A View of Taishan
- Poetry of Du Fu

《望岳》

English Rendering

What shall I say of the Great Peak? --

The ancient dukedoms are everywhere green,

Inspired and stirred by the breath of creation,

With the Twin Forces balancing day and night.

...I bare my breast toward opening clouds,

I strain my sight after birds flying home.

When shall I reach the top and hold All mountains in a single glance?

A View of Taishan by Du Fu
A View of Taishan by Du Fu

Original Text (中文原文)

岱宗夫如何?齐鲁青未了。

造化钟神秀,阴阳割昏晓。

荡胸生曾云,决眦入归鸟。

会当凌绝顶,一览众山小。

Analysis & Context

Five-character-ancient-verse

The whole poem is unified by the word “look” in the title of the poem, and every line is about looking at the mountain, but there is not a single word “look” in the whole poem, and it gives people a sense of being in the place, which shows that the poet’s layout and artistic conception are exquisite and fantastic.

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.

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