咏(yǒnɡ)柳(liǔ)

贺(hè)知(zhī)章(zhānɡ)〔唐(tánɡ)代(dài)〕

碧(bì)玉(yù)妆(zhuānɡ)成(chénɡ)一(yì)树(shù)高(ɡāo)，

万(wàn)条(tiáo)垂(chuí)下(xià)绿(lǜ)丝(sī)绦(tāo)。

不(bù)知(zhī)细(xì)叶(yè)谁(shuí)裁(cái)出(chū)，

二(èr)月(yuè)春(chūn)风(fēnɡ)似(sì)剪(jiǎn)刀(dāo)。

Explanation of Ancient Chinese Poetry

The tall willow trees are covered with tender green new leaves, and the drooping branches resemble thousands of gently fluttering green ribbons. Who knows who cut out these thin willow leaves? It was the spring breeze in February, which is like a magical scissors.

Annotations

  •  碧玉 (Bìyù): Jade with a greenish hue. Here used to metaphorize the tender green leaves of willows in spring.
  •  妆 (Zhuāng): To decorate or adorn.
  •  一树 (Yìshù): A full tree. Yī means full or entire. In classical Chinese poetry and articles, quantity words do not necessarily indicate exact quantities. The next “Wàn” means many.
  •  绿丝绦 (Lǜsītāo): Green silk ribbon. Describes the soft and graceful branches of willows. Tāo means a rope or ribbon made of silk. Here refers to the silk-like branches of willows.
  •  裁 (Cái): To cut or tailor.
  •  似 (Sì): Like or as if.

Creation Backgrounds

In the third year of Emperor Tang玄宗’s Tianbao reign (744), He Zhizhang was ordered to retire and return to his hometown. Officials bid him farewell as he traveled by boat through Nanjing and Hangzhou, along the Xiaoshao Canal, to the county town of Xiaoshan.

Officials from Yuezhou welcomed him at the post station before he continued by boat to his old residence beside Panshui River in the south gate. It was early spring in February, and He Zhizhang felt extremely happy to return to his hometown like a bird released from a cage, prompting him to write this poem.