Because of the subtle fragrance, I knew it was not snow.
I know it’s not snow from afar, because there is a faint fragrance coming. It comes from "Plum Blossom" by Wang Anshi of the Song Dynasty. Plum Blossom is a five-character quatrain composed by Wang Anshi, a poet of the Northern Song Dynasty. The first two lines of this poem describe the plum blossoms in the corner, which are not afraid of the severe cold and bloom alone proudly; the last two lines describe the fragrance of the plum blossoms, which are personified by plum blossoms and bloom alone in the cold, which symbolizes Dian's noble character and refreshing fragrance, symbolizing his talent.
The strength and noble character of plum blossoms are also used to symbolize those people who, like poets, can still persist in integrity and advocate justice in difficult circumstances. The language of the whole poem is simple, and the writing is very plain and restrained, but it is profound and thought-provoking.
In the first year of Xining, Shenzong of the Song Dynasty (1068), Wang Anshi wrote "A Hundred Years of Nothing in This Dynasty", advocating "riching the people's treasures" to save the "poor people", enriching the country and strengthening the army, and carrying out comprehensive reforms. However, the opponents continued to slander him. In the spring of the seventh year of Xining (1074), there was a severe drought, hungry people were displaced, and Wang Anshi resigned as prime minister.
In February of the following year, Wang Anshi paid homage to the prime minister again. In the ninth year of Xining (1076), after being dismissed as prime minister again, he became disheartened, gave up reform, and retreated to Zhongshan. At this time, the author's lonely mentality and difficult situation are very similar to the plum blossoms that are proud of the snow and frost, so he wrote this poem.
Overall Appreciation
The language of this poem is simple, and there is not much description of the image of plum blossoms, but it is profound and thought-provoking. His "Beipi Apricot Blossom" greatly exaggerates the enchanting image of apricot blossoms and shadows. He uses "Even if it is blown into snow by the spring breeze, it is better than being crushed into dust by Nanmo" to emphasize the nobility and perseverance of the apricot blossom. Very showy.
The ideological connotation of this poem about plum blossoms is actually similar, and the writing is very plain and restrained. Snow itself is also very beautiful and white, but this is not enough. It is beautiful and pure, but it cannot send a delicate fragrance to others. "Snow loses the fragrance of plum blossoms."
This is like a person: if you are beautiful and handsome, but do not have good moral character and talent, then you are nothing great. Not only are you beautiful and handsome, but you are also of high moral character and outstanding in learning. However, you only keep yourself clean, don't make much contribution, and don't bring the fragrance of joy to others. That is also a pity.