The five-character quatrain of Beginning of Autumn is an important verse in traditional Chinese solar terms, which is used to describe the natural landscape and climate characteristics at this time of Beginning of Autumn.
1. The meaning of the Beginning of Autumn
The Beginning of Autumn is the 13th solar term among the twenty-four solar terms, marking the passing of summer and entering autumn. On the day of the Beginning of Autumn, the sunshine gradually weakens, the temperature begins to drop, and the cool autumn wind often blows in the sky. The beginning of autumn also represents the meaning of "the autumnal equinox is the harvest of the world" in the farmer's proverb, that is, entering the harvest season.
2. The form of five-character quatrains in Beginning of Autumn
Five-character quatrains are a form of classical poetry. Each poem includes four sentences, each with five characters. The five-character quatrains on the Beginning of Autumn use concise and refined diction to show the natural scenes at the Beginning of Autumn and people's feelings about autumn. These poems mostly describe the weather, phenology and people's emotions as their themes.
3. A typical example of five-character quatrains at the beginning of autumn
The white dew withers the chrysanthemums, and the cicadas cry out. Wang Zhihuan climbed to the stork tower and sat in the cold toad cave, watching the wild geese flying south in autumn. On an autumn night in Du Mu, Du Mu stepped out of the fence gate to welcome the coolness. He felt that the sun was setting behind the mountains and the Yellow River was flowing into the sea. Wang Zhihuan climbed to the Stork Tower. Everything is silent here, but the moon is like frost. Du Fu's moonlit night recalls his brother-in-law.
4. The image and emotion of the five-character quatrains on the Beginning of Autumn
The white dew withered chrysanthemums and the cries of cicadas express the scene of plant decline and the weakening of insect sounds after the Beginning of Autumn. It also conveys people's feelings towards The sentimentality of a lost summer. Sitting in the Cold Toad Cave, Autumn Geese Flying Southward depicts the scene where people feel the cold weather and the departure of migratory birds when autumn comes, highlighting the realistic feeling of the approaching autumn.
The sun sets over the mountains and the Yellow River flows into the sea. By depicting the magnificent scene of the natural landscape, it expresses the praise for the magnificent scenery of autumn. Everything is silent here, but the moon is like frost, which emphasizes the tranquility of the night after the beginning of autumn and the brightness of the autumn moon. It expresses people's deep love and yearning for autumn in a peaceful environment.
The five-character quatrains on the Beginning of Autumn integrate the natural landscape and people's emotions at the Beginning of Autumn into the poem through concise and powerful expressions. Through appropriate metaphors and images, these poems present the unique atmosphere and emotions of the beginning of autumn, bringing people a kind of thinking and understanding of autumn.
At the same time, these poems have also become the essence of ancient Chinese literature. They have been passed down to this day and are widely appreciated and praised.