Analysis of "八阵图" by Du Fu - Classical Chinese Poetry

Introduction

Du Fu (杜甫, 712–770) is one of China’s greatest poets, often called the "Poet Sage" for his profound reflections on humanity, history, and nature. Living during the Tang Dynasty, a golden age of Chinese poetry, Du Fu witnessed political turmoil and war, which deeply influenced his work.

"八阵图" (Bā Zhèn Tú, "The Stone Fortress" or "Eight Formations Diagram") is a famous quatrain reflecting on the legacy of Zhuge Liang, the legendary strategist of the Three Kingdoms period. The poem blends history, admiration, and melancholy, showcasing Du Fu’s mastery of condensed yet evocative verse.

The Poem: Full Text and Translation

功盖三分国
Gōng gài sān fēn guó
Your achievements overshadowed the Three Kingdoms' strife,

名成八阵图
Míng chéng bā zhèn tú
Your fame eternalized by the Eight Formations' might.

江流石不转
Jiāng liú shí bù zhuǎn
The river flows, but the stones stand unmoved—

遗恨失吞吴
Yí hèn shī tūn Wú
A lasting regret: the failed conquest of Wu.

Line-by-Line Analysis

1. "功盖三分国"
   Du Fu opens by praising Zhuge Liang’s unparalleled role in dividing China into the Three Kingdoms (Wei, Shu, Wu). The word "盖" (gài, "overshadow") emphasizes his supremacy.

2. "名成八阵图"
   The "Eight Formations Diagram" refers to Zhuge Liang’s legendary stone maze, a military tactic symbolizing his strategic genius. The line immortalizes his intellectual legacy.

3. "江流石不转"
   A striking natural metaphor: though time (the river) erodes all things, Zhuge Liang’s stones (his achievements) remain steadfast. The imagery conveys permanence amid change.

4. "遗恨失吞吴"
   The poem ends on a note of regret—Zhuge Liang’s unfinished goal of conquering Wu. Du Fu hints at the fragility of human ambition against fate.

Themes and Symbolism

• Legacy and Time: The stones symbolize Zhuge Liang’s enduring influence, while the river represents relentless time.
• Regret and Ambition: The "lasting regret" reflects Du Fu’s own era’s turmoil, mirroring the poet’s anxiety about unfulfilled ideals.
• Nature as Metaphor: The river and stones contrast transience and permanence, a common theme in Chinese philosophy.

Cultural Context

Zhuge Liang (181–234) was a revered statesman and military strategist who served Liu Bei, founder of Shu Han. The "Eight Formations" was a tactical arrangement said to confuse enemies, blending Daoist cosmology with warfare.

Du Fu wrote during the An Lushan Rebellion (755–763), a time of chaos that made him reflect on heroes like Zhuge Liang—figures who symbolized order and wisdom. The poem subtly critiques the Tang Dynasty’s instability by recalling a brighter past.

Conclusion

"八阵图" is a masterpiece of economy and depth. In just 20 characters, Du Fu captures admiration, nostalgia, and the bittersweet nature of legacy. For modern readers, the poem resonates as a meditation on how history remembers—and sometimes forgets—greatness. Its themes of perseverance and regret transcend time, offering wisdom for any era.

Final thought: Du Fu’s words remind us that even the mightiest legacies are tinged with unfulfilled dreams—a universal truth as relevant today as in Tang Dynasty China.