convey a mood of wistfulness or reflection.

• Character Breakdown:

• 无 (wú) – "no" or "without"
• 题 (tí) – "title" or "subject"
• 白 (bái) – "white" or "clear"
• 道 (dào) – "path" or "road"
• 萦回 (yíng huí) – "to wind around" or "to circle"
• 入 (rù) – "to enter"
• 暮霞 (mù xiá) – "evening glow" or "dusk clouds"

3. Example Sentences

1. Chinese: 这首诗的开头“无题·白道萦回入暮霞”充满了诗意。
   Pinyin: Zhè shǒu shī de kāi tóu “wú tí · bái dào yíng huí rù mù xiá” chōng mǎn le shī yì.
   English: The opening line of this poem, "Untitled · The white path winds into the evening glow," is full of poetic beauty.

2. Chinese: 画家用“白道萦回入暮霞”作为灵感，创作了一幅山水画。
   Pinyin: Huà jiā yòng “bái dào yíng huí rù mù xiá” zuò wéi líng gǎn, chuàng zuò le yī fú shān shuǐ huà.
   English: The painter used "The white path winds into the evening glow" as inspiration to create a landscape painting.

3. Chinese: 他的心情就像“无题·白道萦回入暮霞”所描述的那样忧郁。
   Pinyin: Tā de xīn qíng jiù xiàng “wú tí · bái dào yíng huí rù mù xiá” suǒ miáo shù de nà yàng yōu yù.
   English: His mood is as melancholic as described in "Untitled · The white path winds into the evening glow."

Cultural Notes

• Li Shangyin (813–858 AD) was a master of ambiguous, emotionally rich poetry, and his "无题" poems are among the most celebrated in Chinese literature.
• The imagery of "白道萦回入暮霞" reflects the Tang Dynasty's aesthetic appreciation of nature's beauty and its connection to human emotions.
• The phrase is often used in modern contexts to evoke nostalgia or a sense of fleeting time, showing how classical poetry remains relevant today.

Conclusion

"无题·白道萦回入暮霞" is a poetic line that captures the beauty of nature and the melancholy of time's passage. Its vivid imagery and emotional depth make it a timeless piece of Chinese literature. Remembering this phrase can enrich your understanding of classical Chinese poetry and its enduring influence.