Five hundred authentic couplets from the Ming and Qing dynasties

Author: Sun Baolin
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2003-08-01
Features: In the early 10th century, the Li Tang dynasty had fallen, and the Wu people rose to power, plunging the world into chaos. The last ruler of Later Shu, Meng Chang, ruled the southwestern corner for thirty-one years. While ordinary people found it difficult to summarize his political achievements, he gained considerable fame due to a refined incident. During the spring festival, Chang personally wrote the auspicious couplet "[May the remaining blessings of the past year continue, and may the joyous festival bring eternal spring]" and inscribed it on the peach (wooden boards) at the door of the scholar Xing Yinxun's residence. This incident was recorded by the Qing Dynasty scholar Liang Zhangju in his work Collected Conversations on Couplets, making Chang the first person documented for spring couplets, earning him the title of "[Ancestor of Spring Couplets]." Upon closer reflection, this is indeed quite an interesting story. The unique beauty of couplet form enhanced the fragrance of Ming and Qing calligraphy, while the boundless charm of Ming and Qing calligraphy further glorified the art of couplets. Ming and Qing couplets, much like "[Jin people writing scriptures]" and "[Northern Dynasties cliff carvings]," have become a fixed concept in the history of Chinese cultural heritage. So, who should be credited for this collaboration between the two? Perhaps mutual appreciation is the answer. Of course, such a win-win situation where the two complement each other and shine together is something that later generations are very willing to see.