Chinese Culture Blog

Discover the rich origins, history, and enduring legacy of the Lin (林) surname.

Discover the rich origins, history, and enduring legacy of the Chen (陈) surname.

Discover the rich origins, history, and enduring legacy of the Li (李) surname.

Discover the rich origins, history, and enduring legacy of the Huang (黄) surname, tracing its roots and its impact on culture and heritage.

卜算子·我住长江头 李之仪 （1048 — 1127） 我住长江头，君住长江尾。 日日思君不见君，共饮长江水。 此水几时休，此恨何时已。 只愿君心似我心，定不负相思意。 Song of Divination: I Live at River-source Li Zhiyi (1048 – 1127) I live at river-source; you live at river-mouth. Day after day I think on you but see you not, though we drink from the same river. When will the river stop; when will my pining cease? I would that your heart be as my heart; then my longing thoughts will not be in vain.

望岳 杜甫 （712 — 770） 岱宗夫如何？齐鲁青未了。 造化钟神秀，阴阳割昏晓。 荡胸生曾云，决眦入归鸟。 会当凌绝顶，一览众山小。 Gazing at Mount Dai Du Fu (712 – 770) Whatever is this Elder Dai?   Qi and Lu sides | ceaseless verdant terrain. Creation tolls of wondrous works;  Yin and Yang faces | cleave dusk and dawn twain. Clouds passed ere spirit cleansed;  returning birds engulf corner ken. Ascend until at utmost peak; glance upon yon mountains meek. Note: Elder Dai here refers to Mount Tai in Tai'an city, Shandong Province.

使至塞上 王维 （699 — 761） 单车欲问边，属国过居延。 征蓬出汉塞，归雁入胡天。 大漠孤烟直，长河落日圆。 萧关逢候骑，都护在燕然。 An Official Reaches the Frontier Fortress Wang Wei (699 – 761) A carriage en route to appraise the front | The vassal kingdom extends past Juyan As tumbleweed I leave the Han fortress | Like returning geese I enter nomad skies In vast desert a lonely smoke pillar | O’er long river a round setting sun At Windswept Pass I meet scout cavalry | Their commander is yon in Yanran

江南春 杜牧 （803 — 852） 千里莺啼绿映红， 水村山郭酒旗风。 南朝四百八十寺， 多少楼台烟雨中。 Spring South of the Yangtze River Du Mu (803 – 852) Warblers chirp for miles around, greenery accentuates red blossoms; waterside village rests against mountain, and tavern flags fly. Of the four hundred eighty monasteries of the Southern Dynasties, how many structures yet stand in rain misting by? Click to Read Southern Dynasties (420 – 589) and Yangtze River

鹊桥仙·纤云弄巧 秦观 （1049 — 1100） 纤云弄巧，飞星传恨，银汉迢迢暗度。 金风玉露一相逢，便胜却人间无数。 柔情似水，佳期如梦，忍顾鹊桥归路。 两情若是久长时，又岂在朝朝暮暮。 Deities on Magpie Bridge: Wispy Cloud Adeptly Plays Qin Guan (1049 – 1100) Wispy cloud adeptly plays, shooting star regret conveys; The distant, distant milky way doth quietly float past. A golden breeze, a jadelike dew, a single yearly date; all common lovers’ counterparts assuredly surpassed. Tender love akin to water, hours sweet as dreams; ‘tis suffering to turn around and home

月下独酌·其一 李白 （701 — 762） 花间一壶酒，独酌无相亲。 举杯邀明月，对影成三人。 月既不解饮，影徒随我身。 暂伴月将影，行乐须及春。 我歌月徘徊，我舞影零乱。 醒时同交欢，醉后各分散。 永结无情游，相期邈云汉。 A Drinking Party for One under the Moon Li Bai (701 – 762) Amid the flowers, a jug of wine; a drinking party for one, no friends around. A raised glass inviting the bright moon; a cast shadow making us three. The moon does not understand drinking; the shadow merely follows my self. With present companions moon and shadow, I ought to make merry of spring! I sing an