English Rendering
Waiting for autumn to come, eighth of the ninth month,
Once my flowers bloom, hundred flowers perishes.
Bursts of fragrance soars the skies as it penetrates Chang’an,
The entire city coated in golden armoury.
Composing Chrysanthemum After Failing The Imperial Examination
- Poetry of Huang Chao
《不第后赋菊》
Original Text (中文原文)
待到秋来九月八，我花开后百花杀。
冲天香阵透长安，满城尽带黄金甲。
Analysis & Context
The eighth of the ninth month is a day before the nine-nine festival or Chongyang Festival, where there is the custom to climb mountains and admire chrysanthemum flowers which blooms in the autumn season.
During this season, particularly the season of the nine-nine festival, chrysanthemums are seen everywhere, golden armoury refers to the colour of the flower. Chrysanthemums holds great symbolism in Chinese culture, particularly in arts [additional note: it represents autumn amongst the Four Noble Ones], as it is able to rise amongst the howling winds and stands strong whilst other flowers falls, it holds such valiant and heroic image, and also portrays the poet’s heroism in waiting for an opportunity to change the world. Similarly, when the rebel army enters Chang’an dressed in battle armoury, sparkling gold under the sun, is this not heroic spirit soaring the skies?
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.
- 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 )
The Masters' Directory
Journey through the dynasties. Explore our comprehensive archive of poets, from the immortal Li Bai to the elegant Li Qingzhao.
View All Poets →