Tang Dynasty · Solitude & Resilience
River Snow江雪
By Liu Zongyuan (柳宗元)
千山鸟飞绝，
万径人踪灭。
孤舟蓑笠翁，
独钓寒江雪。
Across a thousand peaks, all flight of birds has ceased;
Along ten thousand paths, all human tracks are erased.
In an isolated skiff, an old man in straw cloak and hat,
Fishes alone upon the freezing river snow.
Line-by-Line Study with Pinyin
Detailed study breakdown matching each verse with character pinyin and English phrasing.
Traditional Color: 象牙黑
The deep, disciplined charcoal tone of authentic pine-soot ink applied to white xuan paper, conveying uncompromising purity against bitter cold.
Cultural Context & Zen Lore
Written while Liu Zongyuan (773–819) was exiled to distant Yongzhou following failed political reforms. The solitary fisherman is widely understood as an emblem of the poet's own incorruptible spirit and defiance against adversity.
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