Analysis of a Classic Chinese Poem: 送狄宗亨

# Analysis of "送狄宗亨" - Classical Chinese Poetry

## Introduction
The poem "送狄宗亨" (Sòng Dí Zōng Hēng) was written by Wang Changling (王昌龄, 698–756), a renowned Tang Dynasty poet known for his mastery of the *jueju* (绝句) form—a compact, four-line style rich in imagery and emotion. This farewell poem exemplifies classical Chinese poetry's elegance in conveying deep friendship and the melancholy of parting. Wang, often called the "Sage of Seven-word Quatrains," captures the universal human experience of separation through vivid natural imagery and subtle emotional depth.

## The Poem: Full Text and Translation

> 秋在水清山暮蝉  
> *Qiū zài shuǐ qīng shān mù chán*  
> Autumn dwells in clear waters, mountains echo with evening cicadas  

> 洛阳树色鸣皋烟  
> *Luòyáng shù sè míng gāo yān*  
> Luoyang's trees fade into mist over Minggao  

> 送君归去愁不尽  
> *Sòng jūn guī qù chóu bù jìn*  
> Seeing you off, my sorrow stretches beyond measure  

> 又惜空度凉风天  
> *Yòu xī kōng dù liáng fēng tiān*  
> And I grieve to waste these cool breeze days alone  

## Line-by-Line Analysis

1. **Autumn Imagery**: The opening line juxtaposes water's clarity with the sound of cicadas—a classic symbol of transience in Chinese poetry. The "evening" (暮) suggests both the day's end and the twilight of companionship.  

2. **Misty Distance**: Luoyang (an ancient capital) and Minggao (a mountain) frame the journey spatially. The blurred trees and smoke visualize the friend's disappearing path and the poet's clouded heart.  

3. **Emotional Weight**: "Sorrow beyond measure" (愁不尽) uses hyperbole to express infinite sadness. The verb "归去" (return) implies the friend's departure is natural yet painful.  

4. **Lonely Season**: The final line reveals layered grief—not just for the friend's absence, but for the poet's own inability to enjoy autumn's beauty alone. "Cool breeze" (凉风) contrasts with the warmth of shared moments.  

## Themes and Symbolism

- **Farewell (送别)**: A central theme in Tang poetry, reflecting Confucian values of loyalty and friendship. The poem transforms personal sorrow into artistic catharsis.  
- **Nature as Emotion**: Autumn represents decline and introspection. Cicadas (蝉), associated with rebirth in Chinese culture, subtly hint at hope amid sadness.  
- **Spatial-Temporal Duality**: The interplay of Luoyang (urban) and Minggao (wilderness) mirrors the tension between social bonds and solitary reflection.  

## Cultural Context

Written during the Tang Dynasty's golden age (618–907), this poem reflects *shanshui* (山水) poetry traditions—where nature externalizes inner states. The Tang era prized *youxian* (游仙, "wandering immortal") ideals, and Wang's work often blends worldly emotions with transcendent imagery. Farewell poems like this were commonly exchanged among scholar-officials, serving as emotional records and artistic gifts.  

## Conclusion

"送狄宗亨" distills the Tang Dynasty's poetic brilliance into 28 characters. Its enduring appeal lies in how Wang Changling turns a personal moment into a universal meditation on separation—where autumn's beauty amplifies human vulnerability. For modern readers, it offers a window into Chinese aesthetics: sorrow expressed through restraint, and depth hidden in simplicity. In an age of rapid connections, this poem reminds us that true parting is not geographical, but the quiet ache of "cool breeze days" spent without those who matter most.