The jasper tree is as tall as a tree, and thousands of green silk ribbons hang down from it, which comes from a seven-character quatrain "Ode to the Willows" written by He Zhizhang, a poet of the Tang Dynasty. This is a poem about things. Meaning: The tall willow trees are covered with new green leaves, and the soft willow branches hang down, like thousands of gently fluttering green ribbons.
Original text
The jasper is as high as a tree, with thousands of green silk ribbons hanging down.
I don’t know who cuts out the thin leaves. The spring breeze in February is like scissors.
Translation
The tall willow trees seem to be decorated with jasper, and the thousands of low-hanging willow branches are like green ribbons.
I don’t know whose skillful hands cut these thin leaves. The spring breeze in February is like a pair of dexterous scissors.
Notes
1. Jasper: jade green. Here it is used as a metaphor for the green willow leaves in spring.
2. Makeup: decoration, dressing up.
3. A tree: full of trees. One: full, complete. In Chinese classical words and articles, quantifiers do not necessarily indicate exact quantities when used. The "wan" in the next sentence means a lot.
4. 绦(tāo): a rope made of silk. This refers to wicker like a ribbon.
5. Cut: Cut.
6. Similar: Like, as if.
Creative background
In the third year of Emperor Xuanzong's reign of Tianbao (744), He Zhizhang was ordered to return to his hometown, and hundreds of officials saw him off. He took a boat via Nanjing, Hangzhou, and along the Xiaoshaoguan River to Xiaoshan County. Yuezhou officials came to greet him at the post station, and then took a boat to his old house by the Panshui River outside the South Gate. It is early spring in February, the willow buds are beginning to sprout, the spring atmosphere is full, and the breeze is blowing. He Zhizhang returned to his hometown like a bird out of its cage, and he was naturally very happy and wrote this poem on the spot.
Appreciation
This is a poem about things, written about willows in early spring in February. The poet used metaphors and personification techniques to vividly sing the charming grace of the tender willows in early spring and praise the miraculous craftsmanship of nature.
This poem has lofty intentions and clever metaphors. It first looks at the big picture, and then describes it in detail, writing more and more details, and vividly expresses the shape and spirit of the willow tree. The title is "Wing Willow", but it is not just "Wing Willow", it is also Wing Chun, praising nature. The whole poem begins with "made of jasper" leading to "green silk ribbon", and "green silk ribbon" leads to "who cuts it out". Finally, the invisible and elusive "spring breeze" is also used as "like scissors" Depicted visually. These "scissors" cut out green and bright red flowers and plants, giving the earth a new look. It is a symbol of natural vitality and a revelation of beauty that spring brings to people. From "jasper makeup" to "scissors", we can see the poet's series of artistic conception processes. The series of images that appear in the poem are closely linked to each other.
About the author
He Zhizhang (ca. 659-ca. 744), also known as Jizhen, nicknamed himself Siming Kuangke, was a native of Yongxing, Yuezhou (now Xiaoshan District, Hangzhou City, Zhejiang Province). . He was certified as a holy scholar and promoted to secretary-supervisor. Later he returned to his hometown and became a Taoist priest. He likes drinking and is friendly with Li Bai. One of the "Four Scholars of Wuzhong". There are many poems dedicated to gods, movements and works made according to the needs; the works describing scenes and expressing emotions are relatively fresh and popular. "Complete Poems of the Tang Dynasty" contains one volume of his poems.