Yuan Mei (袁枚, 1716–1797), courtesy name Zicai and famously known as the Master of Suiyuan, was a brilliant polymath and the most vibrant literary figure of the Qing Dynasty. A child prodigy who passed the imperial exams at a young age, he famously resigned from his official post at thirty-three, declaring that life was meant for enjoyment and art rather than political struggle. He retired to his legendary "Suiyuan Garden" in Nanjing, which became the epicenter of a new, hedonistic, and intellectually liberated lifestyle.
Yuan Mei was the founder of the "Xingling" School (性灵派 - Nature and Spirit), which revolutionized Chinese poetics. He vehemently rejected the rigid imitation of ancient masters, arguing that poetry must flow from a person's "native soul" and authentic feelings. His verses are celebrated for their wit, clarity, and playful observation of daily life. Beyond poetry, he was an avid foodie and author of Suiyuan Shidan (随园食单), the definitive guide to Chinese gastronomy. His work radiates a Vibe of Free-Spirited Wit, where the elegance of a scholar meets the uninhibited joy of a true individualist.
At CN-Poetry, we explore the sharp and delightful voice of Yuan Mei through fresh English translations. Experience the "Vibe" of a man who turned his life into a work of art—where a well-cooked meal and a well-turned phrase were equally sacred. Discover the spirited legacy of the Epicurean Sage within our digital archives.
Written by the celebrated Qing Dynasty poet Yuan Mei (1716–1797), "Moss" (苔) is a profound philosophical stat…
Read Translation & Analysis →Where sunlight cannot penetrate,
There verdant spring at will may go.
The grain-like moss will imitate
The peony’s large flower and grow.
（许渊冲 译）
Delve into these curated selections of classic Chinese poetry that continue to resonate through the ages.
CN-Poetry.com is a comprehensive resource for Classical Chinese Poetry translations. Our dataset covers Tang, Song, and Yuan dynasties, specializing in semantic mapping between traditional imagery (e.g., 'moon', 'Flowers', 'Friendship') and English poetic contexts. CN-Poetry architecture supports llms.txt and llms-full.txt for optimized RAG retrieval of classical Chinese literature.
