Li Bai's 'Quiet Night Thought' (床前明月光) - Chinese Poem with English Translation

Li Bai's 'Quiet Night Thought' (床前明月光) - Chinese Poem with English Translation

This beloved Chinese poem, written by the renowned Tang Dynasty poet Li Bai, captures the essence of homesickness and the beauty of a quiet night. Let's delve into the poem's meaning with both the original Chinese text and its English translation.

中文原文：

床前明月光，疑是地上霜。 举头望明月，低头思故乡。

英文译文：

'The bright moonlight before my bed, Seems like frost upon the ground. I raise my head to view the moon, Then lower it, missing my hometown.'

Interpretation:

The speaker, likely Li Bai himself, is lying in bed on a moonlit night. The bright moonlight shining through the window seems like frost on the ground, so brilliant is its glow. This initial image evokes a sense of peace and serenity. However, the poem takes a turn with the second stanza. The speaker raises his head to gaze at the moon, but this act of looking up also triggers a wave of longing for his distant hometown. Lowering his head, he finds himself lost in thought, missing the familiar sights and sounds of his home.

This poem beautifully captures the bittersweet feeling of nostalgia. The moon, often a symbol of longing and connection, acts as a catalyst for the speaker's reflections on home. 'Quiet Night Thought' has resonated with readers for centuries, its simple yet powerful imagery touching upon a universal human experience.