Qu Yuan wrote about the Mountain Ghost.

Release date:

2023-06-18

Qu Yuan (c. 340–278 BCE), of the Mi clan and the Qu family, was named Ping, with the courtesy name Yuan; he also styled himself Zhengze, with the courtesy name Lingjun. Born in Danyang, Zigui, in the State of Chu (present-day Yichang, Hubei), he was a poet and statesman of the Warring States period. [1] He was a descendant of Qu Xia, son of King Wu of Chu, Xiong Tong. As a youth, he received an excellent education, possessed a vast store of knowledge, and harbored lofty aspirations. Early in his career, he enjoyed the trust of King Huai of Chu, serving as Left Minister and Grand Master of the Three Clans, overseeing both domestic and foreign affairs. He advocated “beautiful governance,” promoting the appointment of worthy men to positions of responsibility and the refinement of laws and regulations at home, while abroad he staunchly supported an alliance with Qi to resist Qin. Ostracized and slandered by the aristocracy, he was successively exiled to the northern regions of Han and to the valleys of the Yuan and Xiang rivers. [2] After the Qin army captured Ying, the capital of Chu, he drowned himself in the Miluo River, sacrificing his life for his country.
Qu Yuan drew inspiration from the folk myths of the Wushan Goddess in Chu, giving birth to the image of the beautiful, passionately devoted mountain spirit. The poem meticulously portrays and expresses the goddess’s intricate, convoluted state of mind as she makes her way to their rendezvous, thereby articulating humanity’s yearning for and steadfast devotion to love. In doing so, it subtly alludes to Qu Yuan’s unwavering loyalty and deep affection for King Huai of Chu.

 

Previous post

The “Spiritual Love” Between Song Yu and the Goddess of Mount Wu

The Four Talents of Lingzhi

Next article

Related Recommendations