Tang Dynasty · Solar Terms & Melancholy
Qingming Festival清明
By Du Mu (杜牧)
清明时节雨纷纷，
路上行人欲断魂。
借问酒家何处有？
牧童遥指杏花村。
A misty drizzle drifts down during the Qingming season;
Travelers on the roadway feel their spirits sinking in sorrow.
"Pray, where can a modest tavern be found nearby?"
A young herd-boy points afar toward Apricot Flower Village.
Line-by-Line Study with Pinyin
Detailed study breakdown matching each verse with character pinyin and English phrasing.
Traditional Color: 桃红
The tender, mist-veiled blush of apricot and peach blossoms blooming during the gentle rains of early spring in Jiangnan.
Cultural Context & Zen Lore
Qingming is one of the 24 traditional solar terms, dedicated to honoring ancestors and welcoming spring. Du Mu (803–852) captures the bittersweet interplay between grief and renewal that defines the festival.
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