Analysis of "鸣皋歌送岑征君" - Classical Chinese Poetry

Introduction

The poem "鸣皋歌送岑征君" (Míng Gāo Gē Sòng Cén Zhēng Jūn) was written by the renowned Tang Dynasty poet Li Bai (李白, 701–762), one of China's most celebrated literary figures. Known as the "Immortal Poet," Li Bai was famous for his romantic and free-spirited style, often blending natural imagery with deep emotional expression.

This poem is a farewell piece dedicated to Cen Zhengjun, a friend or official (the exact identity is debated) departing for Mount Minggao. It reflects Li Bai’s signature themes of friendship, nature, and the transient nature of human endeavors. The poem is admired for its vivid imagery, emotional depth, and philosophical undertones.

The Poem: Full Text and Translation

若有人兮思鸣皋
Ruò yǒu rén xī sī Míng Gāo
If there is one who longs for Minggao,

阻积雪兮心烦劳
Zǔ jī xuě xī xīn fán láo
Blocked by piled snow, his heart wearies.

洪河凌兢不可以径度
Hóng hé líng jīng bù kě yǐ jìng dù
The mighty river, icy and fearful, cannot be crossed.

冰龙鳞兮难容舠
Bīng lóng lín xī nán róng dāo
Its frozen dragon-scales leave no room for a boat.

邈仙山之峻极兮
Miǎo xiān shān zhī jùn jí xī
Far away, the immortal mountain’s peaks rise steep,

闻天籁之嘈嘈
Wén tiān lài zhī cáo cáo
Where the celestial music clamors loud.

霜崖缟皓以合沓兮
Shuāng yá gǎo hào yǐ hé tà xī
Frost-clad cliffs, pure white, loom in layers,

若长风扇海
Ruò cháng fēng shàn hǎi
Like a great wind sweeping the sea,

涌沧溟之波涛
Yǒng cāng míng zhī bō tāo
Surging with the ocean’s mighty waves.

玄猿绿罴
Xuán yuán lǜ pí
Black apes and green bears,

舔舕崟岌
Tiǎn tàn yín jí
Lick and climb the perilous heights,

危柯振石
Wēi kē zhèn shí
Shaking precarious branches and rocks,

骇胆栗魄
Hài dǎn lì pò
Terrifying the heart and soul.

呼群啸侣
Hū qún xiào lǚ
Calling to their companions,

或飞或走
Huò fēi huò zǒu
Some fly, some run—

乍见而散
Zhà jiàn ér sàn
Suddenly seen, then scattered.

吾将往乎南溟
Wú jiāng wǎng hū nán míng
I shall go to the Southern Seas,

与君永辞
Yǔ jūn yǒng cí
And bid you farewell forever.

Line-by-Line Analysis

1. Opening Longing & Obstacles (Lines 1-4)
   - The poem begins with a sense of yearning for Minggao, a mythical or distant mountain.
   - The "piled snow" and "icy river" symbolize the hardships blocking the journey, reflecting life’s struggles.

2. Mystical Imagery (Lines 5-9)
   - The "immortal mountain" and "celestial music" evoke Daoist transcendence, a common theme in Li Bai’s work.
   - The "frost-clad cliffs" and "ocean waves" create a majestic yet untamed landscape, mirroring the poet’s awe of nature.

3. Wildlife & Danger (Lines 10-16)
   - The "black apes" and "green bears" represent the untamed wilderness, heightening the sense of peril.
   - The shaking branches and rocks ("危柯振石") amplify the danger, possibly symbolizing life’s unpredictability.

4. Farewell & Resolution (Lines 17-20)
   - The poet declares his own journey to the "Southern Seas", a metaphor for distant, unknown realms.
   - The final "farewell forever" carries a tone of melancholy, suggesting an eternal parting.

Themes and Symbolism

1. Nature’s Majesty & Danger
   - The poem contrasts beauty ("celestial music") with danger ("icy river", "black apes"), reflecting Li Bai’s view of nature as both inspiring and formidable.

2. Journey & Separation
   - The obstacles symbolize life’s challenges, while the farewell speaks to the inevitability of parting—a common theme in Tang poetry.

3. Daoist Transcendence
   - References to "immortal mountains" and distant realms suggest a spiritual quest, aligning with Li Bai’s Daoist leanings.

Cultural Context

• Written during the Tang Dynasty (618–907), a golden age of Chinese poetry, this poem reflects the era’s blend of romanticism and philosophical depth.
• Li Bai’s works often merged personal emotion with cosmic grandeur, embodying the Chinese ideal of harmony between man and nature.
• The poem’s structure—irregular lines and vivid imagery—showcases the "wild and free" (豪放) style Li Bai was famous for.

Conclusion

"鸣皋歌送岑征君" is a masterpiece of emotional depth and natural grandeur. Through breathtaking landscapes and poignant farewells, Li Bai captures the essence of human longing and the sublime power of the natural world.

Even today, the poem resonates as a meditation on life’s journeys—both physical and spiritual—reminding us of the beauty and impermanence that define our existence.

Would you venture across icy rivers and towering cliffs for a distant dream? Li Bai’s words invite us to ponder.