Chinese poem illustration: 秦风 蒹葭/ Qin Wind – Reeds by Anonymous
Full video also available at Bilibili: 秦风 蒹葭
This is my second video and interpretation for this one of the most popular poem in Shijing, a new argument among the so many.
This poem is pinpointed to the funeral of Duke Zhuang of Qin(Qin Zhuang Gong/秦庄公) in late autumn of B.C.778 or 779. His duke title is a posthumous title which confimed his feats by Qin trible, later the Qin state together by King of Zhou: it is him who establsihed the Qin state. Characters 伊, 方, 且, 宛 are examined and interpreted, by which this poem shows its original face.
Believe of not, it is the the head of Qin tribe(伊人) who led the people against the stream, whirling in the steam, crossing the stream even when he laid down in his coffin silently in this cold morning of late autunm. It is them and poet himself, the Qin people who was pulling the coffin with all the passion, strength and sadness.
秦风 蒹葭
佚名
蒹葭苍苍，白露为霜。
所谓伊人，在水一方。
溯洄从之，道阻且长。
溯游从之，宛在水中央。
蒹葭萋萋，白露未晞。
所谓伊人，在水之湄。
溯洄从之，道阻且跻。
溯游从之，宛在水中坻。
蒹葭采采，白露未已。
所谓伊人，在水之涘。
溯洄从之，道阻且右。
溯游从之，宛在水中沚。
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