Through the Dynasties · LH11

Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms

The Among the Flowers poets and the Southern Tang rulers: song lyrics grow from banquet tunes to lament

98works

4forms

9authors

Ci Lyrics

17 works

Pinnacle of lyric verse and musical poetry spanning delicate grace and heroic grandeur.

  1. Magpie on the Bough: Who Says Idle Longings Have Long Been Cast AwayFeng Yansi · Short LyricsWho says idle longings have long been cast away? Whenever spring arrives, melancholy returns as before. Daily before blossoms drinking myself sick, begrudging not my rosy cheeks wasting away in the mirror.
  2. Magpie on the Bough: Plum Petals Fall from Crowded Boughs in Ten Thousand FlakesFeng Yansi · Short LyricsPlum blossoms fall from crowded branches in thousands of flakes; still full of feeling, they mimic snow and whirl in the wind.
  3. Paying Homage at the Golden Gate: Sudden Breeze RisesFeng Yansi · Short LyricsA sudden breeze rises, wrinkling a whole pond of spring water. Idly teasing mandarin ducks along perfumed paths, fingers rubbing crimson apricot pistils.
  4. Lady of Longevity: Spring Day BanquetFeng Yansi · Short LyricsAt the spring day banquet, a cup of green wine and a song sung anew. Bowing twice to make three wishes: first, may my lord live a thousand years; second, may I forever stay in health; third, like swallows upon the roof-beams, may we meet year after year.
  5. Extended Silk-Washing Stream: Lotus Fragrance Fades, Emerald Leaves WitherLi Jing · Short LyricsLotus fragrance fades and emerald leaves wither; autumn winds stir sorrow between emerald ripples. Wasting away together with glorious spring light, too painful to behold.
  6. Extended Silk-Washing Stream: Rolling Pearl Curtains onto Jade HooksLi Jing · Short LyricsRolling up pearl blinds onto jade hooks, spring sorrow locks the tiered tower as before. Who is master of petals falling in the wind? My thoughts wander on and on.
  7. The Beautiful Lady Yu: When Will Spring Blossoms and Autumn Moons EndLi Yu · Short LyricsPray ask how much sorrow can one mortal bear? Just like a river of spring waters surging endlessly to the east.
  8. Joy of Meeting: In Silence I Ascend the West Tower AloneLi Yu · Short LyricsCut it, it severs not; untangle it, it tangles more—such is the sorrow of parting. A taste unlike any other lingering in the heart.
  9. Joy of Meeting: Forest Blossoms Shed Their Spring CrimsonLi Yu · Short LyricsForest blossoms have shed their spring crimson, all too fleetingly. Powerless against morning cold rain and evening gale. Naturally human life is filled with eternal regret, as rivers forever surge to the east.
  10. Ripples Sifting Sand: Outside the Blinds Rain MurmursLi Yu · Short LyricsLean not alone upon the balustrade—boundless homeland rivers and mountains! Parting was easy, reunion is impossible. Flowing waters, fallen blossoms, spring is gone—one in Heaven, the other in the mortal world.
  11. Dance of the Cavalry: For Forty Years My Country and HomeLi Yu · Short LyricsMost agonizing was the day of hurried farewell to ancestral temples, when court musicians still played parting songs, weeping helplessly before palace maidens.
  12. Gazing South: How Boundless the RegretLi Yu · Short LyricsHow much regret, in last night's dream!
  13. Peace and Happiness: Half of Spring Has Passed Since PartingLi Yu · Short LyricsThe sorrow of parting is just like spring grass: the further one journeys, the more it flourishes anew.
  14. Crows Chanting at Night: Last Night Wind Blended with RainLi Yu · Short LyricsLast night wind blended with rain, rustling through curtains in autumnal cries. Candles guttered, water-clocks ran dry as I tossed upon my pillow; rising and sitting, my soul found no peace.
  15. Ru Meng Ling (Once I Feasted in the Deep Cave of Peach Spring)Li Cunxu · Short LyricsI always remember the time I parted from you, seeing you out of the gate with tears.
  16. Yi Ye Luo (A Single Leaf Falls)Li Cunxu · Short LyricsOver the painted tower the moonlight is cold; the west wind stirs the silk hangings.
  17. Yu Lou Chun (Skin of Ice and Bones of Jade)Meng Chang (traditionally attributed) · Short LyricsSkin of ice and bones of jade, cool and without sweat; in the water palace the breeze comes, warm with hidden fragrance.

Classical Prose

4 works

Authoritative classical prose from Pre-Qin philosophers to Tang-Song prose masters.

  1. Family Instructions of the Qian ClanQian Liu (traditionally attributed) · Letters & PrefacesIn the arts of the heart do not offend against heaven and earth; in word and deed be without shame before the sages.
  2. Admonition Issued to Magistrates (The Admonition Stone Inscription)Meng Chang · Epitaphs & ElegiesYour pay and your salary are the fat and the marrow of the people.
  3. Old Book of TangLiu Xu (comp.) · Historical NarrativeApart from my clothes, everything I have was given by Your Majesty's grace, and there is nothing I can leave you; but my hair and skin are from my parents.
  4. 'The Flowers Bloom on the Field Paths; You May Come Home Slowly' (Letter to the Queen)Qian Liu (traditionally attributed) · Letters & PrefacesThe flowers are blooming on the field paths; you may come home slowly.

Sayings & Idioms

76 works

Living Chinese linguistic heritage comprising idioms, proverbs, aphorisms, and couplets.

  1. Adapting to CircumstancesLiu Xu et al. · IdiomsTo adapt flexibly and act as circumstances change.
  2. Seamless Heavenly RobeNiu Qiao · IdiomsA celestial robe with no seams; flawless and without a trace of imperfection.
  3. Opportunity Must Not Be MissedLiu Xu et al. (comp.) · IdiomsA rare opportunity must not be lost; urges prompt action.
  4. Too Painful to Look Back OnLi Yu · IdiomsLast night the east wind blew again over the little tower; I cannot bear to look back toward my lost land in the bright moonlight.
  5. Ruffling a Pool of Spring WaterFeng Yansi · IdiomsSuddenly the wind rises and ruffles a whole pool of spring water.
  6. Inscription on the Peach-wood CharmsMeng Chang (traditionally attributed) · CoupletsThe new year receives abundant blessings; the joyous festival is called Everlasting Spring.
  7. A Brief Indulgence in Dreamt JoyLi Yu · AphorismsIn the dream I forgot I was a guest, and briefly indulged in joy.
  8. A Floating Life Reckoned as One DreamLi Yu · AphorismsThe world's affairs drift off with the flowing water; reckoned up, a floating life is one dream.
  9. The Hurried Farewell to the Ancestral TempleLi Yu · AphorismsWorst of all was the day I hastily left the ancestral temple: the court musicians still played songs of parting, and I wept before the palace maids.
  10. As Far Apart as Heaven and the Human WorldLi Yu · IdiomsFlowing water, fallen flowers, spring is gone: heaven above and the human world below.
  11. Shen Yue's Waist and Pan Yue's TemplesLi Yu · IdiomsOnce I became a captive subject, my waist like Shen's and my temples like Pan's were worn away.
  12. Spring Gone with Flowing Water and Fallen BlossomsLi Yu · IdiomsFlowing water, fallen blossoms: spring is gone, as far apart as heaven and the human world.
  13. Only the Road to Drunkenness Is SmoothLi Yu · AphorismsThe world's affairs drift away with the water; this floating life is a dream. The road to drunkenness is smooth, so go there often; no other road is fit to walk.
  14. Carved Balustrades and Jade Steps of a Lost PalaceLi Yu · IdiomsThe carved railings and jade steps must still be there; only the rosy faces have changed.
  15. Sorrow Like a River of Spring Water Flowing EastLi Yu · AphorismsIf you ask how much sorrow I can hold, it is just like a whole river of spring water flowing east.
  16. Worldly Affairs Drift Away like Flowing WaterLi Yu · AphorismsThe world's affairs have drifted off with the flowing water; reckon it up, and this floating life is but a dream.
  17. Life's Regrets Run On as Rivers Run EastLi Yu · AphorismsRouge-stained tears, tempting me to linger drunk; when shall we meet again? Truly, life's regrets run on as rivers run east.
  18. When Had I Ever Known Shield and Spear: Li Yu's LamentLi Yu · AphorismsPhoenix pavilions and dragon towers reached the Milky Way; jade trees and jewelled branches grew thick as mist and vines. When had I ever known shield and spear?
  19. A Taste All Its Own upon the HeartLi Yu · AphorismsCut, it will not break; sorted, it tangles again; this is the sorrow of parting, a taste all its own upon the heart.
  20. Cut It Will Not Break, Sort It and It Tangles: Li Yu's Parting SorrowLi Yu · AphorismsCut, it will not break; sorted, it tangles again; this is the sorrow of parting.
  21. My Family Realm of Forty YearsLi Yu · AphorismsForty years of my family's realm; three thousand li of mountains and rivers.
  22. How Much Regret Last NightLi Yu · AphorismsHow much regret, all in last night's dreaming soul.
  23. Gone All Too SoonLi Yu · AphorismsThe forest flowers have shed their spring red, all too soon.
  24. Lonely Wutong Trees, Autumn Locked in a Deep CourtyardLi Yu · AphorismsLonely wutong trees; the deep courtyard locks in the clear autumn.
  25. When Will the Spring Flowers and Autumn Moons Ever EndLi Yu · AphorismsSpring flowers and autumn moon, when will you end? How much of the past do I remember?
  26. Parting Sorrow That Grows the Farther One TravelsLi Yu · AphorismsThe sorrow of parting is just like spring grass: the farther you go, the more it grows.
  27. Only the Rosy Faces Have ChangedLi Yu · AphorismsThe carved railings and jade steps must still be there; only the rosy faces have changed.
  28. The Woodland Blossoms Have Shed Their Spring RedLi Yu · AphorismsThe woodland blossoms have shed their spring red, all too soon.
  29. In Dreams Forgetting One Is Only a Captive GuestLi Yu · AphorismsIn my dream I did not know I was a guest here, and clung for a moment to pleasure.
  30. Tears Stained with RougeLi Yu · AphorismsTears stained with rouge hold me, intoxicated; when will we meet again?
  31. Falling Plum Petals Whirl Like SnowLi Yu · AphorismsBelow the steps the plum petals fall and whirl like snow; I brush them off, and I am covered again.
  32. Carriages Flow Like Water, Horses Like DragonsLi Yu · AphorismsAs in the old days I toured the royal park, carriages flowing like water, horses like dragons, flowers and moon in the spring breeze!
  33. Room for a Single MatLiu Xu (comp.) · IdiomsA woman's understanding does not reach far, and she has offended Your Majesty; yet the consort has long enjoyed your favour. Why begrudge her room for a single mat in the palace? Let her meet death there; how could you bear to let her suffer disgrace outside?
  34. Lilac Buds Knotted with Sorrow in the RainLi Jing · AphorismsThe bluebird brings no letter from beyond the clouds; lilac buds knot their sorrow in vain in the rain.
  35. Facing Danger Without Shrinking BackLiu Xu (comp.) · IdiomsTo keep the small feelings of kindness and forget the great plans of the state, to feel no fear as disaster comes and to sit at ease on the brink of ruin, failing a subject's duty not to shrink from danger and lacking the ancient worthies' readiness to put duty before kin: this is not what I have been taught.
  36. A Rabble Flocking Together Like CrowsLiu Xu (comp.) · IdiomsLi Guangbi had come through hard fighting in Hebei; his crack troops had all gone to Shuofang, and under his banner was only a rabble of fewer than ten thousand.
  37. Annex the Weak and Strike the BenightedLiu Xu (comp.) · IdiomsXiao Yu said: 'Annex the weak and strike the benighted; attacking them is best.'
  38. Skin of Ice and Bones of JadeMeng Chang (traditionally attributed) · IdiomsSkin of ice and bones of jade, cool and free of sweat; wind comes to the water palace, and a hidden fragrance warms the air.
  39. Seize the Disordered, Crush the DoomedLiu Xu (comp.) · IdiomsIf we now wish to seize the disordered and crush the doomed, we betray the duty of an ally.
  40. Too Troubled to Sit at Ease: Taizong and the TurksLiu Xu (comp.) · IdiomsResolved to destroy the Xiongnu, I could not sit at ease on my mat, nor taste my food.
  41. Righteousness Above Kinship: From Shi Que to the Xuanwu GateLiu Xu (comp.) · IdiomsTo lose a subject's resolve in danger and lack the former worthies' deed of putting righteousness above kin; I have never heard of such a course.
  42. Chaos Born of Hunger: Li Ji and the Liyang GranaryLiu Xu (comp.) · IdiomsThe realm is in great chaos, and at bottom it is because of hunger; if we take the granary at Liyang, our cause will succeed.
  43. Plum Petals Mimicking Snow in the WindFeng Yansi · AphorismsFrom the laden branches the plum blossom falls in thousands of petals; still full of feeling, they imitate the snow and whirl in the wind.
  44. Guarding One's Integrity Like Jade: The Qian Family PreceptsQian Liu (traditionally attributed) · IdiomsUphold the law like a mountain, guard yourself like jade, love the people like your children, and root out vermin like enemies.
  45. Furthering the Ruler's Good: Young Li Zhi on the Classic of Filial PietyLiu Xu (comp.) · IdiomsA gentleman serving his superior thinks of full loyalty at court and of mending faults in retirement; he furthers the good in him and corrects the bad.
  46. Forgetting Danger in Times of Ease: Emperor Dezong Blames HimselfLiu Xu (comp.) · AphorismsSet in my habits and easily indulged, I forgot danger in times of ease.
  47. What Business Is It of Yours? The Ripple on a Spring PondFeng Yansi · IdiomsIf the wind ruffles a pond of spring water, what business is it of yours?
  48. Falling at the Twang of the BowstringLiu Xu (comp.) · IdiomsOf the seventy arrows he shot, every one brought a man down at the twang of the string, and the bandits were routed.
  49. Failing to Decide When Decision Is DueLiu Xu (comp.) · IdiomsFail to decide when you should, and disorder will come back on you.
  50. Upholding the Law Firm as a MountainQian Liu (traditionally attributed) · IdiomsUphold the law like a mountain, guard your conduct like jade, love the people as your children, root out vermin as an enemy.
  51. Settling Disputes and Relieving DangerQian Liu (traditionally attributed) · IdiomsRelieve disaster and help the needy; remove danger and settle disputes.
  52. An Opportunity That Must Not Be Let SlipLiu Xu (comp.) · IdiomsThis is the decisive moment of war; the opportunity must not be lost. It is how Han Xin defeated Qi.
  53. Plum Petals Falling by the Thousand From Laden BoughsFeng Yansi · AphorismsFrom the laden plum boughs petals fall by the thousand, still full of feeling, whirling in the wind as if imitating snow.
  54. Wrung From the People's Fat and MarrowMeng Chang · IdiomsOur ranks and rewards are never delayed; your salaries and stipends are the people's fat and marrow.
  55. A Pearl Overlooked by the Divers of the Vast SeaLiu Xu (comp.) · IdiomsConfucius said: 'By observing a man's faults you can know his goodness.' You may truly be called a bright pearl of the sea's edge, a lost treasure of the southeast.
  56. Saving the Age and Bringing Peace to the PeopleLiu Xu (comp.) · IdiomsThis boy has the bearing of dragon and phoenix and the countenance of heaven and sun; by the age of twenty he will surely save the age and bring peace to the people.
  57. Love the People as One's Own Children: The Qian Family RuleQian Liu (traditionally attributed) · IdiomsUphold the law like a mountain, keep yourself pure as jade, love the people as your children, and root out the corrupt as you would a foe.
  58. Heartsick and Head-Aching: Taizong's Shame AvengedLiu Xu (comp.) · IdiomsI was never without heartache and headache, resolved to destroy the nomads, unable to sit at ease or taste my food.
  59. Di Renjie and the White Cloud over His Parents' HomeLiu Xu (comp.) · IdiomsMy parents live beneath that cloud.
  60. Holding Nothing Back: Wei Zheng's Counsel to TaizongLiu Xu (comp.) · IdiomsWei Zheng too rejoiced at meeting a ruler who understood him, and wishing to give all his abilities, he held back nothing he knew.
  61. Gluing the Bridges and Playing the Zither: Zhao Kuo's Book LearningLiu Xu (comp.) · IdiomsYour Majesty employs Kuo for his name, which is like gluing the bridges and then playing the zither.
  62. The Lotus Fragrance Fades: Li Jing's Autumn LamentLi Jing · AphorismsThe lotus fragrance fades and the green leaves wither; the west wind raises sorrow among the blue waves.
  63. Knowing a Man's Goodness by His Faults: Yan Liben Recommends Di RenjieLiu Xu (comp.) · IdiomsYou, sir, may be called a bright pearl of the coast and a treasure overlooked in the south-east.
  64. Turning Disaster into Good FortuneLiu Xu (comp.) · IdiomsTo turn defeat into success is the high insight of the wise; to turn disaster into good fortune is the foresight of capable men.
  65. Withdrawing to Reflect and Make AmendsLiu Xu (comp.) · IdiomsIn serving his superior, a gentleman thinks of being wholly loyal when he comes forward and of amending his faults when he withdraws; he follows his lord's good qualities and corrects his errors.
  66. United in Heart and Joining All Our StrengthLiu Xu (comp.) · IdiomsWhen in the past the locusts could not be eliminated, it was only because people did not exert themselves; if only they are united in heart and join their strength, they can surely be destroyed.
  67. A Hundred and Forty Thousand Laid Down Their ArmsLady Huarui (traditionally attributed) · AphorismsA hundred and forty thousand men all laid down their armour, and not one of them was a man.
  68. Playing the Jade Mouth Organ Until It Grows ColdLi Jing · AphorismsIn fine rain I wake from dreams of the distant Jilu fort; in my small tower I play the jade sheng to the end, until it grows cold.
  69. To Meet Again Year After YearFeng Yansi · AphorismsThird, that like the swallows on the beam, we may be together year after year.
  70. A Banquet on a Spring DayFeng Yansi · AphorismsA banquet on a spring day: a cup of green wine, a song sung through; I bow again and set out three wishes.
  71. Unflinching as the Mirror Shows a Thinning FaceFeng Yansi · AphorismsDay after day before the flowers I am sick with wine, and do not shrink from the mirror showing my rosy face grown thin.
  72. Like Swallows on the Beam: Three Wishes at a Spring BanquetFeng Yansi · AphorismsFirst, may my lord live a thousand years; second, may I stay well; third, may we be like the swallows on the beam, meeting again year after year.
  73. Alone on a Small Bridge, Sleeves Full of WindFeng Yansi · AphorismsI stand alone on the small bridge, my sleeves full of wind, until the new moon rises over the level woods and everyone has gone home.
  74. Sick with Wine Before the Flowers Each SpringFeng Yansi · AphorismsDay after day before the flowers I am sick with wine, and do not shrink from the mirror showing my rosy face grown thin.
  75. A Sudden Wind Ruffles a Pool of Spring WaterFeng Yansi · AphorismsThe wind suddenly rises and ruffles a whole pool of spring water.
  76. Who Owns the Petals Falling in the Wind: Li Jing's Spring SorrowLi Jing · AphorismsPetals falling in the wind, who is their master? My thoughts drift on and on.