— He Zhizhang
The slender beauty’s dressed in emerald all about;
A thousand branches droop like fringes made of jade.
But do you know by whom these slim leaves are cut out?
The wind of early spring is sharp as scissor blade.
Note
He Zhizhang (659–744 CE) was a celebrated poet, scholar, and government official of the early Tang Dynasty, known for his cheerful personality, refined taste, and accessible poetic style. A favorite at court and a friend of poets like Li Bai, He often wrote with warmth, wit, and a deep appreciation for the beauty of everyday nature.
In addition to his poetic talent, He Zhizhang was also a highly accomplished calligrapher, particularly skilled in caoshu(cursive script) and lishu (clerical script). His cursive writing was renowned for its vigorous, fluid brushwork – bold, expressive, and executed with unrestrained energy. During his lifetime, his calligraphy was widely admired and held in high esteem. Together with Zhang Xu and Huai Su, he is celebrated as one of the “Three Masters of Cursive Script of Tang Dynasty” (Tang Cao San Jie), a testament to his enduring influence on the art of Chinese calligraphy.
His beloved short poem “Ode to the Willow” (Yong Liu) is a joyful celebration of early spring. Using vivid imagery, he compares a tall willow tree to a young woman adorned in jade-green finery, its countless branches hanging like silky green ribbons. The poem then poses a playful question: who could have crafted such delicate leaves? The answer is delightfully unexpected – “The spring breeze of February is like a pair of scissors!”
This clever metaphor personifies the wind as a skilled artisan, gently “cutting out” the willow’s fine leaves. The poem captures the freshness, elegance, and creative energy of spring with simplicity, charm, and a touch of childlike wonder – making it one of the most memorized and cherished poems in Chinese literary tradition.
咏柳
— 贺知章
碧玉妆成一树高，
万条垂下绿丝绦。
不知细叶谁裁出，
二月春风似剪刀。
Leave a Reply