Meaning: In February, the branches of Jiangnan flowers are in full bloom. It is sad enough to spend the Cold Food Festival in a foreign country. People who live in poverty usually don’t have a fire to cook, and they don’t just eat cold food like Zitui tomorrow.
The original text of the poem "Cold Food" - Meng Yunqing of the Tang Dynasty
In February, the branches in the south of the Yangtze River are full of flowers, and the cold food in a foreign country is far from sad.
Poor people often have no fireworks, not only in the Ming Dynasty.
Extended information
1. The background of the creation of "Cold Food"
In the system of the Tang Dynasty, on the Qingming day, the emperor declared a decree to take the fire of elms and willows and reward his ministers. This ceremony has two purposes: first, it marks the end of the Cold Food Festival and it is time to use fire; second, it serves as a reminder to ministers and officials, so that everyone can learn from Jie Zitui, who does not receive rewards even for meritorious services. After the middle Tang Dynasty, several emperors favored the eunuchs, which made them very powerful, corrupting the government and excluding the officials. Some people think that this poem was written for this reason.
2. Appreciation of "Hanshi"
Hanshi is a traditional festival in ancient my country. It is held two days before the Qingming Festival. It depends on the burning of Jie Zitui.
This poem is good at selecting typical themes and quoting appropriate allusions to satirize the corruption phenomenon of eunuchs gaining favor and exclusive power. Although the writing is very subtle, readers can still understand the theme of the poem with hints of historical allusions and confirmation of the social situation in the mid-Tang Dynasty.