寒食
On the Cold Feast Day
Original
春城无处不飞花，
寒食东风御柳斜。
日暮汉宫传蜡烛，
轻烟散入五侯家。
Translation
Over the spring capital, blossom petals drift everywhere,
The east wind sways imperial willows on Cold Feast Day.
As dusk falls, candles are delivered to the Han-style palace,
Light smoke drifts into the mansions of the five great nobles.
Line by Line Analysis
About This Poem
Han Hong’s "On the Cold Feast Day" paints a vivid portrait of the Tang Dynasty’s Cold Food Festival, a traditional holiday where fire was universally forbidden to honor the ancient loyal official Jie Zitui. The poem opens with a lush spring scene: the entire capital city is filled with falling blossom petals, and the east wind gently sways the willow trees lining the imperial palace. As evening approaches, the poem reveals a stark contrast: while commoners abide by the no-fire rule, candles—an illegal luxury on this day—are distributed to the mansions of powerful noble families. Through this subtle contrast, Han Hong critiques the unequal power dynamics and privileged indulgence of the ruling class, blending lyrical beauty with quiet, incisive social satire.
About the Poet
韩翃
Hán Hóng
Han Hong (c. 719–788), a distinguished poet of the Tang Dynasty, was among the celebrated "Ten Talents of the Dali Period". Renowned for his refined and lyrical style, he specialized in capturing seasonal nuances and courtly scenes with subtle elegance. Though he held minor official positions throughout his career, his literary works, which often weave gentle social commentary into vivid imagery, secured his place as a representative figure of mid-Tang poetry.
Cultural & Historical Context
1. Historical Background: The Cold Food Festival traces its roots to the Spring and Autumn Period (770–476 BCE), honoring Jie Zitui, a loyal minister who perished in a mountain fire after refusing his lord’s rewards. By the Tang Dynasty, it evolved into a national three-day holiday with strict prohibitions on lighting fire. 2. Cultural Background: The festival was a key seasonal transition event, with customs like hanging willow branches on doors and consuming cold meals. It directly preceded the Qingming Festival, merging mourning traditions with spring celebrations. 3. Social Background: Mid-Tang society saw a decline in imperial authority, with eunuchs and aristocratic clans dominating politics. The "five nobles" in the poem allude to these powerful groups, drawing parallels to the corrupt Eastern Han noble clans to critique contemporary inequality. 4. Personal Experience: Han Hong held low-ranking official posts for decades, witnessing the gap between ordinary people’s adherence to traditions and the elite’s disregard for rules. This firsthand observation informed his subtle social critique. 5. Artistic Features: The poem uses vivid sensory imagery to establish a festive atmosphere, then employs dramatic contrast and historical allusion to deliver implicit satire. Its understated tone amplifies the critique, making it a masterclass in blending lyrical beauty with political commentary.