From the east the sun comes around;
It seems to rise from underground.
Crossing the sky, it sinks in the sea of the west.
Where could the six dragons driving it take their rest?
It never changes from beginning to end.
Man is not a spirit,
Could he accompany it
As a dear friend?
Grass will not for its growth thank the spring breeze;
Leaves won't complain of autumn when fallen from trees.
Who could drive summer and winter, autumn and spring?
Nature rules over rise and fall of everything.
O Driver of the Sun,
What on the boundless waves have you done?
O Herculean Son,
How could you wield your spear to stop the Driver's run?
You go against the law divine.
What you do is quite out of line.
I would embrace the universe
To be one with Nature for better or for worse.
Original Poem:
「日出入行」
李白
日出东方隈，似从地底来。
历天又入海，六龙所舍安在哉？
其始与终古不息，人非元气，安得与之久徘徊？
草不谢荣于春风，木不怨落于秋天。
谁挥鞭策驱四运？万物兴歇皆自然。
羲和！羲和！汝奚汩没于荒淫之波？
鲁阳何德，驻景挥戈？
逆道违天，矫诬实多。
吾将囊括大块，浩然与溟涬同科！
Interpretation:
This poem reflects Li Bai’s contemplation and critique of ancient mythological beliefs, presenting his unique perspective on the movement of the sun and the natural order. He challenges the traditional notion that divine forces control natural phenomena, emphasizing that the rise and fall of all things occur naturally. Through questioning age-old myths, Li Bai expresses his profound understanding of nature and his inclination towards materialist thought.
First Couplet:“日出东方隈，似从地底来。历天又入海，六龙所舍安在哉？”
(The sun rises from the eastern horizon as if emerging from beneath the earth. It traverses the sky and descends into the sea—where then do the six dragons rest?)
These lines vividly describe the sun’s ascent and descent, illustrating its natural cycle. Li Bai questions the mythical concept of six dragons pulling the sun and the deity Xi He guiding it, arguing instead that the sun's movement follows natural laws rather than divine intervention.
Second Couplet:“其始与终古不息，人非元气，安得与之久徘徊？”
(From beginning to end, the sun moves ceaselessly through eternity. Humans, unlike primal energy, cannot hope to linger alongside it forever.)
Here, Li Bai contrasts the sun’s eternal motion with the fleeting nature of human life, highlighting the vast difference between natural forces and mortal existence. His rhetorical question underscores the insignificance of human beings in the face of the cosmos.
Third Couplet:“草不谢荣于春风，木不怨落于秋天。谁挥鞭策驱四运？万物兴歇皆自然。”
(Grass does not thank the spring breeze for its growth, nor do trees resent the autumn sky for their falling leaves. Who wields the whip to command the seasons? The rise and decline of all things follow natural law.)
By using the imagery of grass and trees, Li Bai conveys the idea that the changes in nature are not dictated by external forces but occur according to their inherent cycles. He dismisses the notion of a supernatural being controlling the seasons, reinforcing his belief in the self-regulation of nature.
Fourth Couplet:“羲和！羲和！汝奚汩没于荒淫之波？鲁阳何德，驻景挥戈？”
(Xi He! Xi He! Why have you vanished into the waves of reckless myth? What virtue did Lord Lu Yang possess to halt the sun with a mere wave of his spear?)
Here, the poet adopts a mocking tone to question the legendary figures associated with the sun’s movement. By challenging these myths, he asserts that celestial bodies follow their course not due to divine intervention but according to natural principles.
Fifth Couplet:“逆道违天，矫诬实多。吾将囊括大块，浩然与溟涬同科！”
(To go against nature’s way is futile; deception and falsehood abound. I shall embrace the vast universe and merge with the boundless cosmos.)
In these concluding lines, Li Bai expresses his aspiration to transcend mortal concerns and align himself with the great forces of the universe. He advocates for harmony with the natural order, rejecting superstition and embracing the vastness of existence.
Writing Style:
This poem exhibits Li Bai’s grand and unrestrained poetic style, blending philosophical inquiry with vivid imagery. The structure is tightly woven, and the rhetorical questions intensify the poem’s contemplative tone. Through symbolic representations of celestial and natural phenomena, the poet challenges traditional mythology and conveys his rationalist perspective. His bold rejection of supernatural explanations in favor of natural laws demonstrates his progressive thinking.
Overall Appreciation:
The Journey of the Sun is more than just an exploration of natural phenomena—it is a declaration of philosophical insight. Li Bai questions the validity of ancient myths and emphasizes the immutable cycles of nature. His passionate and powerful language conveys not only skepticism towards divine intervention but also an admiration for the grandeur of the universe. The poem masterfully balances rational thought with poetic expression, leaving a lasting impression on the reader.
Insights:
This poem offers profound reflections on natural order, reminding us to respect and adapt to the laws of nature rather than futilely attempting to defy them. Li Bai’s rational perspective encourages a more scientific outlook, emphasizing the importance of understanding rather than superstition. His vision of embracing the vast cosmos inspires us to adopt a broader and more enlightened perspective on life and our place in the universe.
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.
