梅花
Plum Blossoms
Original
墙角数枝梅，
凌寒独自开。
遥知不是雪，
为有暗香来。
Translation
A few plum branches by the wall stand,
Blooming alone amid the frigid air.
From afar I know it’s not snow on the ground,
For a faint sweet scent drifts gently around.
Line by Line Analysis
About This Poem
The full English translation reads: 'A few plum branches by the wall stand, / Blooming alone amid the frigid air. / From afar I know it’s not snow on the ground, / For a faint sweet scent drifts gently around.' Composed during Wang Anshi’s retirement in Jiangning after his failed political reforms, this short lyric is a classic of Chinese object-chanting poetry. It paints a vivid image of plum blossoms thriving in bitter cold, creating a serene yet resolute atmosphere. The poem centers on unyielding integrity: the plum’s refusal to bow to winter’s harshness mirrors the poet’s determination to stick to his ideals despite political setbacks and isolation. The subtle, pervasive fragrance highlights the quiet nobility of both the flower and the poet himself.
About the Poet
王安石
Wáng Ānshí
Wang Anshi (1021-1086) was a prominent statesman, reformer and litterateur of the Northern Song Dynasty, one of the Eight Great Prose Masters of the Tang and Song Dynasties. His political reforms aimed to revitalize the declining Song Dynasty, though they met fierce opposition. In poetry, he was known for his concise, forceful style, blending social criticism with lyrical expressions, often using objects to convey his lofty aspirations.
Cultural & Historical Context
1. Historical Background: In the mid-Northern Song Dynasty (960-1127), the court grappled with fiscal deficits and military vulnerabilities, spurring Wang Anshi’s radical reforms which were ultimately halted, leading to his voluntary retirement. 2. Cultural Background: Plum blossoms are one of the 'Four Gentlemen' (plum, orchid, bamboo, chrysanthemum) in traditional Chinese culture, symbolizing purity, resilience and moral integrity, and have long been revered by literati as an embodiment of their own noble character. 3. Social Background: Wang’s reforms faced vehement resistance from conservative officials, leaving him politically isolated in his later years, with many former allies distancing themselves from him. 4. Personal Experience: After resigning as prime minister twice, Wang settled in Jiangning (modern Nanjing), leading a tranquil life but never abandoning his core political beliefs. 5. Creative Purpose & Artistic Features: Wang wrote this poem to metaphorize his unwavering integrity. Using simple, vivid language, it avoids elaborate descriptions; instead, it contrasts the plum with snow and emphasizes the faint, invisible fragrance to convey profound meaning, seamlessly blending object depiction with personal emotional aspiration.