In late winter and early spring in Jiangnan, the weather is still relatively cold, with the average temperature around 10 degrees Celsius; there are often severe frosts and even residual snow. In this cold weather, while dogs, cats and other animals are still crouching beside the stove and under the eaves, there are already groups of ducks playing in the cold water by the ponds and streams.
This phenological phenomenon tells people: the cold weather is about to pass, the temperature begins to rise, the water temperature in rivers and streams also warms up, and spring is coming.
The water in the rivers begins to thaw in spring. Although the chill has not gone away, the temperature has begun to rise. Ducks are the first to feel the changes in water temperature, so they can't wait to dive into the water and swim. This phenomenon was observed by the poet, and he condensed the eternal saying "The duck prophet of the spring river with warm water".
"One of Two Late Scenes on the Spring River by Hui Chong"
Original text: Three or two branches of peach blossoms outside the bamboo are a prophet of the warmth of the spring river. The ground is covered with wormwood and reed buds are short, which is when the puffer fish is about to come.
Translation: Two or three peach blossoms are blooming outside the bamboo forest. Ducks are playing in the water. They are the first to notice the warming of the river in early spring. The river beach is already covered with wormwood, asparagus has begun to sprout, and the pufferfish are about to swim upstream from the sea to the river.
Extended information
Creative background
"Two Evening Scenes on the Spring River in Huichong" was written by Su Shi in Bianjing (today's Yuanfeng) in the eighth year of Shenzong Yuanfeng (1085). Kaifeng, Henan) wrote poems inscribed on two paintings of "Evening Scenery on the Spring River" painted by Hui Chong.
Poem Appreciation
The first line of the poem is "Three or two branches of peach blossoms outside the bamboo". Looking across the sparse green bamboo, a few peach blossoms are swaying. Peach and bamboo contrast with each other, and red and green set off the scenery. The spring atmosphere is particularly lovely. Although this is just a simple sentence, it reveals a lot of information.
First of all, it shows the sparseness of the bamboo forest. If it were dense, you would not be able to see the peach blossoms. Secondly, it indicates the season and highlights the word "early". The spring cold has just passed, and it is not the time for the peach blossoms to bloom yet, but the infinite vitality and potential of spring have already been revealed.
The second sentence of the poem, "The duck prophet sees the water warm in the spring river", looks from far to near, that is, from the river bank to the surface of the river. The spring water on the river is rippling, and the restless ducks are playing in the river.
This poem not only reflects the poet's meticulous observation of nature, but also embodies the poet's philosophical thinking about life. A duck can tell when a river is warm in spring when it goes into the water, which is comparable to the saying of "a fallen leaf can tell the world is in autumn".
The third and fourth lines of the poem: "The ground is full of wormwood and the reed buds are short, it is the time when the puffer fish is about to come up." These two lines of the poem are still closely related to "early spring" to describe, the ground is full of wormwood and wormwood. , short reed buds, yellow and green, gorgeous and charming, presenting a scene of spring and prosperity.
This poem successfully describes the scenery of the Spring River in early spring. Su Shi used his meticulous and keen feelings to capture the characteristics of the scenery when the seasons change, and express his joy and praise for early spring. The whole poem is full of spring and full of vitality, giving people a feeling of freshness and comfort.
Baidu Encyclopedia--Two Evening Scenes on the Spring River in Huichong