Writers › Writer / Poet
Zhuo Wenjun
Daughter of the Linqiong merchant Zhuo Wangsun who, the Records of the Grand Historian says, eloped with Sima Xiangru
Mural of the event “Wenjun at Wine Shop”, which this person took part in.
Set in Shu during the Western Han, the story of Zhuo Wenjun and Sima Xiangru moves from musical courtship and elopement to their shared livelihood in Linqiong, followed by the themes of love and self-respect preserved in later literary tradition.
Also known as Wenjun
- Roles
- Writer / Poet
Zhuo Wenjun was the daughter of Zhuo Wangsun, a rich merchant of Linqiong in Shu commandery, and the wife of Sima Xiangru. The Records of the Grand Historian says she was newly widowed and fond of music when Sima Xiangru courted her with his zither at a banquet in her father's house, and she ran away to him that night. The couple later kept a wine shop in Linqiong, where she served at the counter, until her father gave them servants and money. Tradition names his tune Phoenix Seeking a Mate. The Song of White Hair, the Number Poem and a farewell letter are ascribed to her, but the attributions are doubted.
Life and times
- c. 175 BCEBorn
Han - 150 BCEWenjun at Wine Shop
Took partZhuo Wenjun eloped with Sima Xiangru, ran a tavern in Linqiong, and authored the immortal Song of White Hair.- Zhuo Wenjun Elopement with Sima XiangruWooed by the zither piece Phoenix Courting, Wenjun eloped in the night to pursue authentic love.
- Tavern Keeping in Linqiong142 BCEOpening a wine tavern in Linqiong, Wenjun stood at the counter while Xiangru washed vessels in the market.
- Song of White Hair Severance Letter130 BCEComposing Song of White Hair with 'May I win a person's heart, till our hair turns white', preserving mutual dignity.
- Zhuo Wenjun Elopement with Sima Xiangru
- c. 121 BCEDied
Works
Literature · Sayings2- Never Parting Until Our Hair Turns WhiteHanFamous line from the Song of White Hair, longing for a love that never strays
- Coming to Break Off with You for GoodHanFamous line from the Song of White Hair: a woman's firm break with an unfaithful man
- Literature · Poetry1
- Song of White HairHanHan yuefu traditionally ascribed to Zhuo Wenjun, rebuking Sima Xiangru's wandering heart
- Literature · Prose1
- Letter of FarewellHanParting letter to Sima Xiangru ascribed to Zhuo Wenjun, first found in Ming sources
Family tree
- Direct kin
