Jingwei carries tiny twigs in her beak,
Intending to fill the vast blue sea.
Xingtian dances with his shield and battle-axe,
His fierce resolve forever remains.
Though mortal life is spent, no sorrow lingers;
Transformed into strange beings, they harbor no regrets.
The fierce ambitions of the past still burn within,
But how could they ever wait for a time of grace to return?
Note
Tao Yuanming’s Spirit of Rebellion
Tao Yuanming cherished freedom throughout his life, and a spirit of resistance is a major theme in his poetry. This poem praises the mythological figures of Jingwei and Xingtian, which serves as a perfect embodiment of this rebellious spirit.
Mythological Figures: Jingwei and Xingtian
The poem highlights the legendary tales of Jingwei and Xingtian from the Classic of Mountains and Seas (Shanhaijing). Jingwei is a mythical bird who died by drowning and vowed to fill the ocean with twigs and stones to prevent others from suffering the same fate. Xingtian is a headless giant who continued to fight the supreme deity even after being decapitated, using his nipples as eyes and his navel as a mouth. Tao focuses on their unwavering resolve and lack of regret even in death, elevating their tragic perseverance.
Historical Allegory: Resentment Towards Liu Yu
Tao’s praise for Jingwei and Xingtian is not without deeper political implications. The 13 poems in this series were likely written after the military warlord Liu Yu usurped the throne of the Jin Dynasty. While the “fierce resolve” mentioned in the poem reflects Tao’s youthful ambition to serve the world, it primarily expresses his profound grief and indignation over Liu Yu’s usurpation, as well as a tragic desire for vengeance.
This poem should be read alongside his other works on revenge, such as Ode to Jing Ke. Jing Ke was a renowned assassin of the Warring‑States period. Hired by Prince Dan of Yan, he set out to assassinate King Ying Zheng of Qin to stop Qin’s conquests. He carried a map concealing a dagger, yet the assassination attempt failed, and Jing Ke was killed on the spot. His story has been passed down through generations as a symbol of loyalty and chivalry.
The Tragic Beauty of Resistance
Even within the mythological world of the Shanhaijing, the vengeful desires of Jingwei and Xingtian seem destined to fail. However, their spirit of resistance is far from meaningless; it embodies the brave and resilient character of ancient Chinese ancestors. By exalting this spirit (“His fierce resolve forever remains”), Tao celebrates its indestructible nature. Yet, the concluding line (“But how could they ever wait for a time of grace to return?”) cast this spirit in a profoundly tragic light. This blend of sorrow and heroism endows Tao’s poem with a deep, tragic beauty.
读山海经十三首·其十
陶渊明〔魏晋〕
精卫衔微木，将以填沧海。
刑天舞干戚，猛志固常在。
同物既无虑，化去不复悔。
徒设在昔心，良辰讵可待。
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