Gazing at the Mountain - Du Fu
/望岳 - 杜甫/
A Resolve to Ascend toward Lofty Heights
岱宗夫如何？
What is the grand Mount Tai truly like?
齐鲁青未了。
Its verdant slopes stretch across Qi and Lu, unending.
造化钟神秀，
Nature's wonders converge in divine splendor,
阴阳割昏晓。
Where yin and yang divide night from day.
荡胸生层云，
Layers of clouds stir the chest with awe,
决眦入归鸟。
And my eyes follow homebound birds till they disappear.
会当凌绝顶，
Soon shall I scale the highest summit,
一览众山小。
Where every lesser peak is seen in miniature below.
Du Fu composed this poem to celebrate the awe-inspiring Mount Tai, renowned as one of China’s most venerated peaks. Reflecting centuries of cultural reverence, Mount Tai has been central to imperial rites and poetic inspiration. Here, Du Fu vividly portrays the mountain’s sweeping panorama: green ridges roll into the distance across the ancient lands of Qi and Lu, symbolizing nature’s vast, enduring scope.
The poem’s imagery centers on the meeting of cosmic forces—yin and yang—where day and night cleave apart, underscoring Mount Tai’s mythic significance. Cloud layers and migrating birds further capture the interplay of motion and stillness, evoking both wonder and an invitation to reflection. By declaring his intention to stand at the summit, the poet signals a desire to transcend ordinary perspectives, using the mountain as both a literal and metaphorical vantage point.
Although the language appears succinct, the philosophical breadth runs deep. In scaling Mount Tai, Du Fu suggests a reaching beyond physical altitude toward moral, spiritual, or intellectual height. The longing to see “all other mountains small” represents a universal drive to expand one’s horizon, a theme resonating across cultural and historical boundaries. Ultimately, the poem celebrates how natural majesty can spark human ambition and how, by aspiring to lofty goals, we may find ourselves enriched by the grandeur that surrounds us.
Key points
• Nature’s epic scale can awaken profound ambition.
• Venerable landmarks like Mount Tai inspire spiritual and cultural reflection.
• Balancing simplicity of language with philosophical depth elevates poetry’s impact.
• Striving for higher perspectives—literal or figurative—can transform one’s worldview.