[Mindless rambling 13]
It is interesting to note that the traditional interpretation of Chinese love poems is mostly not very romantic. Rather, the interpretation extend to areas like moral education, theory of management (Be it politics or business), attitude to life. The below are same iconic example. I will post the Chinese love poem (or Phrases from the poem) followed by an English translation... (Not by me obviously) and then the interpretation.
Example 1:
Chinese love Poem
关关雎鸠，在河之洲。窈窕淑女，君子好逑。
参差荇菜，左右流之。窈窕淑女，寤寐求之。
求之不得，寤寐思服。悠哉悠哉，辗转反侧。
参差荇菜，左右采之。窈窕淑女，琴瑟友之。
参差荇菜，左右毛之。窈窕淑女，钟鼓乐之。
English Translation
"Guan, guan!" go the fish hawks, on an islet in the river. The elegant virtuous maiden- the noble man would love to marry her.
The uneven water spinach-the water flows to the left and right. The elegant virtuous maiden- I will Seek her from day to night seek
Sought but cannot be gotten; Thinking of her day and night.Long, O long is the time; lying down you turn this way and that.
The uneven water spinach - pick it on the left and right. The elegant virtuous maiden- Befriending with the small and large zithers (Zither or string instruments are commonly used to symbolised harmony in a husband and wife relationship. Thus "befriending" is not a very accurate translation)
The uneven water spinach- pluck it on the left and right. The elegant virtuous maiden - gladden with the bell and drum.
Interpretation:
A women with pretty looks are common but Women with virtue are hard to come by. Thus, without the determination to endure long sleepless night seeking for them, wooing them, overcoming various test and obstacles, you won't be able to get what you want (Since they take pride in their virtue and will expect their counterparts to be of the same standards). The same applies for the business and politics, for they require talents to get things run. A talented man is easy to come by (Provide good Pays and benefits, they will come automatically. That's what the government says about pegging their pay with private sector isn't it?). Virtuous and talented men are however hard to come (Since they are more concern with the right cause rather than the right pay and benefits. they won't commit themselves easily as once they are committed, its loyalty to the bitter end. Thus they would want to spend time observing). Without determinate effort to search for them, to win their heart over, you won't get these talents. Furthermore, its important to note that one must still treat them with respect after successful courtship, like the last two verse of the poem describing harmonious marriage life.
Example 2:
Phrases
衣带渐宽终不悔 为伊消得人憔悴
English Translation:
Although my dress loosen gradually, I have no regret of getting more emaciated for you.
Interpretation:
Immediate stage when devoting time to a certain interest. One will relate to this feeling as we are willing to give ourselves up in an attempt to excel in it.
Example 3:
Phrases
众里寻他千百度，驀然回首，那人却在灯火阑珊处
English Translation
Having almost exhausted my energy searching for him/her , I suddenly turned my head, and there he/she is, standing at the far end of the street where the candlelight is the dimmest.
Interpretation:
The final stage when devoting time to a certain interest. As when we are dive deeper into the certain interest, we may lost our way - Perhaps being unable find the answer you want or forgot what we are seeking for. At the end of the journey, you will find that answer you are seeking for, is right there all along.
It is interesting to see the simplest things interpreted in different ways giving additional meaning that is fulfilling to life. It may seems funny for some, but I don't reject these "out of context" type of interpretation.
It is interesting to note that the traditional interpretation of Chinese love poems is mostly not very romantic. Rather, the interpretation extend to areas like moral education, theory of management (Be it politics or business), attitude to life. The below are same iconic example. I will post the Chinese love poem (or Phrases from the poem) followed by an English translation... (Not by me obviously) and then the interpretation.
Example 1:
Chinese love Poem
关关雎鸠，在河之洲。窈窕淑女，君子好逑。
参差荇菜，左右流之。窈窕淑女，寤寐求之。
求之不得，寤寐思服。悠哉悠哉，辗转反侧。
参差荇菜，左右采之。窈窕淑女，琴瑟友之。
参差荇菜，左右毛之。窈窕淑女，钟鼓乐之。
English Translation
"Guan, guan!" go the fish hawks, on an islet in the river. The elegant virtuous maiden- the noble man would love to marry her.
The uneven water spinach-the water flows to the left and right. The elegant virtuous maiden- I will Seek her from day to night seek
Sought but cannot be gotten; Thinking of her day and night.Long, O long is the time; lying down you turn this way and that.
The uneven water spinach - pick it on the left and right. The elegant virtuous maiden- Befriending with the small and large zithers (Zither or string instruments are commonly used to symbolised harmony in a husband and wife relationship. Thus "befriending" is not a very accurate translation)
The uneven water spinach- pluck it on the left and right. The elegant virtuous maiden - gladden with the bell and drum.
Interpretation:
A women with pretty looks are common but Women with virtue are hard to come by. Thus, without the determination to endure long sleepless night seeking for them, wooing them, overcoming various test and obstacles, you won't be able to get what you want (Since they take pride in their virtue and will expect their counterparts to be of the same standards). The same applies for the business and politics, for they require talents to get things run. A talented man is easy to come by (Provide good Pays and benefits, they will come automatically. That's what the government says about pegging their pay with private sector isn't it?). Virtuous and talented men are however hard to come (Since they are more concern with the right cause rather than the right pay and benefits. they won't commit themselves easily as once they are committed, its loyalty to the bitter end. Thus they would want to spend time observing). Without determinate effort to search for them, to win their heart over, you won't get these talents. Furthermore, its important to note that one must still treat them with respect after successful courtship, like the last two verse of the poem describing harmonious marriage life.
Example 2:
Phrases
衣带渐宽终不悔 为伊消得人憔悴
English Translation:
Although my dress loosen gradually, I have no regret of getting more emaciated for you.
Interpretation:
Immediate stage when devoting time to a certain interest. One will relate to this feeling as we are willing to give ourselves up in an attempt to excel in it.
Example 3:
Phrases
众里寻他千百度，驀然回首，那人却在灯火阑珊处
English Translation
Having almost exhausted my energy searching for him/her , I suddenly turned my head, and there he/she is, standing at the far end of the street where the candlelight is the dimmest.
Interpretation:
The final stage when devoting time to a certain interest. As when we are dive deeper into the certain interest, we may lost our way - Perhaps being unable find the answer you want or forgot what we are seeking for. At the end of the journey, you will find that answer you are seeking for, is right there all along.
It is interesting to see the simplest things interpreted in different ways giving additional meaning that is fulfilling to life. It may seems funny for some, but I don't reject these "out of context" type of interpretation.
沒有留言:
張貼留言