by Catherine Chen

Wang Wei, one of the greatest poets and artists in Chinese history, has always given the impression of peace and otherworldliness. No one could ever imagine, though, that Wang Wei would have led such a dramatic life.

Born in a famous artistic family in Tang Dynasty China, Wang Wei was a gifted musician, artist and poet who taught himself to play different instruments and to paint at an early age. However, misfortune came to the family when Wang Wei was 9 years old. After his father’s death, his mother took Wang Wei and his five brothers and sister back to her hometown to live a frugal life. Wang Wei then left his family to take examinations in the capital city at age of 15. This is when he wrote his first series of poems that focuses on the spiritual outlook, life path and growth process of teenagers who have travelled far away from home:

《少年行》（其一）

新丰美酒斗十千，

咸阳游侠多少年。

相逢意气为君饮，

系马高楼垂柳边。

The travel of the teenagers (First)

A vessel of wine in Xinfeng is worth ten thousand,

In Xianyang most of the travellers are teenagers.

Sharing like views and tastes they drink heartily to each other,

While their horses are tethered to willows by the restaurant.

This poem writes about a happy gathering and drinking. The first sentence starts with “wine”, for it is considered heroic to drink and get drunk. At that time, drinking was regarded as a good thing because it could stimulate the spirit. In the second sentence, “travellers from Xianyang” is represented by the people adept in martial arts and given to chivalrous conduct from the capital city. The last two sentences of the poem place further emphasis on the enthusiasm and friendship between teenage travellers. Even for strangers that meet by chance, they can become confidants in cups of drinks. Wine is like a mirror, reflecting their frank and magnanimous attitude towards life. The images of the horse and willow is used to offset the youthful style of the young travellers.

Two years later, Wang Wei shocked the whole literary world with ‘Thinking of my Brothers on the Double Ninth Festival in the East of Mount Hua’ at the beginning of the prosperous Tang Dynasty, and started to make his own way in the world:

《九月九日忆山东兄弟》

独在异乡为异客，

每逢佳节倍思亲。

遥知兄弟登高处，

遍插茱萸少一人。

Thinking of my Brothers on the Double Ninth Festival in the East of Mount Hua

All alone in a strange land,

How I long for my folks on this festive day!

Imagine my brothers climbing up the mountain,

Each with dogwood on his head except for the missing one.

The poem was written on the Double Ninth Festival (Chung Yeung Festival), a traditional Chinese festival when families gather together to climb the mountain, worship gods and ancestors, and pray for good fortune and longevity. It is said that wearing dogwood during climbing can give refuge. Wang Wei used this poem to show his homesickness as a traveller in a strange land.

At the age of 21, Wang Wei became the most talented and popular scholar in the Chang’an city (capital of China in Tang Dynasty) following his success on the imperial examination (a nationwide exam that measures intelligence). The dignitaries of Chang 'an were proud to have Wang Wei as a guest in their homes, and Wang Wei’s presence was indicative of the hosts’ good taste. In the span of ten years, however, Wang Wei lost almost everything. From an official in the capital, Wang Wei was framed for disrespecting the Emperor and was sentenced to be a warden of a grain storehouse in a faraway town. This political conspiracy had deeply hurt Wang Wei’s self-esteem, and subsequently influenced the style of his poetry. Within this same period, Wang Wei lost both his wife and his unborn child due to dystocia.

Wang Wei realised that life is a process of letting go and losing, and he began to clear his mind and find inner peace. He bought a villa in the valley of a mountain to spend the rest of his years in peace.

《终南别业》

中岁颇好道，晚家南山陲。

兴来每独往，胜事空自知。

行到水穷处，坐看云起时。

偶然值林叟，谈笑无还期。

On His South Mountain Villa

In my middle-age I was fond of Buddhism,

In my later years I moved to the foot of south mountain.

Whenever I am in the mood I will roam alone,

With the joy all to myself.

Stroll to the end of the river,

Sit down and look up at the floating clouds.

Occasionally, I’ll meet an old man in the forest,

Chatting and laughing all the time, forgetting the time to return.

This poem was written during Wang Wei’s later years, when he lived a semi-reclusive life in his villa. As the political situation around him changed repeatedly, he had already seen the difficulties and dangers of a career in government and wanted to withdraw from public life. The poem expressed Wang Wei’s yearning for the leisure of enjoying himself.

Wang Wei, who lived through all the prosperity in the world, ended his life with nothing. He did not admire glory or wealth, but only sought peace of mind. Wang Wei is remembered by the world to this day, also known as “poetry Buddha”.

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