The sunlit CenserPeak exhales incense-like cloud;
Like anupended stream the cataract sounds loud.
Its torrentdashes down three thousand feet from high,
As if theSilver River fell from the blue sky.
Original Poem
「望庐山瀑布」
李白
日照香炉生紫烟，遥看瀑布挂前川。
飞流直下三千尺，疑是银河落九天。
Interpretation
Composed in 753 AD during Li Bai's visit to Mount Lu, this poem captures the magnificent waterfall that has made the mountain famous. Facing this spectacular natural wonder, the poet's emotions surge, and with grand momentum and extraordinary imagination, he portrays the scene as dreamlike and fantastical, full of romanticism. The poem is not only a tribute to Mount Lu's waterfall but also a perfect demonstration of Li Bai's bold and unrestrained poetic style.
First Couplet: "日照香炉生紫烟，遥看瀑布挂前川。"
Rì zhào xiāng lú shēng zǐ yān, yáo kàn pù bù guà qián chuān.
"The sunlit Incense Peak exhales violet haze; Afar the waterfall hangs like a white drape."
The poet first depicts the Incense Peak shrouded in purple mist under sunlight, creating a mystical atmosphere for the waterfall's appearance. The word "hangs" (挂) lends static beauty to the cascade, presenting its grandeur when viewed from a distance.
Second Couplet: "飞流直下三千尺，疑是银河落九天。"
Fēi liú zhí xià sān qiān chǐ, yí shì yín hé luò jiǔ tiān.
"Its torrent dashes down three thousand feet - As if the Silver River fell from heaven's height."
With hyperbolic imagery, Li Bai captures the waterfall's power. "Dashing down" (飞流直下) conveys the water's thunderous momentum, while "the Silver River fell from heaven" (银河落九天) elevates nature's majesty to cosmic proportions, making the poem extraordinarily magnificent.
Overall Appreciation
Centering on Mount Lu's waterfall, the poem employs hyperbole, metaphor, and fantastical imagination to portray it as both majestic and dreamlike. The poet first sets the scene with the Incense Peak's violet haze, then presents the waterfall's suspended stillness from afar. Shifting to a close-up view, "dashing down" reveals the torrent's dynamic force, while the final comparison to the Milky Way's celestial descent transports the real scene into mythological realms, radiating romanticism. The entire poem is powerful in momentum, concise in language, and sublime in artistic conception, perfectly embodying Li Bai's bold and free-spirited style.
Literary Characteristics
- Dynamic-Static Juxtaposition: The still violet haze contrasts with the waterfall's plunging motion, creating a scene both serene and mighty.
- Bold Exaggeration and Mythic Imagination: "Three thousand feet" emphasizes the fall's height, while the Milky Way metaphor lends cosmic splendor.
- Concise yet Rhythmic Language: Though only 28 characters, the poem progresses seamlessly with irresistible momentum and melodic beauty.
Insights
This poem exemplifies Li Bai's unconstrained artistic vision while awakening us to nature's grandeur and mystery. It reminds us that life's beauty lies not just in what we see, but in how we perceive and imaginatively elevate it. Through the poet's brush, Mount Lu's waterfall transcends mere scenery to become a cosmic marvel. Such imaginative thinking can inspire us to discover deeper significance in everyday wonders.
Poem translator
Xu Yuan-chong(许渊冲)
About the poet
Li Bai (李白), 701 - 762 A.D., whose ancestral home was in Gansu, was preceded by Li Guang, a general of the Han Dynasty. Tang poetry is one of the brightest constellations in the history of Chinese literature, and one of the brightest stars is Li Bai.
