Pure Brightness
By Dumu （Tang Dynasty）
It’s drizzling during the Pure Brightness Day,
Pedestrians are down in spirits on their way.
Someone asks where to find a wineshop near,
Shepherd boy points to the village in the depths of apricot flowers.
清明
杜牧 （唐）
清明时节雨纷纷，路上行人欲断魂。
借问酒家何处有，牧童遥指杏花村。
Creative background of Pure Brightness
This poem is believed to have been written in the sixth year of Huichang of emperor Wuzong of the Tang Dynasty (846), when Du Mu was the governor of Chizhou.
That day was Qingming Festival, the poet was waking on the road but he met the suddenly rain, then created this poem by combining what he saw and heard with his emotions. At fact, the mood of the poet was the same with pedestrians’, melancholy but hopeful, because “Qingming Festival” is not only Tomb Sweeping Day, but also Pure Brightness Day which is one of the 24 solar terms representing spring.
Introduction of related words
1.Qingming: Pure Brightness is one of the 24 solar terms, it’s the 5th solar term, from the 108th day (April 4/5/6) after the Winter Solstice, it’s all 15days.
Tomb Sweeping Day is on 4th.April or about.
2.the village in the depths of apricot flowers:/Apricot Flower Village: It’s located outside Xiushan gate, Guichi District, Chizhou, Anhui Province, but not a really name of a village.
later generations often use " Apricot Flower Village " as the name of the wine store due to this poem. Besides, “Apricot Flower Village” is also a kind of Fen liquor.
About Qingming
“Qingming” Festival is the time when winter goes and spring comes. It is also the time when cold and warm air meet. It is easy to form rainfall. Therefore, it is always cloudy and rainy every day. Another point is that in spring, there is more low pressure and more water vapor in the atmosphere. It is easy to have cloudy and rainy weather.
- As one of the 24solar terms, “Qingming” is the 5th and called Pure Brightness Solar term, the Pure Brightness Day is on 4th or 5th /6th April every year.
Pure Brightness Solar term starts from the 108th day after the Winter Solstice, it’s all 15days.
When the sun reaches 15 ° of the celestial longitude, it is Qingming. During this solar term, the air is clear and the scenery is bright. Everything is obvious, so it is named Pure Brightness. It’s a good time for spring ploughing and spring planting.
- As one of Chinese traditional festivals, “Qingming” is called Tomb Sweeping Day and takes place on 4th April or about.
Tomb Sweeping Day originated from the ancestors' beliefs and rites for ancestor-worshipping in spring in ancient times. It has both natural and humanistic connotations. It is not only a natural solar term, but also a traditional festival. Tomb sweeping for ancestor and spring outing are the two major etiquette and customs themes of Qingming Festival.
About Du Mu
DuMu is an outstanding poet of Tang Dynasty and created the peak of poetry in the late Tang Dynasty.
He wrote many famous poems and there were many interesting experiences in his life. (More introduction about Du MU will be recorded later.)
