Analysis of "水仙子·夜雨" - Classical Chinese Poetry

Introduction

The poem "Shuǐ Xiān Zǐ · Yè Yǔ" (水仙子·夜雨) was written by Xu Zaisi (徐再思), a renowned poet of the Yuan Dynasty (1271–1368). This period was marked by Mongol rule over China, and many scholars and poets expressed subtle melancholy and nostalgia for the past in their works.

"Shuǐ Xiān Zǐ · Yè Yǔ" is a lyrical masterpiece that captures the poet's loneliness and sorrow on a rainy night. The poem is part of the Sanqu (散曲) tradition, a form of classical Chinese poetry that blends song and verse. Its delicate imagery and emotional depth make it one of Xu Zaisi’s most celebrated works.

The Poem: Full Text and Translation

一声梧叶一声秋
Yī shēng wú yè yī shēng qiū
Each rustle of wutong leaves speaks of autumn’s sigh,

一点芭蕉一点愁
Yī diǎn bājiāo yī diǎn chóu
Each drop on banana leaves deepens my woe.

三更归梦三更后
Sān gēng guī mèng sān gēng hòu
At midnight, dreams of home fade past midnight’s glow.

落灯花棋未收
Luò dēng huā qí wèi shōu
The lamp’s last flicker, the unfinished game left so.

叹新丰孤馆人留
Tàn xīn fēng gū guǎn rén liú
Alas, in Xinfeng’s lonely inn, I remain,

枕上十年事
Zhěn shàng shí nián shì
Ten years of memories weigh upon my pillow,

江南二老忧
Jiāngnán èr lǎo yōu
And far in Jiangnan, my aging parents’ sorrow.

Line-by-Line Analysis

1. "Each rustle of wutong leaves speaks of autumn’s sigh"
   - The wutong tree (梧桐) is a traditional symbol of loneliness and autumn’s melancholy. The sound of its leaves heightens the poet’s sorrow.

2. "Each drop on banana leaves deepens my woe"
   - The banana plant (芭蕉) is often associated with rain and sadness in Chinese poetry. The raindrops mirror the poet’s tears.

3. "At midnight, dreams of home fade past midnight’s glow"
   - The poet is haunted by dreams of home but wakes to loneliness. Midnight (三更) symbolizes the deepest solitude.

4. "The lamp’s last flicker, the unfinished game left so"
   - The dying lamp and abandoned chess game suggest neglect and interrupted companionship.

5. "Alas, in Xinfeng’s lonely inn, I remain"
   - Xinfeng (新丰) was a historical place where travelers stayed. The poet feels stranded, far from home.

6. "Ten years of memories weigh upon my pillow"
   - A decade of unfulfilled ambitions and regrets lingers in his mind.

7. "And far in Jiangnan, my aging parents’ sorrow"
   - Jiangnan (江南) refers to southern China, where his elderly parents live. The poet grieves over being unable to care for them.

Themes and Symbolism

Loneliness and Nostalgia

The poem conveys deep homesickness (乡愁, xiāngchóu) and isolation. The rain, night, and abandoned objects amplify the poet’s sorrow.

Nature as a Mirror of Emotion

• Wutong leaves symbolize autumn and decay.
• Banana leaves and rain reflect tears and melancholy.

Filial Piety (孝, xiào)

The poet’s guilt over neglecting his aging parents reflects Confucian values of family duty.

Cultural Context

• Yuan Dynasty Poetry: Many scholars, like Xu Zaisi, wrote Sanqu poems expressing personal grief under Mongol rule.
• Rain in Chinese Poetry: Rain often symbolizes sorrow, as seen in works like Li Shangyin’s "Night Rain".
• Chess and Lamps: Unfinished games and dying lamps suggest life’s unpredictability.

Conclusion

"Shuǐ Xiān Zǐ · Yè Yǔ" is a poignant reflection on loneliness, time, and filial love. Its vivid imagery—rustling leaves, midnight rain, and distant parents—creates a universal emotional resonance. Even today, readers connect with its themes of longing and impermanence, proving the timeless beauty of classical Chinese poetry.

"In the quiet of night, even raindrops whisper the heart’s deepest regrets."

Would you like to explore another Yuan Dynasty poem? Let me know in the comments!