The Book of Songs is my country's first collection of poetry, comprehensively collecting works from more than 500 years from the early Western Zhou Dynasty to the mid-Spring and Autumn Period. It established the fine tradition of Chinese poetry, nurtured generations of poets, and was a glorious starting point for Chinese poetry and even Chinese literature as a whole. Some of these poems have become widely circulated allusions, shuttled through the poetry of subsequent generations.
1. Gantang/Litigation Tang
Poetry "Tong Le Tian sent Linghu Prime Minister to the Eastern Capital to stay behind" Liu Yuxi of the Tang Dynasty
The sword and shoes of the minister shined brightly, He went to Luoyang to guard the banner.
In the world, fame and fortune are both generals and ministers, and reputation in the world is nothing more than articles.
Looking east from Fapotou, there are Gantang trees everywhere in the spring breeze.
Allusion to Gantang
Source "The Book of Songs: Zhaonan Gantang"
Cover Fu (fi) Gantang, do not cut it or cut it, as Zhao Bo did ( b).
Cover the Fu Gantang, don't cut it, don't break it, call the uncle to rest.
Cover Fu Gantang, don’t cut it and don’t worship it, as Uncle Zhao said.
Interpretation of the poem "Gantang" is about Zhao Bo sitting under the Gantang tree and handling government affairs. Zhao Bo was the son of King Wen of Zhou. Because his fiefdom was in Zhao, he was called Zhao Gong. Duke Zhao was very diligent and caring for the people. Whenever he went somewhere, he would sit down by a tree on the roadside to solve the people's problems without having time to go in and rest. The people were grateful for this and cherished the tang tree but did not dare to cut it down, so they wrote this poem. Later generations used Gantang or Zhaogongtang to praise officials for their good governance and outstanding political achievements. Liu Yuxi used this allusion in his poem, which means that when Linghu Chu went to the east capital, he would be like Duke Zhao and carry out benevolent government.
2. Bandit's Seat/Bandit's Stone
Poetry "Four Elegies of Du Gong, the Governor of Hexi Province" (Part 4) Tang Cen Shen
The long and clear waves are broad and deep. The building is deep. Bingxin always steals seats, and spends money every time he does righteousness.
He was promoted to the Peeping Orchid Room and recruited into the Imperial Academy. Many kings have their sons, which still pay attention to the hearts of the world.
Allusion to Bandit Seat
Source "The Book of Songs: Beifeng Baizhou" (excerpt)
My heart is a stone, and I cannot turn it around. My heart is so powerful that I can't take it away. Weiyi is not optional.
The meaning of this sentence is: My heart is not like a stone, how can it be transferred by others. My heart is not like a mat, which can be opened and rolled up again. With a quiet appearance and good conduct, how can you give in and let others bully you? Later generations used the term "banditing stones" or "banditing seats" to describe firmness of mind. Cen Shen here uses bandit seats to describe Governor Du's upright heart.
3. Ji Ling/Wagtail
Poetry "Xi Ran's Bamboo Pavilion" by Tang Meng Haoran
I have had close friendships with my second and third sons throughout my life.
We all have great ambitions, and we had the heart of a wagtail in the past.
The breeze is flowing in the bamboo forest.
Da is the fun in wine and the occasional sound on the piano.
Allusion to Wagtail
Source: "The Book of Songs Xiaoya Chang Di" (excerpt)
Chang Di's beauty is not Wei Wei (wěi).
There is no better person than a brother.
The power of death and mourning, brother Kong Huai.
Yuan Xi (x) and Pei (pu) are here, and my brothers are asking for it.
The order of the spine is still there, and the brothers are in urgent need.
Interpretation "Chang Di" is a poem for entertaining brothers, singing about brotherly love. The order of the spine is still there, and the brothers are in urgent need. This sentence means that Ji Ling is homeless on the plateau and his brothers are anxious to rescue him. Jiling is the wagtail, the name of the water bird. As a water bird, this kind of bird should live in the water. Now it is on the plateau and has lost its usual place. It is a metaphor that people are in crisis now. The wagtail has lost its usual place. It sings when flying and shakes its body when walking, unable to abandon itself. The ancients used this metaphor to describe brothers who help each other in emergencies but cannot abandon themselves. Later, Chi Ling/Wagtail was used to describe brotherly love and caring for each other in times of crisis. Meng Haoran used this allusion in the poem to express his deep brotherly love with his brothers.
4. Raw Cuw
Poetry "Four Poems for Zhou Xingsi" (Part 1) Wu Jun in the Southern Dynasties
Children are humble and poor, and they are not precious. Only the Anlai Wu Zeng and the Mulin Zongjin.
A hundred years are met with affection, and a thousand miles are met with diligence. I would like to hold Jiangnan Hui as a gift to those who are born and died.
Allusion to Cud
Source: "The Book of Songs Xiaoya White Horse"
The bright white horse is in that empty valley. A bunch of cud is born, and the person is like jade. There is no sound of gold and jade, but a wandering mind.
Explanation "White Horse" is a poem about a friend who misses a wise man. Raw cud refers to green grass, which is fed to horses. Here the poet said that the bright white horse is running in the valley with a bundle of green grass, waiting for the arrival of friends. Don't be stingy in your message after farewell, and being alienated is not a good friend. Here, white colts refer to wise people and friends, and raw cud can raise white colts. Therefore, raw cud was later used to describe courtesy and respect for the virtuous, or directly to refer to virtuous people, and it was also used to express longing for friends. Zhou Xingsi was a friend of Wu Jun. In this poem, Wu Jun used the word "raw cud" to refer to the wise man, that is, Zhou Xingsi.
5. Flying Camp
Poetry "Journey to the South" (Excerpt) Ming and Tang Yin
Cast a tripod and inscribe a bell to confer a title on the city, and the fame is given to the hero.
Floating life is like duckweed, so why bother to camp day and night?
Allusion to the Fly Camp
Source: "The Book of Songs Xiaoya Blue Fly"
The blue fly camp ends at Fan. How can you, a gentleman, make unfaithful and slanderous remarks?
The bluebottle flies stop at the spine. The slanderers are indiscriminate and create chaos in the four kingdoms.
Camping bluebottle flies, stopping at hazelnuts. The slanderer is extremely ignorant and has harmed both of us.
Explanation "Blue Fly" is a poem that rebukes greedy people and warns gentlemen not to listen to slander. In this poem, bluebottles are also flies, and Yingying is the sound of flies flying back and forth. Later, blue flies were also used to describe those villains who speak slanderous words, and fly camps were used to describe those who work endlessly in pursuit of fame and fortune and small profits. Tang Yin used this allusion in his poem to express his disdain for fame and wealth.