Inspirational ancient poems: "Mo Mei" by Wang Mian of the Yuan Dynasty, "Bamboo and Stone" by Zheng Xie of the Qing Dynasty, "Ode of Lime" by Yu Qian of the Ming Dynasty, "Cold Chrysanthemum" by Zheng Sixiao of the Song Dynasty, "Fu Di Hou Fu" by Huang Chao of the Tang Dynasty chrysanthemum".
1. "Ink Plum" by Wang Mian of the Yuan Dynasty
The tree at the head of the inkstone washing pond at my house has flowers blooming with faint ink marks.
Don’t let anyone praise you for your good color, just leave the pure air to fill the universe.
Translation: There is a plum tree beside the inkstone washing pond in my house, and the blossoming plum blossoms look like they are dyed with light ink. It does not need others to praise how beautiful the color is, it just wants to spread the fragrance between heaven and earth.
2. "Bamboo and Stone" by Zheng Xie of the Qing Dynasty
The green mountains are not relaxed, and the roots are still in the broken rocks.
After countless hardships, I am still strong, regardless of the wind from east to west, north or south.
Translation: The bamboo grasps the green mountain and does not relax at all. Its roots are firmly rooted in the rock crevices. After countless hardships and blows, my body and bones are still strong, no matter whether you blow the southeast wind in the scorching summer or the northwest wind in the harsh winter.
3. "Ode of Lime" by Yu Qian of the Ming Dynasty
Thousands of hammers carved out the deep mountains, and the fire burned them as if nothing happened.
Don’t be afraid of your bones being shattered into pieces, you must remain innocent in this world.
Translation: Limestone can be mined from the mountains after thousands of hammers. It treats the burning of raging fire as a very common thing. Don't be afraid even if your body is broken into pieces, as long as you keep your noble integrity in the world.
4. "Cold Chrysanthemum" by Zheng Sixiao in the Song Dynasty
The flowers are not in full bloom, but the fun of being independent and sparse is not endless.
I would rather die with the fragrance on the branches than blow it down in the north wind.
Translation: Chrysanthemums bloom in autumn, never among other flowers, standing alone beside sparse fences, and their sentiment and interest have not faded. It would be better to wither and die on the branches than to be blown down by the harsh north wind.
5. "Ode to the Chrysanthemums of Budi Hou" by Huang Chao of the Tang Dynasty
When autumn comes on September 8th, I will kill all the flowers after they bloom.
The towering incense array penetrates Chang'an, and the whole city is covered with golden armor.
Translation: When the Double Ninth Festival comes in September in autumn, the chrysanthemums will bloom and other flowers will wither. The fragrance of blooming chrysanthemums filled Chang'an, and golden armor-like chrysanthemums were everywhere.