Phcenixes that played here once, so that the place was named for them,
Have abandoned it now to this desolate river;
The paths of Wu Palace are crooked with weeds;
The garments of Chin are ancient dust.
...Like this green horizon halving the Three Peaks,
Like this Island of White Egrets dividing the river,
A cloud has arisen between the Light of Heaven and me,
To hide his city from my melancholy heart.
Original Poem
「登金陵凤凰台」
李白
凤凰台上凤凰游，凤去台空江自流。
吴宫花草埋幽径，晋代衣冠成古丘。
三山半落青天外，二水中分白鹭洲。
总为浮云能蔽日，长安不见使人愁。
Interpretation
This poem was composed in 747 AD (the sixth year of the Tianbao era), when Li Bai visited Jinling (modern-day Nanjing) and ascended the Phoenix Terrace, filled with deep emotions. In his youth, Li Bai had climbed the Yellow Crane Tower intending to compose a poem, but upon seeing Cui Hao's Yellow Crane Tower already inscribed there, he lamented, "The scene before me defies description, for Cui Hao's poem stands above." This memory stayed with him, and now, on the Phoenix Terrace, he borrowed Cui Hao's rhyme scheme to write this profound and reflective work. Jinling, once the capital of six dynasties, inspired Li Bai to reflect on the rise and fall of history and express his concerns for the state of the nation. The poem masterfully blends social change, natural scenery, historical events, and personal emotions, creating a grand and far-reaching vision.
First Couplet: “凤凰台上凤凰游，凤去台空江自流。”
Fèng huáng tái shàng fèng huáng yóu, fèng qù tái kōng jiāng zì liú.
Once, phoenixes roamed the Phoenix Terrace; now they are gone, leaving the terrace empty, while the river flows on.
The opening lines reference the legend of the phoenix, symbolizing the fleeting nature of past glory. The phoenix's presence once signified prosperity, but now it is gone, leaving behind a desolate terrace and the ever-flowing Yangtze River. This contrast highlights the impermanence of human affairs, hinting at the rise and fall of dynasties.
Second Couplet: “吴宫花草埋幽径，晋代衣冠成古丘。”
Wú gōng huā cǎo mái yōu jìng, jìn dài yī guān chéng gǔ qiū.
The flowers and grass of the Wu palace now bury the hidden paths; the nobles of the Jin dynasty have become ancient graves.
This couplet expands on the imagery of the phoenix's departure, using the ruins of the Wu palace and the Jin dynasty as examples of the relentless passage of time. The once-thriving Wu palace is now overgrown with weeds, and the illustrious Jin nobles are reduced to mounds of earth, underscoring the transience of human glory.
Third Couplet: “三山半落青天外，二水中分白鹭洲。”
Sān shān bàn luò qīng tiān wài, èr shuǐ zhōng fēn bái lù zhōu.
The Three Mountains seem to half-sink beyond the blue sky; the two rivers divide around Egret Islet.
Shifting from history to the present, the poet gazes at the majestic natural scenery. The Three Mountains, shrouded in mist, appear distant and ethereal, while Egret Islet lies serenely in the river, splitting its waters. This couplet captures the grandeur of nature, suggesting its permanence amidst human transience and reflecting the poet's mix of awe and resignation.
Fourth Couplet: “总为浮云能蔽日，长安不见使人愁。”
Zǒng wèi fú yún néng bì rì, cháng ān bù jiàn shǐ rén chóu.
Always, the floating clouds obscure the sun, and I cannot see Chang'an, filling me with sorrow.
The final couplet turns from scenery to emotion. "Floating clouds obscuring the sun" symbolize corrupt officials blocking the emperor's vision, preventing talented individuals from serving the state. "Not seeing Chang'an" refers not only to the poet's physical distance from the capital but also to his frustration at being unable to contribute to the nation. Through this imagery, Li Bai expresses his deep concern for the country's fate and his sorrow over his unfulfilled ambitions.
Overall Appreciation
The poem begins with the history of the Phoenix Terrace, using the phoenix's departure as a metaphor for the rise and fall of human affairs. It then expands on this theme with references to the ruins of the Wu palace and the Jin dynasty, lamenting the impermanence of worldly glory. The poet then shifts to the grandeur of nature, depicting the enduring beauty of the Three Mountains and Egret Islet. Finally, he uses "floating clouds obscuring the sun" to symbolize the obstruction of justice and talent, expressing his sorrow over unfulfilled ambitions. The poem's grand and profound imagery, blending historical reflection with personal emotion, creates a powerful and moving work.
Writing Characteristics
- Contrast to Highlight Themes: The poet contrasts the phoenix's departure with the eternal flow of the river, and the ruins of the Wu palace with the enduring beauty of Egret Islet, emphasizing the impermanence of human affairs and the permanence of nature.
- Scenery as Metaphor, Deep Symbolism: The poet uses the ruins of the Wu palace and Jin dynasty to reflect on historical rise and fall, and "floating clouds obscuring the sun" to symbolize corruption, expressing emotions subtly and symbolically.
- Layered Progression, Profound Imagery: The poem moves from history to the present, from scenery to emotion, gradually unfolding its themes. It reflects on both the passage of time and the grandeur of nature, culminating in concern for the nation's fate, deepening its intellectual and emotional impact.
Insights
This poem is not only a reflection on the rise and fall of history but also a meditation on contemporary concerns. It reminds us that, regardless of the changes of time, the laws of history are inexorable—prosperity will eventually fade, while nature endures. At the same time, the poet's sorrow over "floating clouds obscuring the sun" invites us to reflect on societal realities: true talent is often overlooked, and the world is often ruled by intrigue. The poem conveys the fleeting nature of life and the difficulty of achieving greatness, while also reminding us to look beyond the fog of the present and strive for a brighter future.
Poem translator
Kiang Kanghu
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.
