Viewing the Waterfall on Mount Lu (Part I) - Li Bai
/望庐山瀑布(其一) - 李白/
A Celestial Torrent Cascades from the Sky in Endless Splendor
日照香炉生紫烟，
Sunlit Incense Burner Peak begets violet mists,
遥看瀑布挂前川。
From afar, I see the waterfall hanging before the stream,
飞流直下三千尺，
A swift torrent plunges straight down for three thousand feet,
疑是银河落九天。
As if the Milky Way has fallen from the highest heavens.
Composed by Li Bai in the Tang Dynasty, this poem vividly portrays the awe-inspiring waterfall on Mount Lu. By pairing fiery sunlight with the imagery of purple mists rising around the Incense Burner Peak, Li Bai captures a scene of mystical beauty. He draws the reader’s attention from the mountain’s peak down to the waterfall’s descent, emphasizing the steepness and grandeur of the cascade. The line “A swift torrent plunges straight down for three thousand feet” uses hyperbole to stress the waterfall’s dramatic force. Meanwhile, likening the plunge to the Milky Way emphasizes the cosmic magnitude of the scene, as though it transcends earthly boundaries.
Beyond mere description, the poem conveys a spiritual resonance. In Li Bai’s eyes, the natural world stands in direct conversation with the heavenly realm. The waterfall is not just water; it is a bridge between earth and sky, suggesting the boundless possibilities one may encounter while gazing upon nature’s wonders. Li Bai often used rich imagination and vibrant language to celebrate landscapes, and here he weaves celestial elements into the natural domain, inspiring both awe and reflection. The poem remains a masterpiece of Chinese literature, demonstrating the poet’s artistic flair and deep reverence for the world around him.
Key points
• Nature’s grandeur can evoke a sense of the divine.
• Vivid imagery and hyperbole amplify the poem’s emotional impact.
• The waterfall symbolizes a link between earth and heaven.
• Li Bai’s work exemplifies the Tang Dynasty’s lyric beauty and spiritual depth.
