Author Wang Anshi, Song Dynasty
There are some plums in the corner, and cold ling opens them alone.
I knew from a distance that it wasn't snow, because there was a smell coming.
Translation annotation
Several plum blossoms in the corner are blooming alone in the cold.
Why do you know from a distance that Bai Meihua is not snow? Because there is a faint plum blossom fragrance.
Make an appreciative comment
"There are many plums in the corner" and "corner" are inconspicuous, not easy to be known and not appreciated, but they don't care. The "corner" environment highlights the humble and lonely forms of several plums. It reflects the attitude of people who still insist on their opinions in a bad environment.
"Cold ling drives alone" and "one person" have strong meanings, and they are not afraid of others' eyes, and they still stand up in harsh environments. Reflect the poet's belief in self-persistence.
"Far knowledge is not snow", and "far knowledge" refers to the fragrance floating from a distance, which is faint and not obvious. The poet has a keen sense of smell, unique vision and is good at discovering. "Not snow", not plum blossoms, but the whiteness of plum blossoms can be seen. It means it looks pure and white from a distance, but you know it's not snow, it's plum blossoms. Poetic twists and turns are implicit and intriguing. A faint fragrance, a delicate fragrance.
"Because there is a faint scent", "faint scent" refers to the scent of plum blossoms, which personifies people, and cold ling is alone and noble in character; The faint fragrance is a symbol of its brilliance.
In the first two sentences, the plum blossom in the corner is not afraid of the cold, but proudly independent. In the last two sentences, the plum blossom is brightly white and fragrant, which praises the demeanor and character of the plum blossom and is a portrayal of the poet's cold and stubborn character. The poet described the purity and beauty of plum blossom with snow by appreciating its noble character of not being afraid of cold, and pointed out that plum blossom has a "dark fragrance" more than snow, which shows the great charm of a strong and noble personality. In the extremely complicated and difficult situation of the Northern Song Dynasty, the author actively reformed, but failed to get support. His lonely mentality and difficult situation naturally have something in common with Meihua. This little poem has profound implications, and the sentences are simple and natural, without any traces of carving.