Wang Anshi's Plum Blossom Poetry

Plum blossom is a five-character quatrain written by Wang Anshi, a poet in the Northern Song Dynasty. The original text of this poem is as follows:

There are some plums in the corner, and cold ling opens them alone.

I knew from a distance that it wasn't snow, because there was a smell coming.

Interpretation of vernacular Chinese: Several plum blossoms in that corner bloom alone in the cold wind. Why do you know from a distance that Bai Meihua is not snow? Because there is a faint plum blossom fragrance.

Extended data

Creative background: In the first year of Xining, Song Shenzong (1068), Wang Anshi's new idea of political reform was overthrown, he resigned twice, was re-appointed twice and gave up political reform. After nine years in Xining (1076), he was discouraged after being stopped again, gave up political reform and retreated to Zhongshan. At this time, the author's lonely mentality and difficult situation have the same effect as the frosty plum blossom, so he wrote this poem.

"There are many plums in the corner" and "corner" are inconspicuous, not easy to be known and not appreciated, but they don't care. The "corner" environment highlights the humble and lonely forms of several plums. It embodies the poet's attitude of sticking to his own opinions despite the harsh environment.

"Cold ling drives alone" and "one person" have strong meanings, and they are not afraid of others' eyes, and they still stand up in harsh environments. Reflect the poet's belief in self-persistence.

"Far knowledge is not snow", and "far knowledge" refers to the fragrance floating from a distance, which is faint and not obvious. The poet has a keen sense of smell, unique vision and is good at discovering. "Not snow", not plum blossoms, but the whiteness of plum blossoms can be seen. It means it looks pure and white from a distance, but you know it's not snow, it's plum blossoms. Poetic twists and turns are implicit and intriguing. A faint fragrance, a delicate fragrance.

"Because there is a faint scent", "faint scent" refers to the scent of plum blossoms, which personifies people, and cold ling is alone and noble in character; The faint fragrance is a symbol of its brilliance.

In the first two sentences, the plum blossom in the corner is not afraid of the cold, but proudly independent. In the last two sentences, the plum blossom is brightly white and fragrant, which praises the demeanor and character of the plum blossom and is a portrayal of the poet's cold and stubborn character.

The poet described the purity and beauty of plum blossom with snow by appreciating its noble character of not being afraid of cold, and pointed out that plum blossom has a "dark fragrance" more than snow, which shows the great charm of a strong and noble personality.

In the extremely complicated and difficult situation of the Northern Song Dynasty, the author actively reformed, but failed to get support. His lonely mentality and difficult situation naturally have something in common with Meihua. This little poem has profound implications, and the sentences are simple and natural, without any traces of carving.