1. Yuan Day
Wang Anshi, Song Dynasty
The sound of firecrackers marks the end of the year, and the spring breeze brings warmth to Tusu.
Thousands of households always exchange old talismans for new peaches.
Translation:
Amidst the roaring sound of firecrackers, the old year has passed; the warm spring breeze brings the new year, and people happily drink the newly brewed Tusu wine. . The rising sun shines on thousands of households, and they are all busy taking down the old peach charms and replacing them with new ones.
2. Spring Hope
Du Fu Tang
The country is broken by mountains and rivers, and the city is full of spring vegetation.
I am moved to tears by the flowers, and the birds are frightened by the hatred.
The war rages on for three months, and a letter from home is worth ten thousand gold.
The white-headed scratches are shorter, and the lust is overwhelming.
Translation:
Chang'an fell, the country was shattered, and only the mountains and rivers remained; spring came, and the sparsely populated Chang'an city was lush with vegetation. Feeling sentimental about state affairs, I can't help but burst into tears, and the chirping of birds frightens my heart, which only adds to the sorrow and hatred of separation. The continuous war has continued until now. Letters from home are rare, and one letter is worth ten thousand taels of gold. Wrapped in sadness, I scratched my head and thought. My white hair became shorter and shorter, and I couldn't even insert the hairpin.
3. Bu Suanzi's Ode to Plum Blossoms
Mao Zedong's Modern Times
Wind and rain send spring home, and flying snow welcomes it.
The cliff is already covered with hundreds of feet of ice, but there are still beautiful flowers and branches.
Qiao doesn’t fight for spring, she only repays it.
When the mountain flowers were in full bloom, she smiled among the bushes.
Translation:
The ups and downs have sent spring away, but the flying snow in the sky has ushered in spring again. The cliff has been covered with hundreds of feet of sharp ice, but the plum blossoms are still blooming proudly and beautifully in the snow. Although the plum blossoms are beautiful, they do not compete with the peaches and plums in beauty. They just bring the news of spring. When the mountains and fields were filled with flowers, she was smiling among the flowers.