The mirror Lake looks like the moon bright;
The maids on the Stream seem snow so fair.
Their new dress makes ripples in the lake bright;
Their dress and the ripples shed their light.
Original Poem:
「越女词 · 其五」
李白
镜湖水如月，耶溪女似雪。
新妆荡新波，光景两奇绝。
Interpretation:
This poem was composed by Li Bai during his travels in the Wu-Yue region, where he was captivated by the enchanting scenery of the Jiangnan water towns and the graceful charm of the local women. With a light and elegant touch, the poet depicts this captivating beauty, blending the shimmering lake waters with the loveliness of the maidens to create a fresh and poetic imagery, expressing his deep admiration for the distinctive allure of the Jiangnan region.
First Couplet: "镜湖水如月，耶溪女似雪。"
Jìng hú shuǐ rú yuè, Yē xī nǚ sì xuě.
The water of Mirror Lake shines like the moon;
The maidens of Yexi Stream are fair as snow.
The poet compares Mirror Lake to the bright moonlight, highlighting its clear and flawless purity, while likening the maidens of Yexi Stream to glistening snow, emphasizing their fair and unblemished complexion. These metaphors not only showcase the natural beauty of the Jiangnan women but also lend the poem a dreamy, ethereal quality.
Second Couplet: "新妆荡新波，光景两奇绝。"
Xīn zhuāng dàng xīn bō, guāng jǐng liǎng qí jué.
In fresh attire, they ripple the new waves;
The reflected light and scene—both peerlessly sublime.
Adorned in elegant dress, the maidens glide across the lake, their figures reflected in the shimmering ripples, creating a captivating scene where human and nature harmonize. “Both peerlessly sublime” juxtaposes the beauty of the lake and the maidens, illustrating how each enhances the other’s charm, resulting in a captivating and harmonious aesthetic.
Holistic Appreciation
With refined and concise language, the poet portrays the scenic beauty of Jiangnan’s water towns and the graceful charm of its maidens, presenting a highly poetic tableau. The opening lines use metaphors to accentuate the clarity of the lake and the purity of the maidens, while the subsequent lines depict the lively scene of maidens boating on the water, blending their beauty with the lake’s splendor into an integrated, dynamic vision. The phrase “both peerlessly sublime” serves as the defining touch, emphasizing the matchless beauty of this scene. The poem’s brisk rhythm and fresh imagery reflect the poet’s profound appreciation for the Wu-Yue region’s landscapes.
Artistic Merits
- Apt Metaphors, Enhanced Mood: Skillful use of metaphors such as “water like the moon” and “maidens like snow” allows the lake’s shimmer and the figures’ elegance to complement each other, intensifying the scene’s freshness.
- Dynamic-Static Balance, Vivid Imagery: The serene lake contrasts with the maidens’ lively boating, creating a layered and dynamic visual effect.
- Human-Nature Integration, Profound Conception: The mutual reflection of lake and maidens merges scenic beauty with human charm, conveying the unique appeal of Wu-Ye customs as perceived by the poet.
Insights
With a fresh and enduring style, this poem depicts the scenery of Jiangnan’s water towns and the grace of its women, showcasing how human and natural beauty enhance one another and evoke a sense of harmonious coexistence. The scenic description is not merely objective portrayal but also embodies the poet’s pursuit and perception of beauty. It reminds us that in artistic creation and appreciation, the skillful use of metaphor and contrast can not only enhance visual richness but also deepen the work’s conceptual and emotional resonance.
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.
