The Peach Tree

Top listed poem of the classic poem "Shijing"

Original text,

桃夭

桃之天天,灼灼其华,之子于归,宜其室家。

桃之夭天,有蕡其实,之子于归,宜其家室。

桃之天天,其叶蓁蓁,之子于归,宜其家人。

Translation (by Cecile Sun),

The Peach Tree

Luxuriant is the peach tree

How its flowers blaze.

This maiden's marriage.

Bodes well for the home.

Luxuriant is the peach tree.

How its fruit swells.

This maiden's marriage ,

Bodes well for the family.

Luxuriant is the peach tree.

How dense are its leaves.

This maiden's marriage ,

Bodes well for the folks of the family.

Personal notes,

Many scholars hold the belief that the translation of classical Chinese poems into other language is an impossible task. They hold this view because of what they feel are the difficulties in conveying a clear sense of the literary meanings of the Chinese poem and in conveying the poem's emotional and linguistic impact in the original language. Yet, translation of it into English have been done continuously for more than 100 years. Personally, I love the literary beauty of such poems while reading it at spare time. Thus I would also like to share the same to readers who might have the same hobby.

Indeed, there might be differences in the way of translation, the same way I may feel when I read the translated poem from English into Chinese. But it is also the difference that make me feel motivated to study English better so as to be able to read more original poems in English language. Similarly, I really hope that there will be more readers think alike when they are reading my poem appreciation sharing, and work harder to study more about both Chinese language and culture. You will surely find it very interesting and worthwhile doing so.

I am more keen on reading printed books.