Zhou Dunyi of the Song Dynasty liked lotus the most and believed that lotus was the gentleman among flowers. Created "Ai Lian Shuo".
Zhou Dunyi was the originator of the Song Dynasty's acting theory and a master of writing and calligraphy. Because of his unique love for the lotus, he left behind a concise, eloquent and passionate "Love of the Lotus".
Zhou Dunyi relied on the lotus to place his aspirations, and had a persistent persistence in truth and belief. He always maintained a unique and noble self in the noisy world. He was as clean and self-possessed as a lotus, not stained by dust, and showed himself to be a gentleman. style. As an official, he was "excellent in political affairs" and outstanding in his official career. He was especially "ambitious in the mountains and forests", had a free and easy mind, and had the spirit of immortality. Not only did he submit his resignation because he insisted on justice and was unwilling to agree with the powerful, but he also served as an official for many years, remained honest and diligent, and was deeply supported by the people.
Creative background
According to the records in "The Complete Book of Zhouzi" and "Chronology" written by Deng Xianhe of the Qing Dynasty: "In the eighth year of Guimao. On the seventh day of the first lunar month, Mr. Xianhe traveled to the county and invited Yuhang Qian Jianhou (tuo) and Shen Xiyan of Siming Dynasty inscribed on the stone and inscribed poems on it. In May, Shen Xiyan wrote "Ai Lian Shuo" and wrote five seals on the forehead. This is what happened on the 15th day. "Mr. forty-seven years, that is, the eighth year of Jiayou (1063).
"Ganzhou Fu Zhi" records Ailian Academy, saying: "Ailian Academy is in the north of the city. The site was originally the Superintendent Examination Academy, and there are ruins of Zhou Maoshu's Lotus Pond." There is also an entry for Ailian Pavilion: " Lianxi Academy used to be on the left side of Yuxu Temple in the Northeast..." These records fully prove that from the sixth year of Jiayou (1061) to the first year of Zhiping (1064) in the Northern Song Dynasty, when Zhou Dunyi was appointed as the general magistrate of Qianzhou, a lotus pond was built. In May of the eighth year of Jiayou's reign, he wrote "The Theory of Love and Lotus" here.