Analysis of "相见欢·无言独上西楼" - Classical Chinese Poetry

Introduction

"相见欢·无言独上西楼" (Xiāngjiànhuān·Wúyán dú shàng xī lóu) is a famous cí (词) poem by Lǐ Yù (李煜), the last emperor of the Southern Tang dynasty during the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period. Known as the "Poet Emperor," Li Yu was a tragic figure—forced to abdicate his throne and later imprisoned by the Song dynasty. His poetry reflects deep sorrow, nostalgia, and the fleeting nature of power.

This poem, also called "Silent Night Alone in the Western Tower," is a masterpiece of melancholic beauty, expressing solitude and unspoken grief. It remains one of the most celebrated works in classical Chinese literature.

The Poem: Full Text and Translation

相见欢·无言独上西楼

Xiāngjiànhuān·Wúyán dú shàng xī lóu
(Joy of Meeting·Silent Night Alone in the Western Tower)

无言独上西楼，月如钩。
Wúyán dú shàng xī lóu, yuè rú gōu.
"Silent, alone, I climb the western tower; the moon like a hook."

寂寞梧桐深院锁清秋。
Jìmò wútóng shēn yuàn suǒ qīngqiū.
"Lonely parasol trees lock the clear autumn in a deep courtyard."

剪不断，理还乱，是离愁。
Jiǎn bù duàn, lǐ hái luàn, shì lí chóu.
"Cut, it won’t sever; sorted, it tangles anew—this parting sorrow."

别是一般滋味在心头。
Bié shì yībān zīwèi zài xīntóu.
"An altogether different taste lingers in the heart."

Line-by-Line Analysis

1. "Silent, alone, I climb the western tower; the moon like a hook."
   - The opening sets a desolate mood—Li Yu ascends the tower in silence, suggesting deep introspection.
   - The "moon like a hook" symbolizes incompleteness, mirroring his fractured life after losing his kingdom.

2. "Lonely parasol trees lock the clear autumn in a deep courtyard."
   - The "parasol trees" (梧桐, wútóng) are traditional symbols of loneliness in Chinese poetry.
   - "Lock the clear autumn" implies imprisonment—both physical (his captivity) and emotional (his grief).

3. "Cut, it won’t sever; sorted, it tangles anew—this parting sorrow."
   - A powerful metaphor for inescapable sorrow—like tangled threads that resist order.
   - "Parting sorrow" (离愁, lí chóu) refers to separation from his homeland and past life.

4. "An altogether different taste lingers in the heart."
   - The final line conveys a sorrow so profound it defies description—a uniquely personal suffering.

Themes and Symbolism

1. Loneliness and Regret

The poem captures Li Yu’s isolation as a deposed ruler. The "western tower" (西楼, xī lóu) often symbolizes a place of exile in Chinese literature.

2. Nature as a Mirror of Emotion

• The "hook moon" (月如钩) reflects his unfulfilled destiny.
• The "parasol trees" deepen the sense of abandonment.

3. The Inescapability of Sorrow

The lines "Cut, it won’t sever; sorted, it tangles anew" use weaving imagery to depict grief as an unending, chaotic force.

Cultural Context

Li Yu’s poetry marks a shift from Tang dynasty grandeur to Song dynasty introspection. As a fallen emperor, his works blend personal tragedy with universal themes of loss.

• Historical Significance: Written during his captivity, the poem reflects the sorrow of a man who lost everything.
• Philosophical Influence: Resonates with Buddhist ideas of impermanence (无常, wúcháng).

Conclusion

"相见欢·无言独上西楼" is a poignant meditation on loss, where every image—the hook moon, the lonely trees—serves as a metaphor for Li Yu’s unspoken grief. Its enduring appeal lies in its raw emotional honesty, transcending time and culture.

For modern readers, the poem reminds us that some sorrows cannot be untangled—only endured, and perhaps, through art, transformed into something beautiful.

Final Thought:
"The deepest griefs are those we cannot name—Li Yu’s words give voice to the silent sorrows of the human heart."