The Xiaoman Solstice, also known as the Winter Solstice, is a significant day in the Chinese lunar calendar, marking the shortest day and longest night of the year. It is a time for celebration, reflection, and the anticipation of the return of longer days. Throughout history, many ancient poems have been composed to celebrate this auspicious occasion. In this article, we will explore a selection of these ancient poems and present them in English translation, capturing the essence of the Xiaoman Solstice and its cultural significance.
1. “The Winter Solstice” by Du Mu
Original Poem (Chinese):
北风卷地白草折，胡天八月即飞雪。
忽如一夜春风来，千树万树梨花开。
散入珠帘湿罗幕，狐裘不暖锦衾薄。
将军角弓不得控，都护铁衣冷难着。
瀚海阑干百丈冰，愁云惨淡万里凝。
中军置酒饮归客，胡琴琵琶与羌笛。
纷纷暮雪下辕门，风掣红旗冻不翻。
轮台东门送君去，去时雪满天山路。
山回路转不见君，雪上空留马行处。
English Translation:
The north wind whirls and bends the white grass,
In the Tartar land, in August it snows.
Suddenly as if a spring breeze comes,
Thousand trees, ten thousand trees, the pear blossoms burst.
Dripping through the pearl curtains, wetting the silk canopy,
The fox fur coat is not warm, the brocade quilt is thin.
The general's bow cannot be drawn, the commander's iron armor is too cold to wear.
The boundless sea of sand is blocked by a hundred feet of ice,
Gloomy clouds, dark, stretch for miles and miles.
The middle army sets up a feast for the returning guests,
Horsehead fiddles, pipas, and羌 flutes.
Falling snow at dusk outside the camp,
The wind tears the red banner, yet it does not flutter.
At the eastern gate of Luntai, I send you off,
As you go, the snow blankets the mountain paths.
The path winds around, and I cannot see you,
Only the tracks of horses left on the snow.
2. “Winter Solstice Night” by Li Shangyin
Original Poem (Chinese):
中庭地白树栖鸦，冷露无声湿桂花。
今夜月明人尽望，不知秋思落谁家？
English Translation:
The courtyard is white, the trees roosting crows,
The cold dew silently wets the osmanthus flowers.
Tonight the moon is bright, everyone looks up,
But I wonder, whose family is it that feels the autumnal thoughts?
3. “Solstice Celebrations” by Li Qingzhao
Original Poem (Chinese):
梅雪争春未肯降，骚人阁笔费评章。
梅须逊雪三分白，雪却输梅一段香。
English Translation:
Plum blossoms vie with the snow for spring's honor, neither yields,
Poets pause their pens, at a loss for words to praise.
Plum blossoms may be three shades paler than the snow,
But the snow, in turn, loses to the plum its fragrance.
Conclusion
These translations offer a glimpse into the rich tapestry of Chinese poetry and the cultural significance of the Xiaoman Solstice. The winter solstice is not only a time for celebrating the return of light but also a season for introspection and the appreciation of nature’s beauty. Through these ancient poems, we can sense the warmth and depth of traditional Chinese values and their enduring relevance in our lives today.