晓(xiǎo)出(chū)净(jìnɡ)慈(cí)寺(sì)送(sònɡ)林(lín)子(zǐ)方(fānɡ)

杨(yánɡ)万(wàn)里(lǐ)〔宋(sònɡ)代(dài)〕

毕(bì)竟(jìnɡ)西(xī)湖(hú)六(liù)月(yuè)中(zhōnɡ)，

风(fēnɡ)光(ɡuānɡ)不(bù)与(yǔ)四(sì)时(shí)同(tónɡ)。

接(jiē)天(tiān)莲(lián)叶(yè)无(wú)穷(qiónɡ)碧(bì)，

映(yìnɡ)日(rì)荷(hé)花(huā)别(bié)样(yànɡ)红(hónɡ)。

Explanation of Ancient Chinese Poetry

Indeed, the scenery in June at West Lake is quite different from that of other seasons. The dense lotus leaves spread out, covering an endless expanse of verdant green, as if connecting with the sky. The lotus flowers under the sunshine are particularly bright and red.

Annotations

  • 晓 (Xiǎo): When the sun just rises.
  •  净慈寺 (Jìngcí sì): Full name “Jìngcí Bàoyēn Guǎngxiào Chánsì”, one of the two famous Buddhist temples in the south and north of West Lake in Hangzhou, along with Lingyin Temple.
  •  林子方 (Línzǐfāng): A friend of the poet, holding the position of Zhégé Mìshū.
  •  毕竟 (Bìjìng): After all.
  •  六月中 (Liùyuè zhōng): In June.
  •  四时 (Sìshí): The four seasons of spring, summer, autumn, and winter. Here referring to seasons other than June.
  •  同 (Tóng): The same.
  •  接天 (Jiētiān): Like connecting with the sky.
  •  无穷 (Wúqióng): Unbounded or infinite. Wúqióng bì: Because the lotus leaves cover a vast area, seeming to connect with the sky, they appear infinitely green.
  •  映日 (Yìngrì): Reflected by the sun.
  •  别样 (Biéyàng): In Song Dynasty slang, special or unique.
  •  别样红 (Biéyàng hóng): Exceptionally red.

Creation Backgrounds

Lin Zifang and the poet shared the same ideals and regarded each other as close friends. Later, Lin Zifang was transferred from the emperor’s side to serve as the prefect of Fuzhou. Lin Zifang was delighted, thinking it was a promotion.

However, Yang Wanli did not see it that way. When bidding farewell to Lin Zifang as he departed for Fuzhou, Yang Wanli wrote this poem to advise him against going to Fuzhou.