Analysis of "登金陵凤凰台" - Classical Chinese Poetry

Introduction

"登金陵凤凰台" (Dēng Jīnlíng Fènghuáng Tái, "Climbing Phoenix Terrace at Jinling") is one of the most famous poems by the Tang dynasty poet Li Bai (李白, 701–762), also known as Li Po. Li Bai is celebrated as one of China’s greatest romantic poets, renowned for his vivid imagery, emotional depth, and free-spirited style.

This poem was written during Li Bai’s travels through Jinling (modern-day Nanjing), a city rich in history and cultural significance. The "Phoenix Terrace" was a legendary site associated with prosperity and imperial power. The poem reflects Li Bai’s contemplation of history, the passage of time, and the fleeting nature of glory—a common theme in classical Chinese poetry.

The Poem: Full Text and Translation

凤凰台上凤凰游
Fènghuáng tái shàng fènghuáng yóu
On Phoenix Terrace once phoenixes soared,

凤去台空江自流
Fèng qù tái kōng jiāng zì liú
Now they are gone, the terrace bare, the river flows on.

吴宫花草埋幽径
Wú gōng huā cǎo mái yōu jìng
Flowers and grass bury the paths of Wu’s old palace,

晋代衣冠成古丘
Jìn dài yī guān chéng gǔ qiū
The nobles of Jin now lie in ancient graves.

三山半落青天外
Sān shān bàn luò qīng tiān wài
Three peaks half-lost beyond the blue sky,

二水中分白鹭洲
Èr shuǐ zhōng fēn bái lù zhōu
Two rivers part around Egret Islet.

总为浮云能蔽日
Zǒng wèi fú yún néng bì rì
Always, the floating clouds can hide the sun,

长安不见使人愁
Cháng'ān bù jiàn shǐ rén chóu
Not seeing Chang’an fills my heart with sorrow.

Line-by-Line Analysis

1. "On Phoenix Terrace once phoenixes soared"
   The phoenix, a symbol of prosperity and imperial favor, suggests a glorious past. The terrace itself was a historical site linked to legends of auspicious signs.

2. "Now they are gone, the terrace bare, the river flows on"
   The emptiness contrasts with the past, emphasizing impermanence. The river’s endless flow symbolizes time’s relentless passage.

3. "Flowers and grass bury the paths of Wu’s old palace"
   Wu was a kingdom during the Three Kingdoms period (220–280 CE). Nature reclaiming human structures reflects the transience of power.

4. "The nobles of Jin now lie in ancient graves"
   The Jin dynasty (265–420 CE) was another golden age, now reduced to tombs. The poet reflects on the cyclical rise and fall of dynasties.

5. "Three peaks half-lost beyond the blue sky"
   The "Three Mountains" near Nanjing appear distant and dreamlike, blending reality and imagination.

6. "Two rivers part around Egret Islet"
   The Yangtze River splits around an islet, a serene yet melancholic image of division.

7. "Always, the floating clouds can hide the sun"
   "Floating clouds" symbolize political intrigue or obstacles obscuring truth—possibly referencing Li Bai’s own exile from the capital.

8. "Not seeing Chang’an fills my heart with sorrow"
   Chang’an (modern Xi’an) was the Tang capital. The poet longs for home, lamenting his separation from the center of power and culture.

Themes and Symbolism

• Transience of Glory: The poem mourns fallen dynasties, reminding readers that even great empires fade.
• Nature vs. Human Achievement: Ruins reclaimed by nature suggest humanity’s fleeting impact.
• Political Melancholy: The "floating clouds" metaphor critiques corruption, while longing for Chang’an reveals Li Bai’s personal exile.

Cultural Context

Li Bai wrote during the Tang dynasty (618–907 CE), a golden age of Chinese poetry. Nanjing, once a capital of multiple dynasties, embodied China’s historical cycles. The poem blends Daoist themes of nature’s permanence with Confucian concerns about governance and morality.

Conclusion

"登金陵凤凰台" is a masterpiece of melancholy beauty, blending history, nature, and personal emotion. Li Bai’s lament over vanished glory resonates across cultures, reminding us that even the mightiest civilizations are temporary. Yet, the poem’s enduring power lies in its ability to transform sorrow into art—a timeless message for readers today.

"The river flows on, but the phoenix is gone—what remains is poetry."