Bamboo and Stone
Zheng Xie
Famous saying: If you stick to the green mountains and don’t let go, your roots will always be in the broken rocks.
Introduction
Zheng Xie (1693-1765) was a calligrapher, painter and poet in the Qing Dynasty. The courtesy name was Kerou, the name was Banqiao, and he was a native of Xinghua (now Xinghua, Jiangsu Province). He is good at painting bamboo, orchid, and stone. His calligraphy is famous for his "six and a half calligraphy". He also writes poems very well, so he is known as the "Three Wonders". His paintings are unique in the painting world and are one of the "Eight Eccentrics of Yangzhou".
"Bamboo and Stone" is a poem inscribed by the author to the ink bamboo and stone he painted.
Original poem
The green hills do not let go ①, the roots are still in the broken rocks ②.
After thousands of grindings and blows, you are still strong③, regardless of the wind from east to west, north and south④.
Notes
①Define: Lean tightly. It is a metaphor that the roots of bamboo are firmly rooted, as if they are biting and not letting go. ② Establish roots: take root, take root. Broken Rock: A cracked rock crevice. ③Also: more. Jianjin: strong and powerful. ④Ren: Let it go, regardless of it. Er: You.
Translated Poetry
Dianthus clings to the green hills and refuses to let go,
Its roots are deeply embedded in the cracks of the rocks.
Having experienced thousands of blows, I have become more resilient,
No matter how strong the wind blows from the east, west, south, and north.
Appreciation
This is a poem about painting, and it is also a poem about objects. It writes about both bamboo and people. It expresses the poet's strong character by praising the tenacity of bamboo and stone.
The first two sentences say that the roots of bamboo are deeply embedded in the crevices of the rocks, and the foundation is very solid. The second sentence says that no matter how strong the wind blows from all directions and no matter how hard the blow is, they remain firm and strong. By depicting Bamboo's tough, tenacious and persistent character, the poem expresses his upright personality and does not bow to evil forces. In particular, the poem praises bamboo's spirit of not being afraid of difficulties, overcoming difficulties, and "holding firm on the green hills without relaxing". It shines with the light of thought and provides profound enlightenment to future generations.