English Rendering
In sunshine, Censer Peak breathes purple mist.
A jutting stream, the cataract hangs in spray
Far off, then plunges down three thousand feet -
As if the sky had dropped the Milky Way.
The Waterfall at Lu Shan
- Poetry of Li Bai (Li Po)
《望庐山瀑布》#Mountain #Waterfall
Original Text (中文原文)
日照香炉生紫烟，遥看瀑布挂前川。
飞流直下三千尺，疑是银河落九天。
Analysis & Context
Composed in 753 AD during Li Bai's visit to Mount Lu, this poem captures the magnificent waterfall that has made the mountain famous. Facing this spectacular natural wonder, the poet's emotions surge, and with grand momentum and extraordinary imagination, he portrays the scene as dreamlike and fantastical, full of romanticism. The poem is not only a tribute to Mount Lu's waterfall but also a perfect demonstration of Li Bai's bold and unrestrained poetic style.
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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