Analysis of "古意" - Classical Chinese Poetry

Introduction

"古意" (Gǔ Yì), meaning "Ancient Sentiments" or "Thoughts of Antiquity," is a poetic theme that appears throughout Chinese literary history. Many poets have used this title to express nostalgia, moral reflections, or philosophical musings on the past. One of the most famous examples is by Li Bai (李白), the legendary Tang Dynasty poet known for his romanticism and vivid imagery.

This poem reflects on fleeting beauty, unrequited love, and the passage of time—a recurring theme in classical Chinese poetry. Li Bai’s version of "古意" blends personal emotion with universal longing, making it a timeless piece in Chinese literature.

The Poem: Full Text and Translation

Title:
古意
Gǔ Yì
Ancient Sentiments

Full Text:

君为女萝草
Jūn wéi nǚ luó cǎo
You are the dodder vine,

妾作菟丝花
Qiè zuò tù sī huā
I am the dodder flower.

轻条不自引
Qīng tiáo bù zì yǐn
Tender branches cannot stretch alone,

为逐春风斜
Wèi zhú chūn fēng xié
So they lean into the spring wind.

百丈托远松
Bǎi zhàng tuō yuǎn sōng
A hundred feet, clinging to distant pines,

缠绵成一家
Chánmián chéng yī jiā
Entwined, we become one.

谁言会面易
Shéi yán huìmiàn yì
Who says meeting is easy?

各在青山崖
Gè zài qīng shān yá
When we dwell on separate cliffs?

女萝发馨香
Nǚ luó fā xīn xiāng
The dodder vine emits fragrance,

菟丝断人肠
Tù sī duàn rén cháng
The dodder flower breaks hearts.

枝枝相纠结
Zhī zhī xiāng jiūjié
Branch by branch, tangled together,

叶叶竞飘扬
Yè yè jìng piāoyáng
Leaf by leaf, fluttering in rivalry.

生子不知根
Shēng zǐ bù zhī gēn
Children born know not their roots,

因谁共芬芳
Yīn shéi gòng fēnfāng
On whom do they rely for shared fragrance?

中巢双翡翠
Zhōng cháo shuāng fěicuì
In the nest, a pair of kingfishers,

上宿紫鸳鸯
Shàng sù zǐ yuānyāng
Above, rest the purple mandarin ducks.

若识二草心
Ruò shí èr cǎo xīn
If you understood the hearts of these two plants,

海潮亦可量
Hǎi cháo yì kě liáng
Even the ocean’s tides could be measured.

Line-by-Line Analysis

1. Nature Imagery (Lines 1-6)
   The poem begins with a botanical metaphor: the dodder vine (女萝草) and dodder flower (菟丝花) symbolize lovers who depend on each other. In Chinese culture, these plants represent interdependence, as neither can stand alone.

2. Longing and Separation (Lines 7-10)
   The poet laments that even though their love is deep, they are separated by distance ("we dwell on separate cliffs"). The fragrance of the vine contrasts with the heartbreak of the flower, emphasizing bittersweet love.

3. Entanglement and Fragility (Lines 11-14)
   The imagery of tangled branches and fluttering leaves suggests passion but also instability. The line "Children born know not their roots" implies a loss of heritage or identity when love is unfulfilled.

4. Symbols of Eternal Love (Lines 15-18)
   The kingfishers (翡翠) and mandarin ducks (鸳鸯) are traditional symbols of devoted couples in Chinese poetry. Their presence contrasts with the fragile dodder plants, highlighting the poet’s yearning for permanence.

5. Final Philosophical Reflection (Lines 19-20)
   The closing lines suggest that if one truly understood love’s depth, even the immeasurable (like ocean tides) could be quantified—implying that love is beyond human comprehension.

Themes and Symbolism

1. Love and Dependence
   The dodder plants symbolize romantic reliance, where two beings cannot thrive alone. This reflects Confucian ideals of harmonious relationships.

2. Transience vs. Permanence
   The poem contrasts fleeting beauty (the flowers) with enduring symbols (kingfishers, mandarin ducks), questioning whether love can last.

3. Nature as Emotion
   Li Bai uses natural imagery to express human feelings—a hallmark of Tang Dynasty poetry.

Cultural Context

• Tang Dynasty Poetry: Li Bai was part of the "Golden Age" of Chinese poetry, where nature and emotion were deeply intertwined.
• Confucian Influence: The poem reflects loyalty and devotion, key virtues in classical Chinese thought.
• Daoist Undertones: The acceptance of love’s unpredictability aligns with Daoist philosophy of flowing with nature.

Conclusion

Li Bai’s "古意" is a masterpiece of emotional depth and natural symbolism. It speaks to universal themes—love, separation, and the passage of time—while grounding them in classical Chinese imagery.

For modern readers, the poem reminds us that love is both fragile and eternal, much like the dodder vine that blooms briefly but leaves a lasting fragrance. Its beauty lies in its ability to convey profound truths through simple yet powerful metaphors.

Would you like a recommendation for similar poems? Let me know in the comments!