English Rendering
She played the role of a man bending his bow,
But she dreamed of penciling her eyebrow.
How many times, homesick, wine cup in hand,
Would she bless the princess of her homeland?
Temple of the Heroine
- Poetry of Du Mu
《题木兰庙》
Original Text (中文原文)
弯弓征战作男儿，梦里曾经与画眉。
几度思归还把酒，拂云堆上祝明妃。
Analysis & Context
This poem was written by Du Mu while visiting Mulan Mountain, combining historical legends with personal emotional reflections. Mulan Mountain is linked with the folk tale of Mulan, and Du Mu uses this backdrop to express his admiration for Mulan's heroism as well as her feminine tenderness.
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.
- Lament for Spring II
- At Chan-zhì Temple, Yangzhou
- The Spring Palace II
- The Spring Palace I
- Temple of the Heroine
- On the Black River Pavilion
- 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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