Fu Xuan
Encyclopedia
Fu Xuan was a Chinese
poet of the Western Jin Dynasty. An impoverished orphan, he became rich due to his literary fame. He also once wrote an essay praising the Chinese mechanical engineers Ma Jun
and Zhang Heng
, where he lamented on the fact that extraordinary talents of natural geniuses were often ignored or neglected by those in charge (of government).
He rose to be Censor and Chamberlain under Emperor Wu of Jin
. He was of such an impatient disposition that whenever he had any memorial or impeachment to submit, he would proceed at once to the palace, no matter at what hour of the day or night, and sit there until audience at the following dawn. It was while thus waiting that he caught the chill of which he died.
One of the more famous poems by Fu Xuan is "Woman" which goes as follows:
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
poet of the Western Jin Dynasty. An impoverished orphan, he became rich due to his literary fame. He also once wrote an essay praising the Chinese mechanical engineers Ma Jun
Ma Jun
Ma Jun , style name Deheng , was a Chinese mechanical engineer and government official during the Three Kingdoms era of China...
and Zhang Heng
Zhang Heng
Zhang Heng was a Chinese astronomer, mathematician, inventor, geographer, cartographer, artist, poet, statesman, and literary scholar from Nanyang, Henan. He lived during the Eastern Han Dynasty of China. He was educated in the capital cities of Luoyang and Chang'an, and began his career as a...
, where he lamented on the fact that extraordinary talents of natural geniuses were often ignored or neglected by those in charge (of government).
He rose to be Censor and Chamberlain under Emperor Wu of Jin
Emperor Wu of Jìn
Emperor Wu of Jin, , personal name Sima Yan , style name Anshi , was the grandson of Sima Yi and son of Sima Zhao. He became the first emperor of the Jin Dynasty after forcing Cao Huan, last ruler of the state of Cao Wei, to abdicate to him. He reigned from 265 to 290, and after conquering the...
. He was of such an impatient disposition that whenever he had any memorial or impeachment to submit, he would proceed at once to the palace, no matter at what hour of the day or night, and sit there until audience at the following dawn. It was while thus waiting that he caught the chill of which he died.
Poetry
Fu Xuan's poems, primarily in the yuefu style, are noted for their powerful and empathetic portrayals of women. Translations of several of his sixty-odd extant poems can be found in the book New Songs from a Jade Terrace by Anne Birrell (ISBN 0-04-895026-2).One of the more famous poems by Fu Xuan is "Woman" which goes as follows:
- How sad it is to be a woman!!
- Nothing on earth is held so cheap.
- Boy stand leaning at the door
- Like Gods fallen out of Heaven.
- Their hearts brave the Four Oceans,
- The wind and dust of a thousand miles.
- No one is glad when a girl is born:
- By her the family sets no store.
- When she grows up, she hides in her room
- Afraid to look at a man in the face.
- No one cries when she leaves her home—Sudden as clouds when the rain stops.
- She bows her head and composes her face,
- Her teeth are pressed on her red lips:
- She bows and kneels countless times.
- She must humble herself even to the servants.
- His love is distant as the stars in Heaven,
- Yet the sunflower bends towards the sun.
- Their hearts are more sundered than water and fire—A hundred evils are heaped upon her.
- Her face will follow the years changes:
- Her lord will find new pleasures.
- They that were once like the substance and shadow
- Are now as far from Hu as from Ch'in [two distant places]
- Yet Hu and Ch'in shall sooner meet
- That they whose parting is like Ts'an and Ch'en [two stars]
See also
- PoetryPoetryPoetry is a form of literary art in which language is used for its aesthetic and evocative qualities in addition to, or in lieu of, its apparent meaning...
- Chinese poetryChinese poetryChinese poetry is poetry written, spoken, or chanted in the Chinese language, which includes various versions of Chinese language, including Classical Chinese, Standard Chinese, Mandarin Chinese, Cantonese, Yue Chinese, as well as many other historical and vernacular varieties of the Chinese language...
- List of Chinese people
- Chinese poets
- FeminismFeminismFeminism is a collection of movements aimed at defining, establishing, and defending equal political, economic, and social rights and equal opportunities for women. Its concepts overlap with those of women's rights...
- Feminist MovementFeminist movementThe feminist movement refers to a series of campaigns for reforms on issues such as reproductive rights, domestic violence, maternity leave, equal pay, women's suffrage, sexual harassment and sexual violence...