Analysis of "卜算子·黄州定慧院寓居作" - Classical Chinese Poetry

Introduction

This poem, "卜算子·黄州定慧院寓居作" (Bǔ Suàn Zǐ · Huángzhōu Dìng Huì Yuàn Yù Jū Zuò), was written by Su Shi (苏轼), one of the most celebrated poets of the Song Dynasty (960–1279). Su Shi, also known as Su Dongpo (苏东坡), was a master of ci poetry (lyrical verse) and prose.

Composed during his exile in Huangzhou (黄州), this poem reflects his resilience and philosophical outlook amid political adversity. It is a meditation on solitude, nature, and the transient nature of human suffering, embodying the Daoist and Buddhist influences that shaped his later works.

The Poem: Full Text and Translation

Original Text & Translation

缺月挂疏桐，漏断人初静。
Quē yuè guà shū tóng, lòu duàn rén chū jìng.
A waning moon hangs over sparse paulownia trees,
The water clock falls silent—the world grows still.

谁见幽人独往来，缥缈孤鸿影。
Shéi jiàn yōu rén dú wǎng lái, piāo miǎo gū hóng yǐng.
Who sees the recluse pacing alone,
Like a faint, solitary swan in flight?

惊起却回头，有恨无人省。
Jīng qǐ què huí tóu, yǒu hèn wú rén xǐng.
Startled, it turns its head—
Bearing sorrows none perceive.

拣尽寒枝不肯栖，寂寞沙洲冷。
Jiǎn jìn hán zhī bù kěn qī, jì mò shā zhōu lěng.
Rejecting every barren branch to rest,
It settles on the cold, lonely sandbank.

Line-by-Line Analysis

1. "缺月挂疏桐，漏断人初静。"

• Imagery: A "waning moon" (缺月) suggests impermanence, while "sparse paulownia trees" (疏桐) evoke desolation.
• Sound Symbolism: The "silent water clock" (漏断) marks the late hour, emphasizing solitude.
• Mood: A quiet, contemplative atmosphere is established.

2. "谁见幽人独往来，缥缈孤鸿影。"

• Metaphor: The poet compares himself to a "solitary swan" (孤鸿), a symbol of noble detachment.
• Philosophical Undertone: The "recluse" (幽人) embodies Daoist ideals of withdrawal from worldly chaos.

3. "惊起却回头，有恨无人省。"

• Emotion: The swan's sudden movement ("startled, it turns its head") mirrors Su Shi’s own unease in exile.
• Theme of Misunderstanding: "Sorrows none perceive" (有恨无人省) reflects his political isolation.

4. "拣尽寒枝不肯栖，寂寞沙洲冷。"

• Symbolism: The swan rejects "barren branches" (寒枝), representing Su Shi’s refusal to compromise his integrity.
• Final Image: The "cold sandbank" (沙洲冷) underscores his resilience despite hardship.

Themes and Symbolism

1. Solitude & Resilience

The poem portrays isolation not as despair, but as a path to spiritual clarity. The lone swan embodies steadfastness.

2. Nature as a Mirror

Natural imagery (moon, trees, swan) reflects the poet’s inner state—melancholic yet dignified.

3. Rejection of Worldly Comforts

The swan’s refusal to perch on "barren branches" symbolizes Su Shi’s moral resolve amid political persecution.

Cultural Context

Historical Background

Su Shi wrote this during his exile (1079–1084) after being falsely accused of treason. Huangzhou’s isolation deepened his philosophical and literary genius.

Daoist & Buddhist Influences

The poem’s detachment aligns with Zhuangzi’s ideal of "free and easy wandering" (逍遥游). The swan’s solitude also echoes Chan (Zen) Buddhist mindfulness.

Legacy in Chinese Literature

This ci exemplifies the "heroic abandon" (豪放) style Su Shi pioneered—blending personal emotion with universal themes.

Conclusion

"卜算子·黄州定慧院寓居作" is a masterpiece of lyrical economy and depth. Through the metaphor of the solitary swan, Su Shi transforms personal suffering into a meditation on integrity and transcendence.

For modern readers, the poem resonates as a testament to the enduring human spirit—a reminder that even in isolation, one can find beauty and meaning. As Su Shi himself might say: "To endure cold is to welcome spring." (耐寒，便是迎春。)

Further Exploration:
- Compare this poem with Su Shi’s "Red Cliff Ode" (赤壁赋).
- Explore ci poetry’s musical origins and its evolution in the Song Dynasty.

Would you like a similar analysis of another classical poem? Let me know in the comments!