The slender beauty's dressed in emerald all about
A thousand branches droop like fringes made of jade.
But do you know by whom these slim leaves are cut out?
The wind of early spring is sharp as scissor blade.
Original Poem:
「咏柳」
贺知章
碧玉妆成一树高，万条垂下绿丝绦。
不知细叶谁裁出，二月春风似剪刀。
Interpretation:
This poem is about the willow in early spring and February. The poet uses the techniques of metaphor and anthropomorphism to vividly sing about the charming appearance of young willows in early spring and to praise nature's ingenious workmanship.
In the first two lines, the tall willow tree is full of tender green leaves, and the willows are like millions of green ribbons gently fluttering.
Write the overall impression of the willow tree. The image of the beauty of the willow tree lies in its branches, which are long and slender, and once a year, it grows tender green leaves, which hang down, in the spring breeze, with a kind of charming attitude. Jasper” here can refer to both the real jade, but also alludes to the young and beautiful women from small families. Classical poems often borrow the image of the beauty of the willow tree to describe the slim figure and graceful waist of the beauty, but this poem is a new idea, reversed, the willow tree incarnation of beauty.
The last two lines: I wonder who cut out these fine willow leaves? It is the February spring breeze, which is like a magic scissors.
These two lines further describe and paint the tender leaves of the willow tree. Each leaf has a distinctive shape and delicate texture, as if they are all carefully cut out. Poet due to marvel can not help but ask: this tree full of fine leaves in the end from which masterful tailor's hand? Then found the answer: the original is the masterpiece of nature, she held the February spring breeze this big scissors cut out the tree full of spring colors. The green leaves are like the patterns and designs on the beauty's dress, and thus the beauty has appeared on the paper in all her splendor.
This poem is far-sighted, clever metaphor, the willow tree's form and spirit vividly manifested.
Poem translator:
Xu Yuan-chong (许渊冲)
About the poet:
He Zhizhang (贺知章) was a native of Xiaoshan, Zhejiang Province, circa 659-746 AD. He was admitted as a scholar in 695 AD. He returned to his hometown in 744 AD. He Zhizhang was open-minded, fond of talking and drinking.
