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The Book of Songs 《诗经》

This page gathers source-linked lines from the Book of Songs that are already used by the English search. Each entry keeps its poem title, original Chinese, pinyin, and explanatory translation.

7 verified lines0 linked authors8 connected themes

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7 curated lines
✓ Verified sourceBilingual

哀哀父母，生我劬劳。

Āi āi fù mǔ, shēng wǒ qú láo.

Close English reading

How sorrowful for my parents, who bore and raised me through such toil.

Plain meaningI remember how much my parents endured to raise me.

Source
Anonymous· Pre-Qin China · Liao E
The Book of Songs
Why it fitsThis is a grieving and retrospective poem, so it suits remembrance and gratitude more than a light celebratory caption.
Original context and translation note
蓼蓼者莪，匪莪伊蒿。哀哀父母，生我劬劳。

English wording on Gu Ren Said is an original reading aid, not a claim that there is only one valid literary translation.

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✓ Verified sourceBilingual

死生契阔，与子成说。执子之手，与子偕老。

Sǐ shēng qì kuò, yǔ zǐ chéng shuō. Zhí zǐ zhī shǒu, yǔ zǐ xié lǎo.

Close English reading

Through life and death, union and separation, I made this pledge with you: holding your hand, I will grow old with you.

Plain meaningI promise to stand with you through life and grow old together.

Source
Anonymous· Pre-Qin China · Ji Gu (Drums)
The Book of Songs
Why it fitsIts language of pledge, hand-holding, and growing old together makes it a powerful expression of enduring commitment.
Original context and translation note
死生契阔，与子成说。执子之手，与子偕老。

The poem's original setting is separation in military service, which gives the promise a more difficult context than a simple wedding slogan.

English wording on Gu Ren Said is an original reading aid, not a claim that there is only one valid literary translation.

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✓ Verified sourceBilingual

桃之夭夭，灼灼其华。之子于归，宜其室家。

Táo zhī yāo yāo, zhuó zhuó qí huá. Zhī zǐ yú guī, yí qí shì jiā.

Close English reading

The peach tree is young and lovely, its blossoms bright. This young woman goes to her marriage; may she bring harmony to her household.

Plain meaningMay the marriage be joyful and the new home flourish.

Source
Anonymous· Pre-Qin China · Tao Yao (The Peach Tree)
The Book of Songs
Why it fitsOne of the best-known traditional Chinese wedding blessings, joining bright blossoms with a harmonious household.
Original context and translation note
桃之夭夭，灼灼其华。之子于归，宜其室家。

English wording on Gu Ren Said is an original reading aid, not a claim that there is only one valid literary translation.

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✓ Verified sourceBilingual

如月之恒，如日之升，如南山之寿，不骞不崩。如松柏之茂，无不尔或承。

Rú yuè zhī héng, rú rì zhī shēng, rú Nán Shān zhī shòu, bù qiān bù bēng. Rú sōng bǎi zhī mào, wú bù ěr huò chéng.

Close English reading

May you endure like the waxing moon, rise like the sun, live as long as the Southern Mountain, unshaken and unfailing; flourish like pine and cypress, with all blessings continuing.

Plain meaningMay your life be long, steady, and ever flourishing.

Source
Anonymous· Pre-Qin China · Tian Bao (Heaven Protects)
The Book of Songs
Why it fitsA classical blessing for longevity and enduring flourishing, built from the moon, sun, mountain, pine, and cypress.
Original context and translation note
天保定尔，亦孔之固。俾尔单厚，何福不除？如月之恒，如日之升，如南山之寿，不骞不崩。如松柏之茂，无不尔或承。

English wording on Gu Ren Said is an original reading aid, not a claim that there is only one valid literary translation.

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巧笑倩兮，美目盼兮。

Qiǎo xiào qiàn xī, měi mù pàn xī.

Close English reading

Her charming smile is lovely; her beautiful eyes glance brightly.

Plain meaningYour smile and your eyes are captivating.

Source
Anonymous· Pre-Qin China · Shuo Ren (The Stately Lady)
The Book of Songs
Why it fitsIt praises beauty through expression and presence rather than a flat statement about appearance.
Original context and translation note
手如柔荑，肤如凝脂，领如蝤蛴，齿如瓠犀。巧笑倩兮，美目盼兮。

English wording on Gu Ren Said is an original reading aid, not a claim that there is only one valid literary translation.

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✓ Verified sourceBilingual

如跂斯翼，如矢斯棘，如鸟斯革，如翚斯飞，君子攸跻。

Rú qí sī yì, rú shǐ sī jí, rú niǎo sī gé, rú huī sī fēi, jūn zǐ yōu jī.

Close English reading

Like one rising on tiptoe, like an arrow set straight, like a bird spreading its wings, like a pheasant in flight—the noble lord ascends it.

Plain meaningMay the new home rise beautifully and become a place of flourishing.

Source
Anonymous· Pre-Qin China · Si Gan (The Mountain Stream)
The Book of Songs
Why it fitsThe original passage praises the form and elevation of a newly built residence through images of wings and flight.
Original context and translation note
如跂斯翼，如矢斯棘，如鸟斯革，如翚斯飞，君子攸跻。

English wording on Gu Ren Said is an original reading aid, not a claim that there is only one valid literary translation.

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✓ Verified sourceBilingual

青青子衿，悠悠我心。

Qīng qīng zǐ jīn, yōu yōu wǒ xīn.

Close English reading

Green, green is your collar; long, long is the yearning in my heart.

Plain meaningYou stay on my mind, and my longing does not fade.

Source
Anonymous· Pre-Qin China · Zi Jin (The Blue Collar)
The Book of Songs
Why it fitsA compact expression of sustained longing for someone who is absent or silent.
Original context and translation note
纵我不往，子宁不嗣音？

The collar identifies the person being longed for; the repeated words make the feeling linger.

English wording on Gu Ren Said is an original reading aid, not a claim that there is only one valid literary translation.

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Explore related themes

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Family & reunionNew beginningsLoveCommitmentBeautyMissing someoneParentsSadness

Early Chinese songs of love, marriage, longing, family, ritual, beauty, and social feeling. This page is a curated bilingual selection, not a claim to translate the complete source.

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