–Mao Zedong, February 1936
Behold the northern land’s grand view:
A thousand leagues locked in ice and frost,
Ten thousand leagues where snowflakes lost
In whirling flight the sky bestrew.
Great Wall stretches far, beyond and near;
One vast white waste alone appears.
The Yellow River’s mighty tide
From source to sea is stilled, dried.
Mountains like silver serpents glide;
Plains like waxen elephants ride,
Vying to scale the heaven’s side.
Wait for a clear and sunny day:
See red sun gild the white snow’s lay –
How fair, how bright, how full of grace!
Our land so lovely, so divine,
Bends countless heroes to incline
Their hearts in homage, line by line.
Yet sigh: First Emperor Qin and Han’s Wu
In literary grace were short to view;
Tang’s Taizong and Song’s Zu too
In poetic spirit lacked the clue.
Genghis Khan, heaven’s favored son,
Bent bow to shoot eagles – only one
Proud skill his reign had ever done.
All are gone, passed away long ago;
Count true heroes, men of grace and glow –
We look to this age, here and now!
Note
Wrote in February 1936 at Yuanjiagou, Qingjian County, Shaanxi, as the Red Army prepared to cross the Yellow River east to fight Japan. First published in Xinmin Wanbao (Chongqing) in November 1945 during the Chongqing Peace Talks.
Qinyuanchun (Spring in a Pleasure Garden)
A classic ci (song lyric) form, popular in Song Dynasty. Known for grand, heroic tone, long lines, suitable for epic themes.
Qin Shi Huang
First Emperor of Qin (r. 221–210 BC). Unified China, built Great Wall segments, standardized writing/weights. Great military unifier, weak in literary culture.
Wu of Han
Emperor Wu of Han (r. 141–87 BC). Expanded empire, opened Silk Road. Strong military, limited literary legacy.
Tang Taizong
Emperor Taizong of Tang (r. 626–649). Founder of Tang’s golden age, wise ruler. Great statesman, modest in poetic arts.
Song Taizu
Emperor Taizu of Song (r. 960–976). Founded Song Dynasty, ended warlord chaos. Strong ruler, less noted for literature.
Genghis Khan
Mongol conqueror (1162–1227). Built largest empire in history. Supreme warrior, “only knew shooting eagles” – symbol of pure military might.
Revolutionary Romanticism
Blends vast natural scenery (snow, mountains, Great Wall) with revolutionary ambition and historical judgment.
Heroism & “Fengliu”
“Fengliu” = true heroes, men of virtue, talent, and achievement. Mao redefines it: modern revolutionaries surpass ancient emperors.
Great Wall
Icon of Chinese civilization, strength, and national identity.
Yellow River
“Mother River of China,” core of Chinese history and culture.
Bow in homage
From “not bow for five pecks of rice” (Tao Qian – Tao Yuanming). Here: heroes admire/serve the nation.
Heaven’s favored son (pride of heaven)
Ancient term for Xiongnu chieftains. Mao uses for Genghis Khan.
All are gone…look to today
Defining climax: Past heroes fade; modern revolutionaries are the true greats.
沁园春-雪
毛泽东，一九三六年二月
北国风光，
千里冰封，
万里雪飘。
望长城内外，
惟余莽莽；
大河上下，
顿失滔滔。
山舞银蛇，
原驰蜡象，
欲与天公试比高。
须晴日，
看红装素裹，
分外妖娆。
江山如此多娇，
引无数英雄竞折腰。
惜秦皇汉武，
略输文采；
唐宗宋祖，
稍逊风骚。
一代天骄，
成吉思汗，
只识弯弓射大雕。
俱往矣，
数风流人物，
还看今朝。
Leave a Reply