Longing in The Lady of Xiang | Generated by AI
I’ll help you with an English introduction to “Xiang Furen” (湘夫人), “The Lady of the Xiang.”
Introduction to “The Lady of the Xiang” (湘夫人)
“The Lady of the Xiang” is one of the most celebrated poems from the Chu Ci (楚辞, “Songs of Chu”), an ancient Chinese poetry collection dating to the Warring States period (475-221 BCE). Traditionally attributed to Qu Yuan (340-278 BCE), though possibly written by other poets of the Chu tradition, this poem is part of the “Nine Songs” (九歌), a group of shamanistic hymns originally used in ritual worship.
The poem portrays a male river deity anxiously awaiting his divine consort, the Lady of the Xiang River, at their appointed meeting place. The speaker prepares elaborate rituals and offerings, decorates a sacred lodge with fragrant herbs and precious materials, yet his beloved fails to appear. The poem expresses profound longing, disappointment, and melancholy through vivid natural imagery—autumn winds, falling leaves, and the flowing waters of the Xiang River in present-day Hunan province.
What makes this poem particularly moving is its ambiguity. On one level, it depicts divine courtship; on another, it’s often read as political allegory—the poet’s longing for an ideal ruler or his grief over exile and separation from his homeland. The rich sensory details, emotional depth, and masterful use of natural symbolism have made “The Lady of the Xiang” a touchstone of Chinese poetry, influencing countless later poets and becoming emblematic of themes of longing, separation, and unfulfilled love in Chinese literary tradition.
Would you like me to discuss any specific aspects of the poem in more detail?