1. Plants
Plum blossoms
Plum blossoms have been admired and praised by poets since ancient times. Plum blossoms are the first to bloom in the severe cold, and then bring out the fragrance of brilliant flowers. Therefore, plum blossoms, like chrysanthemums, have become a symbol of noble personality. Looking at ancient poetry, the main meanings expressed in the image of "plum blossom" are:
(1) The unyielding tenacity of Linghan
Plum blossoms bloom in the cold winter and are praised for their defiance of the severe cold. Endowed with tenacious spiritual qualities. Mao Zedong's "Bu Suanzi: Yong Mei": "The cliff is already covered with hundreds of feet of ice, but there are still beautiful flowers and branches." The previous sentence describes the harsh living environment of plum blossoms in the cold winter. But in the harsh environment and sinister atmosphere, the plum blossoms are blooming beautifully on this steep cliff with hundreds of feet of ice. The word "Qiao" not only depicts the gorgeous shape of the plum blossoms, but also shows the proud and tall plum blossoms. , the spiritual temperament of the hero among the flowers.
(2) The courage to lead the world and dare to be the first in the world
The plum blossom is the first to bloom among the flowers, so it symbolizes the courage to be the first. Chen Liang of the Song Dynasty wrote "Plum Blossom": "One flower suddenly changes first, and hundreds of flowers are fragrant later." The poet grasped the characteristics of plum blossoms that bloom first, and wrote about the quality of not being afraid of setbacks and daring to be the first in the world. Chant yourself.
(3) Noble and refined character, and an unconventional mind
The literati of the past dynasties regarded the nobility and solitary self-admiration of plum blossoms as the value of their life pursuits. Lu You's "Bu Suanzi: Ode to the Plum Blossoms" "The plum blossoms were scattered and turned into mud and crushed into dust, but only the fragrance remains the same." The poet used the plum blossoms to express his ambition, and wrote about the perseverance of high ambitions in the dangerous official career in a tortuous way. Don't be vulgar, don't yield to evil, and don't follow the trend. Pure and unconventional, with unswerving feelings and ambitions.
In "Mo Mei" written by Wang Mian of the Yuan Dynasty: "Don't let people praise the good color, just leave the pure energy to fill the world." It also uses the pure and pure plum blossoms to reflect one's unwillingness to be complicit in the quality of the poem. The words are simple but the meaning is profound.
(4) The symbol of the hermit scholar
When the poet was frustrated, he felt unsatisfactory in the world and was influenced by the Taoist philosophy of freedom, so he placed his affection on the mountains and forests, longing for purity and peace. In life, plum blossoms also have the image of a hermit scholar.
Zhang Kejiu's "Yue Tiao·Tian Jing Sha·Lu Qing'an": "The moss and ancient trees are rustling, and the blue clouds and autumn water are far away. The red leaf mountain house is small, who has been there? The plum explorers cross the stream bridge." The poet brings us into a deep and uninhabited place, but the autumn air is crisp and clear, so there is no such thing as "exploring plum blossoms". In fact, this "plum blossom" is the noble hermit like plum blossoms - Lu Qing. The plum blossoms are compared to the hermits, and the hermits are also plum blossoms.
(5) Cool and elegant beauty
Plum blossoms have had the image of "frost and snow beauty" since ancient times. The legend of plum blossoms is recorded in Liu Zongyuan's "Dragon City Records". Zhao Shixiong in Emperor Kaihuang of the Sui Dynasty In the cold winter, I saw a beauty wearing light makeup and plain clothes in Luofu Mountain. This woman is the embodiment of plum blossom. Therefore, later generations often compare plum blossoms to beauty, not only because of its beauty, but also because of its cool and elegant beauty.
Zhang Kejiu's "Huang Zhong·Full Moon·Wandering in Tiger Hill in the Snow" says: "The plum blossoms look like Zhen Zhen's face, leaving me to lean on the railing." "Zhen Zhen" in the poem refers to the appearance of a beautiful woman, as seen in " The beauty in a sacred painting recorded in "Taiping Guangji. Painter" is named Zhenzhen.
Wu Yuanheng's "Gift to the Taoist": "The linen clothes are like snow and a branch of plum blossoms, smiling and wearing makeup to fall asleep. If you meet a Yue girl in the river, the white lotus will bloom in the red lotus pond." In the poem, "The linen clothes are like snow. "Used to describe the snow-white clothes worn by a woman. After describing the woman's clothes, the poet compared the woman's figure and charm with the elegant and pure white plum, which is really vivid.
(6) A medium for conveying emotions and blessings
While becoming the messenger of spring, plum blossoms have also become a tool for conveying friendship.
Lu Kai's "Gift to Fan Ye" of the Southern Dynasty: "Folding plum blossoms and sending them to Longtou people when I meet the messenger. I have nothing in the south of the Yangtze River, so I just want to send a spring branch." Folding plum blossoms and sending them to friends is a way to express oneself. Plum blossoms promise oneself, and plum blossoms promise others. It expresses admiration for friends who have the same character as plum blossoms; it also contains a feeling of comfort to friends, indicating that spring will come to the north in the near future. My feelings for my friends are like plum blossoms, which do not wither despite severe cold. There is quite a kind of friendship and the meaning of being kind to friends. Folding plum blossoms to write letters is also a manifestation of the poet's elegant sentiments. "Plum Blossom Messenger" became the nickname of the post envoy, and "Plum Blossom Post" became the nickname of the post station; "Plum Blossom Appointment" refers to a date with a friend.
Of course, plum blossoms are also a medium for conveying blessings between people. Because the word "match" between plum and matchmaker is homophonic, plum is often regarded as the "fruit of matchmaking", so the ancients have stories of "throwing plum blossoms to propose marriage". In addition, "double happiness with bamboo and plum" is often used as a blessing for newlyweds.
Lotus
(1) The flower of the gentleman
Zhou Dunyi said, "The lotus is the flower of the gentleman." It is because of its noble quality of "coming out of the silt but not stained, washing the clear ripples without being evil".
(2) The Flower of Beauty
Wang Changling's "Two Lotus Picking Songs" (Part 2): "The lotus leaf skirt is cut in one color, and the hibiscus blooms on both sides of the face. It falls into the pool randomly. I can't see it, but when I hear the song, I feel that someone is coming. "The lotus leaves and the skirt, the human face and the lotus, are integrated and complement each other. At first glance, it is almost impossible to tell which is the lotus leaf and which is the skirt. Which is the lotus and which is the skirt." It's the face. She is the poet's dream lover.
(3) Flower of Love
Since "Lotus" and "Pity" have the same sound, there are many poems about lotus in ancient poems to express love.
"Xizhou Song" by Yuefu in the Southern Dynasties: "In autumn, lotus flowers are collected in Nantang, and the lotus flowers are more than people's heads; I lower my head to pick the lotus seeds, and the lotus seeds are as green as water. "Lotus seeds" means "pity", and "green" means: "love". This is a real writing and an imaginary writing. , semantic pun, using homophonic pun rhetoric to express a woman's deep longing and pure love for the man she loves.
(4) The Flower of Nostalgia
The King of the Yuan Dynasty. Han's "Ti Bai He": "I once carried wine back to the West Lake, and the fragrant breeze made the sun shine brightly. Fangfei has withered away today, but the sound of autumn is sent to the guest's clothes. "The poet used the sound of falling lotus to convey to the travelers, and wrote about the cherished people in a sad and touching way.
Chrysanthemum
Chrysanthemum, with its pure and elegant character, brilliant and colorful colors, It is favored by literati for its tenacity and richness of taste.
(1) The flower of secluded scholars
Chrysanthemum, lonely and elegant, aloof and arrogant, has always been a secluded flower. A symbol of the reclusive feelings of a noble man. Meng Haoran's "Passing an Old Friend's Village" describes the poet's feelings of reclusiveness when visiting friends during the Double Ninth Festival. "An old friend invited me to Tian's house with chicken millet. The green trees border the village, and the green mountains and hills slope outside. Open a pavilion and a garden, talk about mulberry and hemp over wine. When the Double Ninth Festival comes, there will be chrysanthemums. "The last two sentences describe the meeting of host and guest: on the beautiful day of the Double Ninth Festival, drinking wine and admiring chrysanthemums, reaffirming one's aspirations and revisiting old feelings. Chrysanthemums are a portrayal of the life of a hermit who is far away from the world and enjoys her beauty in isolation. "Return" reveals the poet's indifference to this kind of tranquility. The longing for a lonely and elegant hermit life
(2) Feeling sad about the flowers
The ancients had the custom of climbing high and looking far away, drinking wine and admiring chrysanthemums on the Double Ninth Festival. After going through wars and wanderings, sometimes missing my hometown, feeling sad about old age, or worrying about the people when I was injured, I often used the Double Ninth Festival to climb high, drink wine and admire chrysanthemums, and vomit a lump in my chest. Cen Shen's "March for Nine Days and Thinking of Chang'an Hometown": "I have a strong desire to climb high. Go, no one brings wine. The chrysanthemums that take pity on my hometown should bloom near the battlefield. "Three or four sentences describe the poet's pity for flowers and homesickness, concern for the country and the people. The hometown of Chang'an is raging with war and smoke. Under the bloody wind, among the ruins, clusters of chrysanthemums bloom lonely, withered and dilapidated. Shocking autumn chrysanthemums The close-up has obviously broken through the simple feeling of cherishing flowers and homesickness, and expresses the poet's sympathy for the war-torn people and his desire to put an end to the Anshi Rebellion as soon as possible.
(3) The loyal and noble flower< /p>
Chrysanthemum is not as gorgeous as peonies, nor as precious as orchids, but it is frost-resistant, strong and unyielding, noble and elegant, and full of fragrance. Therefore, there are many odes to chrysanthemums in ancient times. Yuan Zhen's "Chrysanthemums" expresses his love for chrysanthemums and praises the chrysanthemums' steadfast character. "The autumn bushes surround the house like Tao's house, and the fence is gradually sloping. It’s not that chrysanthemums are preferred among flowers. There will be no flowers even after all the flowers have bloomed. "This is the charm of chrysanthemum, and it is also a portrayal of the poet who is not afraid of the powerful but outspoken, and who has been relegated but has a firm mind.
(4) The flower of fighting against heaven and earth
Peasant uprising in the late Tang Dynasty The leader Huang Chao’s two chrysanthemum poems wipe away the aloofness of chrysanthemums and highlight the heroic power of chrysanthemums to fight against the world and change the situation. The poem "Inscribed on Chrysanthemums" reads: "The west wind fills the courtyard. Planted, the pistils are cold, fragrant and cold, and it is difficult for butterflies to come. If I were the Qing Emperor in his future years, I would be rewarded with peach blossoms. "Throughout the whole poem, the poet actually uses flowers as metaphors for people and objects to express his ambitions. Chrysanthemums are the embodiment of thousands of people at the bottom of society at that time. The author not only praises their vitality despite the wind and frost, but also They are indignant about their situation and fate, and are determined to make complete changes so that the working people can live in a warm and happy spring.
The Wutong
The Wutong is more than a symbol of misery. , The phoenix tree has rich meanings in ancient poetry.
(1) The image and meaning of noble character
The phoenix tree symbolizes noble and beautiful character in ancient poetry. Yes, on that high hill. The phoenix trees are growing, and the sun is rising over there" ("The Book of Songs, Daya, Volume"). Here the poet uses phoenixes to harmoniously sing, and their songs fly over the hills; the phoenix trees grow wildly, and they are covered with the bright morning sun to symbolize the nobility and beauty of character. Another example is " Hanging down to drink the clear dew, the sound of flowing water comes out of the sparse tung trees. "Living loudly and far away is not borrowing the autumn wind" (Yu Shinan's "Cicada"). This little poem with metaphorical meaning uses tall and straight parasol trees with sparse green leaves as the habitat of cicadas, and writes about the nobility of cicadas and metaphors. The beauty of one's own character. Zhuangzi also said in "Autumn Water": "The bird's bird originates from the South China Sea and flies over the North Sea, not without the parasol tree. "The phoenix is ??a bird like the phoenix mentioned in ancient books. It was born in the South China Sea, and when it wants to fly to the North Sea, only the phoenix tree is its habitat. The phoenix tree here is also a symbol of nobility. Therefore, in ancient times, there was a saying of "planting the phoenix tree" "To attract the phoenix".
(2) The image and meaning of loyal love
The sycamore has tall branches, deep roots and luxuriant leaves. In the poet's writing, it has become the symbol of loyal love. Symbol. For example, “Pine and cypress trees are planted on the east and west, and sycamore trees are planted on the left and right. The branches cover each other, and the leaves communicate with each other" ("Peacock Flies Southeast"). In the poem, the branches and leaves of pines, cypresses and sycamores are used to cover and intersect, symbolizing Liu Lanzhi and Jiao Zhongqing's unswerving loyalty to love. The pursuit of pure love between these two pairs of people. The couple who fought against the feudal ethics were forced to separate during their lifetime and were buried together in Jiuquan.
(3) The image and meaning of loneliness and sadness
The wind blows the fallen leaves and the rain drops. Wutong, a desolate scene, has become an image of loneliness and sorrow in the literati's works, such as "Speechless alone on the west tower, the moon is like a hook." "Lonely Wutong deep courtyard locks the autumn" (Li Yu's "Meeting Happily"), which vividly describes the desolation of the subjugated king living in a lonely deep courtyard.
The heavy door was locked, Gu Ying lingered, only the cold moonlight shone through the gaps in the sycamore branches and leaves, it was so desolate! Another example is "The sound of phoenix leaves sounds of autumn, and the sound of banana leaves means sadness" (Xu Zaisi's "Water Fairy Night Rain"). On a lonely night in late autumn, the night raindrops hit the phoenix trees and banana trees. Each sound brings out bursts of autumn thoughts and wisps of autumn thoughts in the lovesick person. melancholy. This is both a lovesickness song on a rainy night and a picture of a windy and rainy autumn night! Facing this scene, the pain of lovesickness welled up in the heart of the poet.
(4) The image and meaning of parting and farewell
In the poetry of the Tang and Song Dynasties, Wutong has the most images and meanings of parting and parting. For example, "It rains on the sycamore tree at the third watch of the night, and it is not true that separation from love is suffering. Every leaf, with a sound, drips from the empty steps to the bright sky" (Wen Tingyun's "Geng Liuzi"), at the third watch of the autumn night, cold rain drops on the leaves of the sycamore tree, a person The fragile and sensitive heart of a woman who is alone in her autumn boudoir can no longer bear the pain of separation. She is full of sadness, resentment and sadness, and stays up all night. It has profound meaning and is endlessly memorable. Another example is "The parasol trees are drizzling, and at dusk, bit by bit. This time, how can there be a word for sadness" (Li Qingzhao's "Slow Voice"). After the death of her husband, Li Qingzhao, who stayed alone in the empty house, suffered the pain of the destruction of his country and his family. . At this time, the poetess stood alone in front of the window, the rain beat on the sycamore trees, and the sound was desolate. She was lonely and helpless, and she missed her husband deeply.
Pine and cypress
(1) Aloof and tenacious
"The Analects of Confucius·Zihan" said: "When the years are cold, you will know that the pines and cypresses will wither." Later poems often used pines and cypresses to symbolize the lonely and cold-resistant character.
(2) Nobility and integrity
Li Bai's "Giving a Book to the Emperor Huang Shang": "I hope you will learn from the pine tree, and be careful not to be a peach and plum." Wei Huangshang has always flattered the powerful, Li Bai wrote The poem advises him and hopes that he will be an upright person.
Liu Zhen, a native of the Three Kingdoms, wrote in "Gift to Congdi": "Don't you suffer from the cold? Pines and cypresses have their own nature." With this sentence, the poet encouraged his cousin to be as loyal as giving him pine and cypresses, and to maintain a noble attitude under any circumstances. quality.
Bamboo
(1) Integrity, nobility and humility
Slim, tall and colorful bamboos are often given the character of celebrities. There is a famous line about bamboo in Su Shi's "Yu Qianseng Luyunxuan": "It is better to eat without meat than live without bamboo. Without meat, people will be thin, but without bamboo, people will be vulgar. People who are thin can still gain weight, but scholars and vulgar people cannot be cured." Bamboo is regarded as the highest symbol of celebrity style.
(2) Persevere and face difficulties
Zheng Banqiao chanted and painted bamboo throughout his life, and left many good quotes about bamboo, such as: "Stick to the green mountains and never relax, keep your roots where they are." "In the broken rock. It has endured countless blows and is still strong, regardless of the east, west, north and south winds." It praises the tenacity and indomitable character of the green bamboo standing in the rock and its innate character of not being afraid of adversity and thriving.
2. Animals
Cicada
(1) Noble conduct
Because cicadas live on high branches, they eat in the wind and sleep in the open, and do not eat Fireworks in the world are metaphors for character, which belongs to the noble type. Therefore, the ancients often used the cicada's noble character to express the noble character of their own conduct.
Luo Binwang's "Cicadas in Prison": "The cicadas sing in the Western continent, and the guests in the southern crown are deep in thought. The mysterious shadows on the temples come to sing to the white heads. It is difficult to fly in due to the heavy dew, and it is easy to sink due to the sound of the wind." No one believes in noble character. "Yu Shinan's "Cicada": "It is not to borrow the autumn wind to speak loudly." They all use cicada to refer to noble character.
(2) Sad and desolate
The cicada after autumn cannot live long. After the autumn rain, the cicada will only have a few intermittent whines, and its life will be lost. Day and night. Therefore, chilling has become synonymous with sadness.
The first two sentences of "Cicada" by Luo Binwang of the Tang Dynasty: "The cicadas sing in the west, and the guests in the south are thinking deeply." The cicada sings loudly to exaggerate his deep nostalgia for home in prison.
The opening line of "Rain Lin Ling" by Liu Yong of the Song Dynasty is: "The cicadas are mournful, facing the pavilion at night, and the showers have begun to subside." Before the direct description of separation, the feeling of "miserable and miserable" is already full. In the readers' hearts, an atmosphere is brewed that can trigger the sadness of separation.
(3) Life is short, cherish life
When the white dew comes, the cicada will undoubtedly die, giving people a sense of helpless sadness. The poet often uses the cicada as a metaphor for his tragic feelings and the desolate storm of life. The author's subjective feelings of pity for life permeate between the lines.
Yuan Zhen's "Send Off to Lu Kan" "The sound of mangroves and cicadas fills the setting sun, and the white-headed friends are doubly hurt when sending each other off." The words "mangrove", "cicada", "sunset" and "white-headed" are naturally integrated. Together, the "cicada" accompanied by the setting sun is exactly the true portrayal of a bald man. Coupled with the sadness of parting, it is a movement of descending condensed force. This sustenance of the cicada highlights the poet's subjective feeling, that is, the tragic image of a long journey, life is like a white horse passing by, and fleeting. This image of the cicada has a subtle meaning and a far-reaching meaning, which is indescribable.
Chen Ziang's "Thirty-six Encounter Poems·Part 12" "The cicada is called Bailu, and it has been wasted. The group of things has changed, but the lonely hero will be helpless." This poem is clear. Writing about cicada hurts oneself secretly. On the surface, the poem describes the helpless sadness that the cicada will inevitably die when the white dew comes. In essence, it uses the cicada as a metaphor for the tragic feelings of being less than a hundred years old and the desolate wind and rain of life. The author's subjective feelings of pity for life undoubtedly permeate between the lines.
Zigui
The cuckoo has a black-gray body, white spots on its tail, and black horizontal stripes on its abdomen. In late spring and early summer, it often sings day and night. This is a beautiful, lovely, spiritual and magical beneficial bird. The cuckoo bird is also called Du Yu, Cuckoo, Zigui, Wangdi, Shu bird, etc.
The image of the cuckoo bird has been often chanted by literati since ancient times. There are countless poems about it and its cultural connotations are rich and colorful.
(1) To express the feeling of regretting and cherishing spring
Su Shi's "Huanxi Sand": "The sandy road among the pines is clean and mudless, and the raindrops are crying at dusk." The sandy road among the pine forests is so clean. Without touching the soil, the sound of the dusk rain and the cuckoo's call echoed. Although the author was demoted to Huangzhou, he drew the joy of life from the natural scenery. The cuckoo bird here highlights the author's feelings of regretting and cherishing spring. "I'm afraid that the sound of Zigui will reach my ears, and the words of the shy swallows will penetrate the curtain." (Zhu Shuzhen's "Shangchun"), "Du Yuchun died with the sound of Du Yuchun's death, and the lonely curtain was pierced by the moon." (Cao Xueqin's "A Dream of Red Mansions: Peach Blossom Journey") are all borrowed. The cuckoo bird comes to express the feeling of cherishing the spring.
(2) Expressing the homesickness of wanderers
The cuckoo’s song is very similar to people saying: “It’s better to go back.” Therefore, the cuckoo bird is also called thinking about returning and urging return. It can easily cause wanderers to feel homesick and miss their loved ones. "When all the poplar flowers have fallen, they are crowing, and I heard that the dragon crossed the five streams." (Li Bai's "I heard that Wang Changling moved to the left and the dragon passed away, and this message was sent") The sentence begins with a description of the scene in front of you, and expresses the sentiment of parting in the desolate and desolate natural scenery. , conveying the infinite thoughts and deep sympathy for friends in a tortuous way.
(3) Convey your sorrow and sorrow
Du Yu is also called Emperor Wang. Legend has it that he was the king of Shu in the late Zhou Dynasty. He later abdicated and retired to the mountains. Unfortunately, the country dies and the body dies, and after death the soul turns into a cuckoo bird. Every year in late spring when the rhododendrons bloom, they chirp on festive nights, screaming in agony until blood drips from their mouths. Its sound is mournful, so people use it to express their sorrow and sorrow.
"What did you hear at dawn and dusk? The cuckoo crows and the blood ape cries." (Bai Juyi's "Pipa Journey") Here Bai Juyi was demoted to Jiangzhou, seeing off guests on a moonlit night, and hearing the story of the abandoned pipa girl, the poet I was extremely sad, and then I looked back at myself, living in exile in Xunyang City, where I was sick, surrounded by bitter bamboos, and heard the cuckoo cries of blood day and night, and I felt infinite sadness. Li Shangyin's "Jin Se" contains: "Zhuang Sheng was fascinated by butterflies in his dawn dream, and looked forward to the emperor's spring heart with cuckoos." The poet cleverly used the above allusions to write his own sorrow and sorrow vividly.
(4) Expressing the pain and patriotism of the country’s subjugation
Li Yu’s "Linjiang Immortal" contains: "Zi Gui cries to the moon in the west of the small building, with jade hooks and curtains, melancholy smoke at dusk "Cui." It is said that Zigui was transformed by the soul of Du Yu who lost his country, so people often use it to express the sorrow of the country's subjugation. Here the poet has had a premonition of the country's subjugation, and is extremely sad and melancholy, so he uses the vivid image of Zigui to convey the sound of the country's subjugation.
In short, the ancients used the image of cuckoo as a medium to express the poet's specific ideological content, which greatly enriched the connotation of ancient poetry and allowed us to appreciate a gorgeous and colorful picture.