饮湖上初晴后雨
Drinking by the West Lake on a Fine Morning Followed by Rain
Original
水光潋滟晴方好，
山色空蒙雨亦奇。
欲把西湖比西子，
淡妆浓抹总相宜。
Translation
On a sunny day, the lake shimmers with rippling, sparkling light;
When rain falls, mist-cloaked hills take on a strangely lovely sight;
I would compare the West Lake to Xi Shi, the ancient beauty fair;
She looks perfect in light or heavy makeup, always beyond compare.
Line by Line Analysis
About This Poem
This poem is a heartfelt tribute to the West Lake's ever-changing allure, composed when Su Shi served as Assistant Magistrate of Hangzhou. On a day that shifted from bright sunshine to gentle drizzle, the poet was enchanted by the lake's dual charms: under clear skies, its waters glow with shimmering ripples; in rain, the surrounding hills are veiled in soft mist, exuding a subtle, otherworldly wonder. By equating the lake to Xi Shi, a legendary Chinese beauty, Su Shi elevates the natural landscape to a timeless figure, emphasizing that true beauty transcends specific conditions and remains flawless in every form, reflecting his deep affection for nature and keen aesthetic insight.
About the Poet
苏轼
Sū Shì
Su Shi (1037–1101), also known as Su Dongpo, was a prominent literary figure of the Northern Song Dynasty in China. A member of the 'Eight Great Prose Masters of the Tang and Song Dynasties', he excelled in poetry, prose, calligraphy, and painting. His poetry blends bold, unconstrained expressions with delicate, vivid depictions, reflecting his optimistic attitude toward life despite frequent political setbacks, leaving a profound impact on Chinese literature and art.
Cultural & Historical Context
Culturally and historically, this poem originated in the Northern Song Dynasty (960–1127), an era of flourishing literature where Hangzhou emerged as a prosperous cultural hub, with the West Lake already a revered scenic icon. In Chinese culture, the West Lake symbolizes refined natural elegance, while Xi Shi, one of the 'Four Great Beauties of Ancient China', represents timeless grace, making the metaphor deeply resonant. Socially, Northern Song literati valued landscape appreciation as a core intellectual pursuit, turning scenic outings into poetic inspiration. Personally, Su Shi was exiled from the capital due to political disputes and found solace in Hangzhou’s landscapes, often wandering the West Lake. His purpose was to immortalize the lake’s versatile charm; artistically, he uses contrasting sunny and rainy depictions to showcase its adaptability, and the human-to-nature analogy creates a vivid, concise work that blends natural observation with cultural allusion, celebrating the harmony of nature’s variations.