Original works:
The Willow
He Zhangzhi [Tang Dynasty]
Jasper dressed as a tree, hanging down ten thousand green silk tapestries.
I don't know who cut the thin leaves, but the spring breeze in February is like scissors.
Comment on words and phrases:
Jasper: Bright green jade. Here is a metaphor for the bright green willow leaves in spring.
Make-up: Decorate.
A tree: full of trees. One, full, full. In China's classical poems and articles, the use of quantifiers does not necessarily indicate the exact number. The "ten thousand" in the next sentence is of great significance.
Tāo: green ribbon. Describe the wicker is graceful. Taenia, a rope woven with silk. This refers to a wicker ribbon.
Cut: cut, cut.
Like: like, like.
Appreciation of works:
"Jasper makeup is as high as a tree", write the overall impression of willow. The beauty of willow image lies in its branch length. Once a year, it grows new green leaves and hangs down, which has a charming posture in the spring breeze. "Jasper" here can refer to real jade, and also implies the meaning of "Jasper" in "Jasper Little Family Girl" (Jasper Song), which refers to a beautiful young woman from a small family. The imagery beauty of willow is often used in classical poetry to describe the slim figure and graceful waist of a beauty, but this poem is original and turns willow into a beauty. Comparing willow with jasper has two meanings: first, jasper is related to the color of willow, and jasper and green in the next sentence complement each other and complement each other; Second, "Jasper" has left a young impression in people's hearts. In ancient literary works, "Jasper" has almost become a general term for young and beautiful women. Comparing willow leaves with jasper, people will imagine that this beautiful woman has not yet reached her prime. This willow is still a small willow in early spring, and it is not time to hide crows in dense leaves. At the same time, it is related to the "thin leaves" and "February spring breeze" below.
"Wan Chuiqing Silk Tapestry" specifically describes the dense and gently drooping branches of willow, which is the most representative part of willow. With the foreshadowing of the previous sentence, this intricate hanging silk has also become a nepotism of beauty. The word "Gao" in the previous sentence sets off the graceful charm of beautiful Tingting; The word "hanging" in the next sentence means that the slender waist is swaying in the wind. There are no words "willow" and "waist" in the poem, but the beauty embodied by weeping willows and willows in early spring is vividly written. "Southern History" said that Liu Yong was the secretariat of Yizhou and presented several Shu Liu plants. "These strips are very long and look like silk threads." Emperor Wu of Qi planted these willows in the Taichang Cloud and in front of the temple, saying that they were "romantic and lovely". Here, wicker is called "green silk sash", which may be an allusion to willow. But there are almost no traces of use here.
"I don't know who cut the thin leaves. The spring breeze in February is like scissors." These two sentences are further refined, depicting the tender leaves of willow trees. Each leaf is unique in shape and delicate in texture, as if it were carefully cut out. The poet can't help but ask in surprise: which clever tailor made this kind of thin leaves full of trees? Then she found the answer: it turned out that this is a masterpiece of nature. She cut out the spring scenery on the tree with scissors of February spring breeze. Green leaves are like patterns and patterns on beautiful women's clothes. At this point, the beautiful scenery jumped from the paper. The clever metaphor of "the spring breeze in February is like scissors" vividly depicts the invisible and unpredictable spring breeze. Spring breeze and scissors, originally completely irrelevant, their similarities only exist in the poet's imagination. Therefore, "the spring breeze in February is like scissors" is novel and can arouse people's rich associations.
This poem is ambitious and clever in metaphor. Focus on the overall situation first, and then describe it locally. The more detailed and vivid it is, the more vividly it shows the shape and spirit of the willow tree. The topic is to chant willow, but not only to chant willow, but also to chant spring. Singing is natural. The whole poem is made of jasper, and the moss tapestry is cited, and whoever leads the moss tapestry is cut out. Finally, scissors vividly describe the invisible and unpredictable spring breeze. These "scissors" cut out bright green flowers and plants and put on a new makeup for the earth. It is the symbol of natural vitality and the inspiration of spring to people's beauty. From Jasper Makeup to Scissors, we can see the process of the poet's artistic conception. A series of images in poetry are closely linked.
Creative background:
In the third year of Tianbao reign of Emperor Xuanzong of the Tang Dynasty (AD 744), He Zhangzhi returned to his hometown and officials saw him off. He took a boat through Nanjing and Hangzhou and arrived in Xiaoshan County along Xiaoshaoguan River. Yue officials met him at the post office, and then took a boat to his old house by the Panshui River outside the south gate. At this time, it was the early spring of February, willow buds sprouted, spring was full, and the breeze blew on my face. He is like a bird out of the cage, and he is naturally very happy when he returns to his hometown. He wrote this poem on the spot.
About the author:
He (659-744), born in Yongxing (now Shaoxing) (now Xiaoshan, Zhejiang), was born in his ancestral home. He's poems are famous for quatrains. Apart from offering sacrifices to the gods and writing poems, his writing style and lyricism are unique, fresh and natural. The two famous poems, "Chanting Willow" and "The Return of the Native", have been passed down through the ages. Today, they are still recorded in the whole Tang poetry *** 19.