Tang poetry and Song Ci: Living application

Author: Chen Liu
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-09-01
Features: Two Poems of Bamboo Branch Rhyme (The First) - Tang · Liu Yuxi
Green willows, green waters,
The young man sings by the river.
Sun rises in the east, rain falls in the west,
Saying it's not sunny, yet it is sunny.
Appreciation
This is a folk-style love song. "Sun rises in the east, rain falls in the west, saying it's not sunny, yet it is sunny": The sun shines brightly in the east, while rain falls in the west. It is said that it is not sunny, yet there is sunshine in it. The poet uses the natural phenomena of autumn and summer seasons, and the homophonic pun of the Chinese word "qing" (sunny) for "qing" (love), to subtly express the complex psychology of the characters in the poem—confusion, lingering attachment, restlessness, and hidden joy within blame. It is often used to describe the ambiguous emotions of lovers, as if it is full of love yet seems indifferent. It is now also used to describe two seemingly different phenomena that imply the same essence.
In public speaking, Director Chen Yunlin of the Taiwan-Continent Affairs Office skillfully used the natural phenomenon of "sun rises in the east, rain falls in the west" during the farewell ceremony for the chairman of the People First Party of Taiwan, Song Kyu-yi, to vividly express the arduous journey from the mainland to Taiwan and the mainland's feelings toward the People First Party of Taiwan. When the chairman of the People First Party of Taiwan, Song Kyu-yi, and his entourage boarded the plane to return to Taiwan, the sky above the capital airport was half sunny and half rainy, filled with the sentiment of parting. Director Chen Yunlin of the Taiwan-Continent Affairs Office, moved by the scene, praised a line of poetry: "Sun rises in the east, rain falls in the west, saying it's not sunny, yet it is sunny. If heaven has feelings, heaven would grow old; the right path of humanity is the vicissitudes of life." Song Kyu-yi replied with a line of Tang poetry: "To see a thousand miles, climb one more story." After that, the two embraced tightly by the staircase, just like when they bid farewell to the delegation led by Lien Chan not long ago. The visits of Lien and Song to the mainland laid a solid foundation for the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. The "Lien-Song Wind" launched by the Communist Party of China and the Kuomintang and People First Party has profound significance for cross-strait relations and the future of China.
"Sun rises in the east, rain falls in the west, saying it's not sunny, yet it is sunny" can also be understood as a method of interpersonal communication. Appropriately using it in communication can achieve the purpose of handling emotions well. When refusing someone, if you let them understand the "indifference" within the "affection," you can maintain their face, clearly convey your polite refusal, and make them accept you.
Writing Application
In essays, people often associate the surface meaning of "sun rises in the east, rain falls in the west, saying it's not sunny, yet it is sunny" with the emotions of the characters in the story and use it flexibly to express their psychological feelings more clearly. For example: Rain is ordinary, but "tears of joy" (Xiao Yi has grown accustomed to calling the sun rain in scenes like "sun rises in the east, rain falls in the west" "tears of joy") are rare. Every time Xiao Yi sees "tears of joy," she can't help but stare at it, lost in a frenzy. She believes it is the brilliant tears that fall from the sun, tears shed because the sun is joyful. It is the most joyful and magnificent scene of tears she has ever seen. She often marvels at the wonder of "sun rises in the east, rain falls in the west" in nature. Seeing the contradiction of "sunrise" and "rainfall" so vividly in her sight, she wants to rush in to feel the joy that the affectionate sun brings to all things on earth, even if her clothes get "indifferently" soaked. And now...