Cao Zhi

Works

1. Literature · Sayings11
   1. Looking Left and RightThree KingdomsIdiom from a Cao Zhi letter: first self-satisfied glances, later hesitant looking about
   2. Light as a Startled SwanThree KingdomsIdiom from Cao Zhi's Rhapsody on the Goddess of the Luo River: light and graceful as a swan
   3. A Poem Composed Within Seven PacesThree KingdomsIdiom from A New Account of Tales of the World: Cao Zhi composes a poem in seven steps
   4. Graceful as a Swimming DragonThree KingdomsAphorism from Cao Zhi's Rhapsody on the Goddess of the Luo: grace like a swimming dragon
   5. Aspirations Spanning the Four SeasThree KingdomsIdiom echoing Cao Zhi's poem for the Prince of Baima: aims as wide as the world
   6. +6 more

      1. Burning Bean Stalks to Boil the BeansThree KingdomsIdiom from Cao Zhi's Seven-Step Poem: brothers born of one root destroying each other
      2. Born of One Root, Why Torment Each Other SoThree KingdomsIdiom from Cao Zhi's Seven-Step Poem: why should those of one root torment each other
      3. Grown from the Same RootThree KingdomsFamous line from the Seven Steps Poem: kin from one root should not destroy each other
      4. Laying Down One's Life in the Nation's Hour of PerilThree KingdomsFamous line from Cao Zhi's The White Horse, on a young warrior who gives his life for his land
      5. A Beauty Both Lovely and SereneThree KingdomsFamous line from Cao Zhi's The Beauty: a lovely woman standing for unused talent
      6. Kindred Spirits on a Shared PathThree KingdomsIdiom traced to Cao Zhi's memorial in the Records of the Three Kingdoms: one aim, one path
2. Literature · Poetry8
   1. Seven Steps PoemThree KingdomsPoem Cao Zhi reputedly made in seven paces on Cao Pi's order: beans boiled on their stalks
   2. The White HorseThree KingdomsCao Zhi's yuefu of a young knight-errant of the northern frontier, ready to die for his country
   3. The Fair MaidenThree KingdomsCao Zhi's yuefu of a fair mulberry picker with no worthy suitor, a figure for his own neglect
   4. To Biao, King of BaimaThree KingdomsCao Zhi's long poem of 223 to his brother Cao Biao, forced apart on the road home from court
   5. Five Miscellaneous Poems · The Bright Moon Shines on the High TowerThree KingdomsFive poems by Cao Zhi of lonely wives, a far traveller and a southern beauty
   6. +3 more

      1. Planting KudzuThree KingdomsCao Zhi speaks as a wife cast aside, starting from kudzu planted below the southern hill
      2. Drifting DuckweedThree KingdomsCao Zhi likens a slighted wife to drifting duckweed, still hoping her husband's love returns
      3. Poem of a Cast-Off WifeThree KingdomsA childless wife facing dismissal, like a pomegranate that flowers but bears no fruit
3. Literature · Rhapsodies2
   1. Rhapsody on the Goddess of the Luo RiverThree KingdomsCao Zhi's rhapsody of a dreamlike meeting and parting with the goddess of the Luo River
   2. Rhapsody on Secluded LongingThree KingdomsCao Zhi's short rhapsody of climbing a terrace at year's end, his troubled heart beyond words
4. Literature · Prose1
   1. Letter to Yang DezuThree KingdomsCao Zhi's letter to Yang Xiu on literary rivalry and his wish for deeds before literary fame