What are the classic poems describing wintersweet?
Wintersweet is a traditional precious ornamental flower and tree native to China. There is the famous line "knowing to visit the cold plum, passing the wild pond." "Yao's Remaining Words" also calls wintersweet the cold guest. Wintersweet blooms before spring, ahead of all other flowers. The tiger's-hoof wintersweet in particular puts out flowers in the tenth month of the lunar calendar, so people call it early plum. Let us take a look below at what poems describe wintersweet!
"To Fan Ye"
Northern and Southern Dynasties, Lu Kai
Breaking off a flower, I met a courier, and send it to the man at Longtou.
In Jiangnan there is nothing else; I send you a branch of spring.
"Two Poems on the Small Plum Tree in the Mountain Garden, No. 1"
Song Dynasty, Lin Bu
When all other flowers have fallen, it alone blooms bright and fair, claiming all the charm of the small garden.
Its sparse shadow lies slanting across the clear shallow water; its hidden fragrance floats in the dusk of the moon.
The frosty birds, about to alight, first steal a glance; the white butterflies, if they knew, would surely lose their souls.
Fortunately I can softly chant to be close to it; there is no need for sandalwood clappers or golden goblets.
"Two Poems on the Small Plum Tree in the Mountain Garden, No. 2"
Song Dynasty, Lin Bu
Cut silk in fragments, dotted with crisp powder; whether facing or away, sparse or dense, even to paint it is hard.
As the sun grows thin, it gladly waits for spring until late; when the frost is deep, it must dread the cold of night.
Clear and fresh, it is cherished only by the neighboring monk; cold and lonely, it still dislikes being seen by vulgar guests.
I recall the old roads of Jiangnan; the wine banners brushed slanting as I fell from my chanting saddle.
"Plum Blossom"
Song Dynasty, Wang Anshi
At the corner of the wall, several branches of plum, blooming alone against the cold.
From afar I know it is not snow, for a hidden fragrance comes.
"A Poem Lost While Playing Chess with Xue Zhaoming and Betting on Plum Blossom Poems"
Song Dynasty, Wang Anshi
With graying hair I seek spring, glad to see the plum; one tree by the road, its snow piled double.
On the southern paths of Phoenix City I will remember another year; its fragrance is far and hard to send by courier.
"Remembering Plum"
Fixed and still, dwelling at the edge of the sky; lingering, facing the splendor of things.
The cold plum is most to be resented, forever blooming as last year's flower.
"Seeing Plum Blossom at the Fufeng Border in Mid-Eleventh Month"
Tang Dynasty, Li Shangyin
Along the road it stands graceful and bright; out of season, its slender fragrance rises.
The white maiden only shares the moon; the blue maiden spares not the frost.
Giving it to one far away, my hands are empty; grieving at parting, my heart is fit to break.
For whom does it bloom early? It does not wait to be the fragrance of the year.
"Plum Blossom Quatrains, No. 1"
Song Dynasty, Lu You
I hear the plum blossom splits the dawn wind; snow piles fill all four mountains.
How can I transform into thousands of millions of bodies? One plum tree, one Fangweng.
"Plum Blossom Quatrains, No. 2"
Song Dynasty, Lu You
In the deep valley, how can the northern branches bear it, each year resigning themselves to bloom late.
Do you know its lofty standard and transcendent charm? It is precisely when ice is layered and snow accumulated.
"Plum Blossom Quatrains, No. 3"
Song Dynasty, Lu You
Though snow rages and wind howls, it grows even more stern; among flowers its integrity is the highest and firmest.
When its time passes, it will of itself drift away; it is ashamed to beg pity from the Lord of Spring.
"Early Plum"
Tang Dynasty, Zhang Wei
A tree of cold plum, branches of white jade, far overlooking the village road beside the stream bridge.
I do not know that near the water the flowers bloom first; I suspect it is winter snow not yet melted.
"Early Plum"
Southern Dynasties, Xie Xie
To welcome spring it therefore blooms early, alone doubting not the cold.
It fears falling behind the other flowers, with no one to look at it with special regard.
"River Plum"
Tang Dynasty, Du Fu
Plum buds break before the twelfth month; plum blossoms are many after the new year.
I know well the spring mood is good, but what can be done about a traveler's sorrow.
Snow-covered trees are originally the same color; the river wind also makes its own waves.
My old garden cannot be seen; the Wu peaks are dense and towering.
"Early Plum"
Tang Dynasty, Qi Ji
Ten thousand trees are frozen near breaking; the lone root alone returns to warmth.
In the deep snow of the village ahead, last night one branch bloomed.
The wind carries out its hidden fragrance; birds peek in at its plain beauty.
Next year, if it follows the pitch pipes, it will bloom first at the Spring-Watching Terrace.
"Miscellaneous Poem"
Tang Dynasty, Wang Wei
You come from my hometown; you should know the affairs of my hometown.
On the day you came, before the patterned window, had the cold plum put forth flowers?
"Miscellaneous Chants, No. 3"
Tang Dynasty, Wang Wei
I have already seen the cold plum bloom, and again hear the sound of crying birds.
With a sorrowful heart I look at the spring grass, fearing it will grow toward the jade steps.
"Remembering Plum"
Tang Dynasty, Li Shangyin
Fixed and still, dwelling at the edge of the sky; lingering, facing the splendor of things.
The cold plum is most to be resented, forever blooming as last year's flower.
"Chanting the Courtyard Plum and Sending It to Someone"
Tang Dynasty, Liu Yuxi
Early flowers always brave the cold; abundant fruit is always bitter and sour.
Why, on a spring day, sit and let its fragrant intent fade?
The delicate peach will surely laugh at it; would roaming courtesans be willing to turn and look!
You ask about tuning the golden cauldron; only then do you know true flavor is hard.
"Plum Blossom"
Tang Dynasty, Cui Daorong
Several calyxes first hold snow; its lone standard is hard to paint.
Within its fragrance there is a separate charm; so pure it does not know cold.
I listen to the horizontal flute with sorrow; I view its slanting branches as if ill.
If the contrary wind understands its meaning, let it not easily destroy it.
"Plum Blossom"
Northern and Southern Dynasties, Yu Xin
In those years, at mid-twelfth month, I already felt the plum blossom was fading.
I do not believe spring is late this year; all come to look among the snow.
The tree stirs, hanging ice falls; the branches are high, the outstretched hand cold.
Had I known earlier I would seek it and not find it, I would truly regret wearing thin clothes.
"Seeking Plum Blossom in the Snow"
Southern Dynasties, Xiao Gang
I am utterly surprised the plum blossom is late; all vie to peer at it in the snow.
The lower branches are low and can be seen; the high places are far and hard to know.
All are ashamed to show their wrists; each yields, saying the waist is weak.
Surely one must still cut and color it, learning to make two or three branches.
"Harmonizing with Duke Yuzhang's Yellow Plum"
Song Dynasty, Chen Shidao
Its color is light, its flowers even more brilliant; its body is delicate, its fragrance naturally lasting.
Jade substance with golden garments; the mountain is bright, the wind plays with its shadow.
Wintersweet
Song Dynasty, Wang Shipeng
It is neither wax nor plum; the plum has dyed its cheeks with wax.
Roaming bees, seeing it, are still startled, suspecting it comes from honey.
Wintersweet
Song Dynasty, Yang Wanli
Heaven has made a special wonder at the plum tips; its national fragrance is not yet allowed for the world to know.
Diligently it drips wax and seals itself shut, yet secretly the frosty wind opens one branch.
"Bodhisattva Barbarian"
Song Dynasty, Han Yuanji
In the snow of Jiangnan, the flower is like jade, and its romantic style is an even newer attire.
Exactly a robe of threaded gold, heavily perfumed with hundred-blend incense.
Though the fence-side chrysanthemums bloom bright and clear, they put on plum blossoms' guise.
Nowhere can I do anything about you; a single branch holds even more of spring.