Spirit of Xiao and Xiang - Liu Yuxi
/潇湘神 - 刘禹锡/
Teardrops Among the Bamboo by the Xiang River
斑竹枝，斑竹枝，
Bamboo branches, oh bamboo branches,
泪痕点点寄相思。
Tear-stains scattered, bearing wistful longing.
娥皇女英今安在？
Where now are E Huang and Nü Ying?
千载清潭空自知。
Only the timeless deep pool silently knows their grief.
Bamboo branches, oh bamboo branches,
泪痕点点寄相思。
Tear-stains scattered, bearing wistful longing.
娥皇女英今安在？
Where now are E Huang and Nü Ying?
千载清潭空自知。
Only the timeless deep pool silently knows their grief.
“Spirit of Xiao and Xiang” (潇湘神) by Liu Yuxi draws on centuries-old lore surrounding the Xiao and Xiang Rivers, which flow through Hunan Province. Local tradition recounts that E Huang and Nü Ying—legendary consorts of the sage-king Shun—mourned his death along these banks. Their tears allegedly stained the local bamboo, producing the famous ‘spotted bamboos’ (斑竹) that figure so prominently in Chinese cultural memory.
In this short poem, Liu Yuxi addresses the bamboos directly, evoking the haunting image of tear marks that carry echoes of deep yearning. By calling upon E Huang and Nü Ying, he invokes the sense of an absence that lingers through time—the once-living figures are gone, yet the traces of their sorrow remain. The poem’s final line points to the silent pool, reflecting how history and legend merge in a still yet resonant space.
Although brief, these lines are steeped in emotional resonance. The poet’s choice to frame the scene around bamboo and tears underscores nature’s ability to absorb and reflect human experiences. Readers are encouraged to sense the undercurrent of nostalgia in the hush of the river’s edge, where ancient myths continue to permeate the landscape. As with many of Liu Yuxi’s works, “Spirit of Xiao and Xiang” interweaves folklore, geography, and personal reflection, reminding us that even mythical sorrow can leave visible imprints for future generations to ponder.
Key points
• Draws upon folklore of the Xiang River, where tears from mythic figures stained bamboo.
• Highlights enduring traces of human sorrow in natural landscapes.
• Merges legend and memory, suggesting that nature silently witnesses love and loss.
• Encourages contemplation of how stories linger through time, shaping both place and imagination.