The Book of Songs: Annotations on the original translation of "Guofeng·Zhou Nan·Taoyao"

"Guo Feng·Zhou Nan·Peach Yao"

Pre-Qin: Anonymous

The peach blossoms shine brightly. When the son returns home, it is suitable for his family.

The peaches are actually sweet. When the son returns home, it is suitable for his family.

The peach is young, its leaves are pure. When the son returns home, it will be a good time for his family.

Translation

Thousands of peach blossoms are in full bloom, the color is bright and red like fire. This girl has been married before, and the couple is happy and harmonious.

Thousands of peach blossoms are in full bloom, and the fruits are numerous and large. This girl was married and gave birth to a son early and had a prosperous heir.

Thousands of peach blossoms are in full bloom, and the peach leaves are lush and never fall. This girl has been married and worked hard to bring harmony to the family.

Comments

Yaoyao: Flowers in full bloom, beautiful and prosperous.

Zhuozhuan: The flowers are as colorful as fire, bright and bright. Hua: Same as "flower".

Son: This girl. Yu Gui: The girl is getting married. In ancient times, the husband's home was regarded as a woman's destination, so it was called "return". Yu: Go, go.

Appropriate: docile and friendly.

衡(fén): The vegetation looks very strong. This refers to the plump and plump peach fruit. If there is 蕡, it means 蕡衡.

蓁 (zhēn): The appearance of dense vegetation, here describes the lush peach leaves.

Extended reading: Famous Quotes from the Book of Songs

01. The peach blossoms shine brightly. The words come from "The Book of Songs·Zhou Nan·Taoyao".

Translation: The peach trees are luxuriant and the peach blossoms are brilliant.

The bright and lush peach blossoms are used as a metaphor for the beautiful and mature charm of the bride. The language is simple, but there is no lack of elegance.

02. A charming smile and beautiful eyes. The words come from "The Book of Songs·Wei Feng·Shuo Ren".

Translation: A light smile with pretty dimples, clear black and white eyes.

These two poems describe the ecstatic style of Zhuang Jiang, the wife of Duke Wei Zhuang, from a dynamic perspective. When she smiles, her dimples are filled with love, and when her eyes flow, her bright eyes are even more distinct in black and white. .

03. Those who know me say that I am worried; those who do not know me say that what do I want? Who is this in the long sky? The words come from "The Book of Songs·Wang Feng·Shui Li".

Translation: People who know me say that I am troubled; people who don’t know ask me what I want. God from above, who caused me to do this (referring to running away from home)?

In the early years of the Eastern Zhou Dynasty, the imperial officials returned to Haojing. When they saw the ruined ancestral temple and the desolate scene of millet and millet separation, they could not help but sigh with emotion. The poet said that people who knew him knew that he was melancholy, but did not understand. What would his people think he was looking for? For God's sake, who caused this situation? The latter sentence is particularly thought-provoking. It contains both condemnation of King You of Zhou for his lack of morality and dissatisfaction with the invasion of Dog and Rong.

04. In the past, I left, and the willows lingered. Now I come to think about it, the rain and snow are falling. The words come from "The Book of Songs Xiaoya Picking Wei".

Translation: Recalling the time when I set off for the expedition, the willows were fluttering gently. Now on the way home, snowflakes and powder are falling.

These lines of poetry reflect the desolation expressed by the soldiers guarding the border on their way back to their hometown. The "willow" and "rain and snow" in the poem have been completely personified, and they bear the burden of responsibility together with the author. The heavy pressure of life has become a direct participant in the gatherings and separations of life. The fresh and mellow language in it can easily remind people of the style of poetry after the Wei and Jin Dynasties.

05. The wind and rain are like darkness, and the cockcrow is endless. Now that I see a gentleman, I am not happy? The words come from "The Book of Songs Zheng Feng Feng Yu".

Translation: The stormy and dark autumn night is long, and the rooster crows non-stop. Why wouldn't I be happy to see you here?

It is windy and rainy, the sky is dark, and the chickens are crowing. At this time, the heroine needs spiritual comfort even more. Therefore, when the person she likes arrives, she can’t help but be ecstatic. The style of the poem is straightforward and without any coyness. , very satisfying.

06. Jian Jia is green, and the white dew is like frost. The so-called beauty is on the side of the water. The saying comes from "The Book of Songs Qin Feng Jian Jia".

Translation: The reeds are green and the white dew turns into frost. In this lonely autumn day, the dear ones are on the other side of the water.

The poet takes the autumn scene as his starting point, which can be said to be a Taoist saying. All the sorrows of life. Because autumn is the season when life goes to death, the relationship between heaven and man cannot but arouse full of sadness. This is a common sense of sadness among ancient Chinese literati, and these lines of poems can be said to be its origin.

07. It’s like discussing and discussing ①, and it’s like polishing and polishing ②. From "The Book of Songs·Weifeng·Qiao".

Translation: ①[Extend, discuss] The original meaning is to process bone, jade and jade into utensils, and it is extended to academic discussion and research. ②[Cutting, grinding] The original meaning refers to the fine processing when making jade, which is a metaphor for modifying virtues or articles to make them beautiful.

08. Give ① to me with wooden peach ②, and repay ③ with Qiong Yao ④. From "The Book of Songs·Weifeng·Papaya".

①[Vote] This refers to giving away. ②[Wood peach] is a peach. ③[Report] Rebate. ④[Qiong Yao] Beautiful jade.

Translation: If he gives me a papaya, I will give him a jade.

09. The wind and rain are like darkness①, and the cock crows continuously②. From "The Book of Songs·Zheng Feng·Wind and Rain".

①[Ruhui] As dark as night. ②[has] stopped.

Translation: The stormy and dark autumn night is long, and the rooster crows non-stop. Why wouldn't I be happy to see you here?

10. Yoyo ①The deer roars, eating apples in the wild. I have guests who play the harp and sheng. From "The Book of Songs·Xiaoya·Luwu".

①[妦妦(yōuyōu)] Deer whine.

Translation: The wild deer calls out to its companions and eats mugwort in the wild. I have many good guests, and I invite him with the harp and sheng.