English Rendering
The new year's come, but still the plants don't grow,
First in March I'm startled by grass shoots.
The white snow thinks the colours of spring are late,
So through the pavilion and trees it flies like blossom.
Snow in Spring
Poetry of Han Yu
《春雪》
Original Text (中文原文)
新年都未有芳华，二月初惊见草芽。
白雪却嫌春色晚，故穿庭树作飞花。
Meaning & Analysis
This poem was composed during the Tang Dynasty and is a lyrical piece that uses scenery to express emotion. Through the depiction of a snowy scene in early spring, the poet conveys his longing for and delight in the arrival of spring. The poem employs personification, imbuing the snow with life and a sense of romanticism, reflecting the poet's optimistic and open-hearted spirit.
Related Themes
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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