English Rendering
White pebbles hear a blue stream glide;
Red leaves are strewn on cold hillside.
Along the path no rain is seen,
My gown is moist with drizzling green.
In the Hills
- Poetry of Wang Wei
《山中》Original Text (中文原文)
荆溪白石出，天寒红叶稀。
山路元无雨，空翠湿人衣。
Analysis & Context
Wang Wei achieved remarkable mastery in both landscape painting and poetry, often merging natural scenery with his inner emotions to depict an isolated yet serene mountain life. This poem captures the mountain landscape in early winter through keen observation and profound insight, portraying a tranquil, fresh, and vibrant scene.
Reader's Companion
The Essence of the Verse
Classical Chinese poetry thrives on Concision and Ambiguity. Without tense or number, the words create a timeless space where the reader becomes the co-creator of the poem's meaning.
Reading Between the Lines
Look for Contrasts: light and shadow, movement and stillness. Don't just translate the words; feel the Yijing (artistic conception) that lingers long after the last character.
- Deer Enclosure
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- The Lake Qi
- The Pepper Garden
- Mengcheng Mound
- The Summit Temple
- <Prelude to Water Melody> Sent to Ziyou on Mid-autumn Festival
- Invitation to Wine
- Question and Answer in the Mountains
- Cold sheet
- Coming Home ( Returning Home )
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