1. "Yu Gezi" by Zhang Zhihe of the Tang Dynasty
Excerpts from the original text:
In front of Xisai Mountain, egrets fly, and peach blossoms and flowing water make mandarin fish fat.
Green bamboo hats, green coir raincoats, slanting wind and drizzle do not need to return.
Interpretation:
The egrets are flying freely in front of Xisai Mountain, the plump mandarin fish are swimming happily in the river, and the peach blossoms floating in the water are so bright and full. The fisherman wore a green bamboo hat on his head and a green raincoat, braving the slanting wind and drizzle.
2. "Quatrains" by Du Fu of the Tang Dynasty
Excerpts from the original text:
Two orioles sing in the green willows, and a row of egrets ascends to the blue sky.
The window contains Qianqiu snow of Xiling, and the door is docked with a ship thousands of miles away from Dongwu.
Interpretation:
Two orioles sang gracefully among the green willow trees, and a neat group of egrets rushed straight into the blue sky. Sitting in front of the window, I can see the snow that never melts all year round on the west ridge, and the ships from Soochow, thousands of miles away, are moored in front of the door.
3. "Egret" by Liu Yuxi of the Tang Dynasty
Excerpts from the original text:
Egret is the most elegant.
The new sweater is no match for the snow, and the birds are noisy and silent.
The grasses sleep alone, and the gurgling stones stand for a long time.
The front mountain is cloudless, flying away into the distant blue.
Interpretation:
Egret has the noblest character. The newly grown white feathers are not as good as the snow. Many birds are shouting loudly, but it stares alone and silently. It sleeps alone among the lush wild grass in the desert, standing on the stone in the gurgling spring water for a long time. When the smoke and clouds from the front mountain dissipated, it spread its wings and flew quickly across the vast blue sky.
4. "Egret" by Bai Juyi of the Tang Dynasty
Excerpt from the original text:
Why are there two egrets by the water, with silk hanging from their heads without worry.
Interpretation:
Why do the two egrets by the water not have to worry about growing old?
5. "Egret" by Li Bai of the Tang Dynasty
Excerpt from the original text:
The egret flies under the autumn water, flying alone like falling frost.
Interpretation:
The egret flies into the autumn water, flying alone like falling white frost.