First, the reason why the peacock flies southeast. The Peacock Flying Southeast is a narrative poem that was first discovered in "New Odes of Yutai" compiled by Xu Ling of Chen Chao during the Southern and Northern Dynasties. The original name was "Ancient Poetry Written by Jiao Zhongqing's Wife", also called "Jiao Zhongqing's Wife". Later, many people based it on It is customary to take the first line of the poem as the title, and call it "The Peacock Flies Southeast". The poem "Peacock Flying Southeast" has 352 lines and 1,765 words. It is the first long narrative poem in the history of Chinese literature. It represents the highest achievement in the development of Han Yuefu folk songs and has had a profound influence for thousands of years.
Second, the story of the peacock flying southeast is sad and sad. The poem tells the love story of a woman named Liu Lanzhi and Jiao Zhongqing. Liu Lanzhi has been smart, hardworking and kind since she was a child. She married Jiao Zhongqing at the age of 17. After marriage, the couple is in love, happy and sweet. But my mother-in-law opposed it, interfered and made things difficult in every possible way. Liu Lanzhi was forced to tell her husband and offered to return her to her parents' home. Husband and wife were forced to separate, which was extremely painful. They vowed not to bear each other down when they parted. Unexpectedly, after Liu Lanzhi returned to her natal family, she was coerced and lured by her scheming brother, who asked her to remarry the prefect's son. The day before their wedding, Liu Lanzhi and Jiao Zhongqing met and cried, so they agreed to "meet under the underworld". On the night of the prefect's son's wedding, Liu Lanzhi went to Qingchi and committed suicide by jumping into the river. After hearing the news, Jiao Zhongqing also hanged himself on a branch in the southeast. The couple both died from then on. This is the sadness of the peacock flying southeast. love story.
Third, the peacock flying southeast is not a definite direction. According to research, the Chen Dynasty during the Northern and Southern Dynasties was in the Jiangnan area, with its capital in Nanjing. The South China Sea is southeast of Nanjing. After Liu Lanzhi and Jiao Zhongqing died in love, it is said that they turned into peacocks and flew to the southeast. Why not fly in another direction? I personally think that there is Guanyin Bodhisattva in the South China Sea, so this explanation makes sense. "The Peacock Flies Southeast" is a shocking love tragedy. It has a high degree of typical significance in feudal society. The poem profoundly exposes the evils of feudal ethics and feudal patriarchal system, warmly praises the valuable spirit of the lovers Liu Lanzhi and Jiao Zhongqing who fought to the death for their loyal love, and expresses the people's passionate yearning for the freedom of love and marriage. For thousands of years, It has always excited countless readers.