Poem of the Southern Mountain - Han Yu
/南山诗 - 韩愈/
A Sublime Homage to Majestic Southern Peaks
南山诗
Poem of the Southern Mountain
南山苍翠何崔巍
How verdant and towering stands the Southern Mountain
流水潺潺天际来
Trickling streams descend from the distant heavens
云封古径荒无人
Clouds cloak ancient trails, where travelers rarely roam
鸢噪苍松秋意催
Kites cry among green pines, heralding autumn’s hush
岩花点点胜锦绣
Speckled cliffside blossoms surpass any woven brocade
孤亭迥立见尘埃
A lone pavilion stands aloft, surveying mortal dust below
我来一叹山川久
I arrive with a sigh for these enduring lands
顿觉襟怀洗尘埃
Suddenly my heart feels cleansed of worldly cares
Although “南山诗” (Poem of the Southern Mountain) by Han Yu may not be as widely referenced as some of his other writings, it nonetheless highlights key themes in the poet’s oeuvre: reverence for the natural world, the transience of human concerns, and the calming effect that unspoiled landscapes have on the reflective mind.
In these lines, the Southern Mountain looms proud and lush, its flowing streams sourced from celestial heights—an image linking heaven and earth. The poem’s stillness is punctuated by the sound of kites (raptors) calling among the pines, a subtle sign of autumn’s arrival.
Amid this grandeur, the human realm appears faint and distant. The mention of an isolated pavilion (a place to pause and contemplate) underscores the poem’s invitation to momentarily abandon worldly entanglements. In the closing lines, Han Yu speaks of his heart being “cleansed of dust,” a figurative way of saying that the quiet majesty of nature washes away the anxieties of daily life.
Throughout the Tang dynasty, mountains frequently symbolized more than physical landforms: they were embodiments of enduring stability and spiritual profundity. A poet’s encounter with a lofty peak often implied an internal journey toward clarity or enlightenment. Here, that motif remains present, urging us to see through human trivialities and embrace a realm of calmer truths—if only for a fleeting moment in the mountain’s embrace.
Key points
• Han Yu’s poem uses the towering mountain and its pristine environment to illustrate nature’s ability to console and uplift.
• The interplay of clouds, streams, and autumnal creatures underscores the cyclical flow of seasons, reminding us of the deeper rhythms beyond human affairs.
• True perspective arises when we temporarily disengage from our daily cares, allowing awe-inspiring scenery to revitalize and humble us.
• Like much of Tang poetry, “南山诗” invites readers to seek serenity—and perhaps insight—in the midst of life’s perpetual changes.
