It was mainly written by Qu Yuan of Chu State (340 BC-278 BC). One of China's most famous poems before Qin Dynasty.
It is the representative work of Chu Ci poetry.
Li Sao is a poem in the Warring States Period, most of which was written by Qu Yuan (340-278 BC). Lisao is a masterpiece of Chu Ci and one of the most famous poems in the pre-Qin period.
The meaning of this title is controversial even in history. Sima Qian interpreted the title as "the pain of parting", that is, Qu Yuan was exiled.
Ban Gu interpreted it as "in trouble". Sima Qian's explanation is a more adopted one.
Although recent scholars also think that Li Sao is just another way of writing Lao Shang; The latter is the general term for Chu songs. In English, this title is usually translated as "lament" or "in trouble".
The significance of the topic Li Sao is quite controversial in history. Sima Qian translated it as "sadness of parting", which means that Qu Yuan was exiled. Ban Gu translates as "suffering". Although new scholars think that Li Sao is just another way of writing "Lao Shang", which is a general term for Chu Ci, people still take Sima Qian's translation as the standard. In English, Lisao is generally translated as "Elegy" or "Suffering".
This poem has 372 lines and about 2400 words.
This makes it one of the longest poems in ancient China. Although the exact date of the location is unknown, it is one of Qu Yuan's later works.
Chu Huaiwang wrote it after his exile.
Li Sao, with 372 lines and more than 2,400 words, is one of the longest poems in ancient China. Although the specific writing time of Li Sao is unknown, it is certain that it was written after Qu Yuan was exiled by Chu Huaiwang.
As a representative work of Chu Ci, Chu Ci uses a lot of metaphors from Chu culture.
Including shamanism elements, such as divination and the existence of the soul.
As well as quotations and legends in ancient history. Because of these influences, this poem is regarded as the pioneer of China's romantic poetry tradition.
Lisao, as a masterpiece of Chu Ci, contains a lot of metaphors from Chu culture, including shamanism elements such as divination and apparition, as well as characters in history and myths and legends. Therefore, this poem initiated the romanticism of China's poetry.