–Mao Zedong, May 11, 1957
I lost proud Yang; you lost brave Liu,
Their souls like willow-catkins soar to heaven’s height anew.
We ask Wu Gang: “What have you?”
He brings sweet osmanthus wine, pure and true.
Lonely Chang’e spreads her silken sleeves wide,
Across vast skies for loyal spirits she doth glide and bide.
News flashes: “Tigers tamed on earth!” they cried –
Tears burst forth, a downpour far and wide!
Note
This lyric was written by Comrade Mao Zedong in May 1957 to Comrade Li Shuyi, a Chinese language teacher at the Tenth Middle School in Changsha, Hunan Province.
In the lyric, “Liu” refers to Martyr Liu Zhixun, the beloved husband of Comrade Li Shuyi. He was an old comrade-in-arms of Comrade Mao Zedong. He joined the Communist Party of China in 1923, served as a member of the Hunan Provincial Government and Secretary-General of the Hunan Provincial Peasants’ Association, participated in the Nanchang Uprising, and sacrificed his life in the Battle of Honghu, Hubei Province in 1932.
“Proud Yang” refers to Martyr Yang Kaihui. She was killed by the reactionary warlord He Jian after the Red Army withdrew from Changsha in 1930. She was a close friend of Comrade Li Shuyi.
In February 1957, Comrade Li Shuyi sent Comrade Mao Zedong a lyric she had written in memory of Comrade Liu Zhixun. Comrade Mao Zedong wrote this lyric in reply.
Die Lian Hua (Butterfly Loves Flower)
Classic ci (lyric meter) (also Que Ta Zhi / Feng Qi Wu): fixed 8-line structure, two stanzas, rhyming cadences, used for elegiac, romantic, or heroic themes.
Yang Kaihui (1901–1930) (“Proud Yang”)
- Mao Zedong’s first wife, revolutionary martyr.
- Executed by the Kuomintang (Changsha, 1930) refusing to renounce Mao.
- Mao’s comment: “A woman who died for revolution – how could she not be proud?”
Liu Zhixun (1898–1932) (“Brave Liu”)
- Li Shuyi’s husband, Mao’s revolutionary comrade.
- Killed in the Hunan-Hubei Soviet (1932).
Li Shuyi (1901–1997)
- Yang Kaihui’s close friend; introduced to Liu Zhixun by Yang.
- Teacher at Changsha No.10 High School; corresponded with Mao.
Pun on Names (Shuangguan)
“Yang-Liu” = willow/catkins (nature) + Yang Kaihui & Liu Zhixun (people).
Proud Yang / Brave Liu
- “Yang” = Yang Kaihui; “Liu” = Liu Zhixun.
- “Proud” = heroic, unyielding, noble sacrifice.
Yang-Liu soar to ninth heaven
- Ninth Heaven: Highest celestial realm in Chinese mythology.
- Metaphor: Martyrs’ souls ascend to immortality.
Wu Gang
Mythic figure condemned to endlessly cut a self-healing laurel in the Moon Palace.
Osmanthus wine: Traditional lunar elixir; symbol of reverence for heroes.
Chang’e
- Moon Goddess: Floats alone on the moon after swallowing the elixir.
- Spreads wide sleeves: Classical Chinese dance gesture – honoring loyal souls.
Tigers tamed
Metaphor: Revolutionary victory; reactionaries overthrown.
Tears become downpour
Hyperbole: Martyrs’ joy/grief at earthly triumph; heaven weeps with them.
《蝶恋花-答李淑一》
我失骄杨君失柳，
杨柳轻飏直上重霄九。
问讯吴刚何所有，
吴刚捧出桂花酒。
寂寞嫦娥舒广袖，
万里长空且为忠魂舞。
忽报人间曾伏虎，
泪飞顿作倾盆雨。
Leave a Reply