CULTURE: The Plum Blossom in Song Dynasty Poetry

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Scrolling through social media, you might see pictures of cute cats. An interface between our personal and social lives, pet photos help us express ourselves while keeping a distance - an old trick! Just as we post pictures with cats, Song Dynasty scholars exchanged poems about the reclusive flowering plum.

By Ilina Tatiana

What are they like, 
Half blossoming, half fading, midst briars and thorns?
A lovely woman, desolate, among grasses and trees? 
A high-minded gentleman, thwarted, among brambles and weeds? 
- Wang Anshi (1021-1086)

To get some clues as to what poet Wang Anshi (1021-1086) is wondering about, we need to go back to the Southern Dynasties period, when poets first became attracted to plum blossoms. Then they are already not just a flower, as we see from a rhapsody by emperor-poet Xiao Gang (503-551) in which they almost turn into a palace lady, fearing for their falling petals just as the lady does for her passing beauty:

The spring wind blows plum petals - I fear they all will fall.
For this I, humble woman, knit my brows.
If flowers and beauties are alike,
We ever worry for fear of missing our time.
- Xiao Gang (503-551)

In contrast, scholar-poet Tao Qian (365-427) calmly admires the blossoms flanking the gate of his solitary abode.

Plums and willows were planted to flank my gate,
One branch now bears fine blossoms.
- Tao Qian (365-427)

Cup. Decorated with design of plum blossom spray and crescent moon. Southern Song dynasty (1127–1279). Repousse silver. Diameter: 9 cm. The British Museum. © The Trustees of the British Museum

To continue reading this fascinating article, click Read More at the bottom of the article to read the full article on our website!

Ms. Ilina Tatiana is an art lover and culture hunter.

Photo Credits

- Cultural Keys

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