By Su Shi
The mighty Yangtze River flows eastward –
Its waves wash away all heroes of bygone ages.
West of the old ramparts, folks say,
Lies Red Cliff, where Zhou Yu of the Three Kingdoms once triumphed.
Craggy cliffs pierce the sky;
Thunderous waves crash on the shore,
Whipping up a thousand heaps of snow-white spray.
So picturesque the land –
How many gallant men it saw in that brief hour!
I picture Zhou Yu in his prime:
Just wed to Xiao Qiao, bold and bright,
With feather fan and silk scarf,
He laughed and chatted –
While oared warships turned to ash and smoke.
Wandering now through this lost realm in thought,
I’d be mocked for my sentiment –
My hair already frosted though still young.
Ah, life is but a dream –
Let me pour a libation to the river and the moon.
Note
Also known as Su Dongpo, he was a towering literary figure of the Northern Song Dynasty – poet, essayist, calligrapher, painter, and statesman. Frequently exiled due to political conflicts, his works blend philosophical depth with lyrical beauty.
Red Cliff (Chibi)
Refers to the legendary 208 CE naval battle during the Three Kingdoms period (220–280 CE). Though historians debate the exact location, Su Shi visited Huangzhou (modern Hubei) and wrote this poem inspired by local lore identifying it as the historic site.
Three Kingdoms
A turbulent era following the fall of the Han Dynasty, marked by rivalry among three states: Wei, Shu, and Wu. Romanticized in the 14th-century novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms, it remains a cornerstone of Chinese cultural imagination.
A brilliant young general of the state of Wu, famed for his role in defeating Cao Cao’s vastly superior fleet at Red Cliff. He symbolizes youthful talent, strategic genius, and charismatic leadership.
Xiao Qiao
One of the famed “Two Qiaos,” beautiful sisters married to top Wu generals – Xiao Qiao to Zhou Yu, Da Qiao to Sun Ce. Their marriage underscores Zhou Yu’s glory and personal happiness.
Feather fan and silk scarf
Contrary to later operatic depictions of Zhou Yu as a warrior in armor, Su Shi portrays him as a refined scholar-general – calm, composed, and victorious through intellect rather than brute force.
Libation to the river and moon
A ritual act of pouring wine onto the ground or into water as an offering to spirits or nature. Here, it expresses Su Shi’s melancholy acceptance of time’s passage and human transience.
Leave a Reply