–Mao Zedong, February 1961
Bright, brave, and keen with five-foot gun in hand,
First light of dawn gilds the training ground.
China’s sons and daughters hold lofty, bold command –
They love arms, not rouge, their warrior hearts unbound.
Note
Amid Cold War tensions, China promoted “militia divisions nationwide”. The poem was inscribed on a photo of Li Yuanhui, Mao’s female secretary who joined the Zhongnanhai militia. It praises women’s revolutionary spirit and defense commitment.
Seven-Character Quatrain (Qijue)
A concise classical form: 4 lines, 7 characters each, strict rhyme and tonal harmony.
Bright, brave, and keen
Allusion to Du Fu‘s A Portrait of General Cao Ba:
“Nobles’ hair bristles; heroic spirits charge into fierce fight”.
Originally for male warriors; here applied to women to highlight their valor.
Five-foot gun
Refers to a standard rifle (e.g., Type 38 rifle), symbolizing military readiness.
First light of dawn
Metaphor for hope, new era, and youthful vigor.
Training ground
Literally military drill field; represents patriotic defense.
China’s sons and daughters
Universal term for Chinese people, emphasizing national unity.
Lofty, bold aspirations
Extraordinary ideals – serving the nation over personal vanity.
Rouge/Red attire
Traditional feminine dress, cosmetics, and conventional female elegance.
Arms/Uniform
Military gear and revolutionary/defense duty.
They love arms, not rouge
Iconic line contrasting traditional femininity with modern revolutionary heroism, echoing female warriors like Hua Mulan and Mu Guiying (legendary heroines Mao praised).
Female Militants
1960s Chinese women who balanced daily life with military training, embodying gender equality and national defense mobilization. The line became a cultural slogan for women’s liberation and patriotism.
《七绝-为女民兵题照》
飒爽英姿五尺枪，
曙光初照演兵场。
中华儿女多奇志，
不爱红装爱武装。
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