望(wànɡ)庐(lú)山(shān)瀑(pù)布(bù)

李(lǐ)白(bái)〔唐(tánɡ)代(dài)〕

日(rì)照(zhào)香(xiānɡ)炉(lú)生(shēnɡ)紫(zǐ)烟(yān)，

遥(yáo)看(kàn)瀑(pù)布(bù)挂(ɡuà)前(qián)川(chuān)。

飞(fēi)流(liú)直(zhí)下(xià)三(sān)千(qiān)尺(chǐ)，

疑(yí)是(shì)银(yín)河(hé)落(luò)九(jiǔ)天(tiān)。

Explanation of Ancient Chinese Poetry

Under the sunlight, Mount Xianglu is shrouded in purple mist and smoke. From afar, the waterfall hangs like white silk in front of the mountain. The waterfall cascading down from the high cliff seems to be thousands of feet tall, making people suspect that it’s the Milky Way falling from the heavens to earth.

Annotations

  • 香炉 (Xiānglú): Refers to Mount Xianglu.
  • 紫烟 (Zǐyān): Refers to sunlight passing through the clouds, appearing like purple mist from afar.
  • 遥看 (Yáokàn): To look from afar.
  • 挂 (Guà): To hang.
  • 前川 (Qiánchuān): Alternatively “Changchuān”.
  • 川 (Chuān): River, here referring to the waterfall.
  • 直 (Zhí): Straight.
  • 三千尺 (Sānqiān chǐ): Describes the height of the mountain. It is an exaggerated statement, not a literal one.
  • 疑 (Yí): To suspect.
  • 银河 (Yínhé): Ancient people referred to the Milky Way as a belt-like star cluster.
  • 九天 (Jiǔtiān): The highest part of the sky, describing something extremely high.

Creation Backgrounds

This poem is generally believed to have been written by Li Bai during his first visit to Mount Lu on his way to Jinling around the year 725, the thirteenth year of Emperor Tang玄宗’s Kaiyuan reign.