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宋 Song · 词 Ci lyric

念奴娇·中秋

Niannujiao · Mid-Autumn

苏轼

Su Shi

中秋autumn 咏怀memory

凭高眺远,见长空万里,云无留迹。
桂魄飞来光射处,冷浸一天秋碧。
玉宇琼楼,乘鸾来去,人在清凉国。
江山如画,望中烟树历历。
我醉拍手狂歌,举杯邀月,对影成三客。
起舞徘徊风露下,今夕不知何夕。
便欲乘风,翻然归去,何用骑鹏翼。
水晶宫里,一声吹断横笛。

From a height I gaze afar, see endless sky, no cloud left.
The moon's soul flies, its light shoots, coldly soaks the autumn blue.
Jade palaces and jade towers, phoenixes come and go, people in a cool realm.
Rivers and mountains like a painting, in view misty trees are clear.
Drunk, I clap and sing wildly, raise cup to invite the moon, with my shadow make three guests.
Dance and wander under wind and dew, tonight I know not what night it is.
I want to ride the wind, fly back, why need to mount a roc's wings.
In the crystal palace, a note breaks a flute.
Listen

Meaning

The poet climbs high to view the moon, describing the vast and clear autumn sky and moonlit palaces. Then, in a drunken state, he invites the moon and his shadow to drink, expressing a desire to transcend worldly troubles and ascend to the celestial realm, embodying a heroic and detached spirit.

凭高远眺,只见长空万里,云彩没有留下痕迹。桂魄(月华)飞起,光芒照射之处,冷浸着一天秋色碧空。玉宇琼楼,乘鸾来去,人在清凉的国度。江山如画,望中烟树历历在目。我醉后拍手狂歌,举杯邀月,对影成三客。起舞徘徊于风露之下,今夕不知是何夕。便想乘风归去,翻然离去,何必骑鹏翼。水晶宫里,一声吹断横笛。

Appreciation

Composed during Su Shi's exile in Huangzhou, this poem uses the Mid-Autumn moon to express a lofty and heroic mood. The first stanza paints a grand scene of the moonlit sky and mythical palaces, while the second stanza turns inward, borrowing from Li Bai to show solitude amidst revelry. The final image of a flute note shattering silence in the crystal palace captures both boldness and ethereal beauty.

【白话串讲】 苏轼写《念奴娇·中秋》:“凭高眺远,见长空万里,云无留迹”——“桂魄飞来光射处,冷浸一天秋碧”——“玉宇琼楼,乘鸾来去,人在清凉国”——“我醉拍手狂歌,举杯邀月,对影成三客”——他中秋登高——举杯邀月。 【意象与手法】 此词写中秋月夜的清凉境界与超然情怀,是苏轼咏月词的名篇。上片写景:起句「凭高眺远,见长空万里,云无留迹」写登高远眺,长空万里无云,境界开阔;「桂魄飞来光射处,冷浸一天秋碧」写月华初升、冷光浸碧,是写中秋月的名句;「玉宇琼楼,乘鸾来去,人在清凉国」写想象中的月宫仙境;「江山如画,望中烟树历历」写月下江山。下片写情:「我醉拍手狂歌,举杯邀月,对影成三客」化用李白「举杯邀明月,对影成三人」,写醉中狂歌、邀月对影;「起舞徘徊风露下,今夕不知何夕」写月下起舞的忘我;「便欲乘风,翻然归去,何用骑鹏翼」写乘风归去的超然;结句「水晶宫里,一声吹断横笛」以笛声收束,清越超逸。全词以月写超然,正是苏轼「清旷」词风的代表。 【情感与主旨】 此词作于宋神宗元丰五年(1082)中秋,时苏轼谪居黄州。苏轼因「乌台诗案」被贬黄州(今湖北黄冈),任团练副使,政治上失意,然其于黄州期间,寄情山水,旷达自适,写下了《念奴娇·赤壁怀古》《水调歌头》等名篇。此词写中秋月夜,登高远眺,以月宫的清凉境界写超然尘外之志;「我醉拍手狂歌,举杯邀月,对影成三客」化用李白《月下独酌》,写醉中的旷达;「便欲乘风,翻然归去,何用骑鹏翼」写欲乘风归去、遗世独立,正是苏轼贬谪中的超脱。全词以月写超然,寄寓了诗人身处逆境而旷达自适的情怀。 【名句点睛】 常考「凭高眺远,见长空万里,云无留迹」的开阔境界;「桂魄飞来光射处,冷浸一天秋碧」写中秋月的名句;「我醉拍手狂歌,举杯邀月,对影成三客」化用李白《月下独酌》;「便欲乘风,翻然归去,何用骑鹏翼」的超然之志;结句「水晶宫里,一声吹断横笛」的清越收束;以及全词清旷超逸的词风,与《水调歌头·明月几时有》的联系。

Background

This poem was written around the Yuanfeng era of Emperor Shenzong of Song, when Su Shi was exiled to Huangzhou. On the night of the Mid-Autumn Festival, the poet ascended a height to gaze at the moon, using the celestial realm to soothe his loneliness and frustration. Unlike typical laments over autumn or the moon, this work displays a free-spirited heroism, matching his famous 'Shuidiao Getou' as a twin masterpiece on the Mid-Autumn theme.

此词作于宋神宗元丰五年(1082)中秋,时苏轼谪居黄州(今湖北黄冈)。苏轼(1037—1101),字子瞻,号东坡居士,眉州眉山(今四川眉山)人,北宋文学家、书画家,唐宋八大家之一。元丰二年(1079),苏轼因诗文被指「讥讽朝廷」而下御史台狱,史称「乌台诗案」,次年(1080)被贬为黄州团练副使。在黄州期间,苏轼政治上失意,然其寄情山水,躬耕东坡,旷达自适,写下了《念奴娇·赤壁怀古》《水调歌头·明月几时有》《赤壁赋》等千古名篇。此词写于元丰五年中秋,正是苏轼谪居黄州的第三年。中秋之夜,苏轼登高赏月,长空万里无云,月华初升,冷浸秋碧,遂写下此词。词中「凭高眺远,见长空万里,云无留迹」写中秋夜空的清朗,「桂魄飞来光射处,冷浸一天秋碧」写月华的清冷,「玉宇琼楼,乘鸾来去,人在清凉国」写想象中的月宫仙境,「我醉拍手狂歌,举杯邀月,对影成三客」化用李白《月下独酌》「举杯邀明月,对影成三人」,写醉中的旷达,「便欲乘风,翻然归去,何用骑鹏翼」写欲乘风归去、遗世独立。全词以中秋月夜为背景,写尽诗人身处贬谪而旷达超然的情怀,是理解苏轼黄州时期心境的要篇,也是其「清旷」词风的代表。

Art

The first stanza describes the moonlit scene, moving from vast sky and clear clouds to the moon's cold light and jade palaces, gradually shifting from reality to fantasy. The second stanza turns to the poet's drunken invitation of the moon and shadow, creatively adapting lines from Li Bai. The closing line 'a note breaks a flute in the crystal palace' uses sound to break the quiet, creating a clear and heroic image that blends passion with immortal spirit, showcasing Su Shi's characteristic boldness and freedom.

此词的艺术特色可从四个方面解析。其一,以开阔写清朗的起笔。起句「凭高眺远,见长空万里,云无留迹」写登高远眺——「凭高眺远」写登高望远,「长空万里,云无留迹」写天空澄澈无云,以「万里」「无留迹」写中秋夜空的清朗开阔,为全词定下清旷的基调。其二,以光写秋月的妙笔。「桂魄飞来光射处,冷浸一天秋碧」写月华初升——「桂魄」以月中桂树代指月亮,「光射处」写月光照射,「冷浸一天秋碧」写冷光浸透碧空,以「冷」字写月光的清冷,以「浸」字写月光之弥漫,是写中秋月的名句。其三,以想象写月宫的仙境。「玉宇琼楼,乘鸾来去,人在清凉国」写想象中的月宫——玉宇琼楼、乘鸾仙子,写月宫的清冷与仙境之美,寄寓诗人对超然境界的向往。其四,以狂歌写旷达的收束。「我醉拍手狂歌,举杯邀月,对影成三客」化用李白诗,写醉中邀月对影的旷达;「便欲乘风,翻然归去,何用骑鹏翼」写欲乘风归去的超然;结句「水晶宫里,一声吹断横笛」以笛声收束,清越超逸,余音袅袅。四重手法,使此词以月写超然,正是苏轼「清旷」词风的代表。

Allusions

The phrase 'phoenixes come and go' alludes to the legend of moon palace fairies. 'Raise cup to invite the moon, with my shadow make three guests' derives from Li Bai's 'Drinking Alone Under the Moon'. 'Roc's wings' comes from Zhuangzi's 'Free and Easy Wandering'. The 'crystal palace' refers to the moon palace. Su Shi weaves these mythical and philosophical elements into a grand, imaginative landscape.

此词的用语深植于咏月与超然的传统。「桂魄」以月中桂树代指月亮,令人想到「桂魄初生秋露微」(王维《秋夜曲》)的月意象,也令人想到「吴刚伐桂」的月宫传说;「玉宇琼楼」写月宫的琼楼玉宇,令人想到「琼楼玉宇,高处不胜寒」(苏轼《水调歌头·明月几时有》)的月宫意象,也令人想到「天上宫阙」的仙家传统;「乘鸾来去」令人想到「萧史弄玉,乘凤(鸾)飞去」的成仙传说,也令人想到「鸾驾」的仙家意象;「清凉国」令人想到「月宫清凉」的意象,也令人想到「清凉世界」的佛家传统;「举杯邀月,对影成三客」直接化用李白《月下独酌》「举杯邀明月,对影成三人」,写独酌邀月的旷达;「乘风归去」令人想到《列子》「列子御风而行」的逍遥,也令人想到「我欲乘风归去」(苏轼《水调歌头》)的超然;「骑鹏翼」令人想到《庄子·逍遥游》「鹏之背,不知其几千里也」的大鹏,也令人想到「扶摇直上九万里」的逍遥意象;「水晶宫」令人想到「水晶宫」的月宫别称,也令人想到「龙宫」的传说;「吹断横笛」令人想到「玉笛声断」的笛声意象,也令人想到「余音绕梁」的笛声传统。全词化用咏月、仙家、大鹏、笛声的传统意象,以月写超然,正是苏轼「清旷」词风的本领。

Commentary

This poem is often paired with 'Shuidiao Getou' as a masterpiece on the Mid-Autumn Festival. Critics note its transcendent quality, capturing both heroic spirit and ethereal grace. The Qing scholar praised Su Shi's 词 as 'pointing the upward way, refreshing the world's ears and eyes'. This work, with its clear and lofty depiction of the moon, exemplifies that 'unfettered and noble spirit'.

此词历来被推为苏轼中秋咏月词的名篇,也是其「清旷」词风的代表。历代论者对此词评价极高:清人评此词「清空超逸,飘飘有凌云之气」;近人更指出「桂魄飞来光射处,冷浸一天秋碧」写中秋月清冷,「便欲乘风,翻然归去」写超然之志,是苏轼咏月词的典范。在词史上,此词的特殊价值在于:它以中秋月夜写尽诗人贬谪中的超然——那万里无云的长空,那冷浸秋碧的桂魄,那乘鸾来去的玉宇琼楼,那举杯邀月的狂歌,那乘风归去的超然,那吹断横笛的清越,都写尽了这位「东坡居士」身处逆境而旷达自适的情怀;那「便欲乘风,翻然归去」更与《水调歌头》「我欲乘风归去」一脉相承。此词与苏轼的《水调歌头·明月几时有》(「明月几时有,把酒问青天」)同为中秋咏月名篇,一写对月怀人、但愿人长久,一写登高望月、乘风归去;又与《念奴娇·赤壁怀古》(「大江东去」)同为「念奴娇」词牌,可见苏轼此调既能豪放又能清旷。对于今日读者,此词是理解苏轼黄州时期心境与「清旷」词风的窗口,也是中国词写中秋月的经典——那清凉的月宫、吹断的横笛,穿越千年,仍在诉说着一位诗人贬谪中的超然。

Prosody

Form 词·念奴娇 (Niannujiao style, 100 characters)词·《念奴娇》双调长调(一百字)
Rhyme Enters tone rhyme (迹, 碧, 国, 历, 客, 夕, 翼, 笛, matching Su Shi's usage)全词押仄声入声韵(迹、碧、国、历、客、夕、翼、笛),入声韵短促,正合清越的词风
Tone pattern Oblique tone pattern, irregular line lengths, angular rhythm此词为「念奴娇」词牌,双调一百字,上片四十九字、下片五十一字,句式长短错落,节奏于整饬中见起伏。
Reading note This tune often uses oblique tones and a high-pitched rhythm, suitable for heroic emotions, matching the clear and heroic tone of this Mid-Autumn piece.《念奴娇》为双调长调,全词一百字,上下片各十句。此调句式长短错落,上片以「凭高眺远,见长空万里,云无留迹」的四、五、六言起,中段「桂魄飞来光射处,冷浸一天秋碧」的七、六言相间,结以「江山如画,望中烟树历历」的四、六言;下片「我醉拍手狂歌,举杯邀月,对影成三客」的七、四、五言错落,结以「水晶宫里,一声吹断横笛」的四、六言。苏轼填此调,押仄声入声韵,韵脚「迹、碧、国、历、客、夕、翼、笛」皆入声,短促有力,正合清越的词风。全词上片写景、下片抒情,上片以「长空万里」「冷浸秋碧」写中秋月夜的清朗,下片以「狂歌」「乘风」「吹断横笛」写超然情怀,声随情转,清越超逸。诵读此词,宜以开阔的语调读「凭高眺远」的开篇,以清冷的语调读「冷浸一天秋碧」,以旷达的语调读「举杯邀月」「乘风归去」,结句「水晶宫里,一声吹断横笛」要读得清越而有余响,方能传达出苏轼的清旷与超然。

Line by line

桂魄飞来光射处,冷浸一天秋碧

The moon's light, where it strikes, soaks the whole autumn sky in cold blue.

月华飞起,光芒照射之处,冷光浸透了一天秋色的碧空。

The moon comes flying, and where its light strikes, it soaks the whole autumn-blue sky with cold.

此句是全词写中秋月的点睛之笔,也是千古名句,以光写月,清冷入骨。「桂魄飞来光射处」写月华初升——那「桂魄」以月中桂树代指月亮,那「飞来」写月华飞起,「光射处」写月光照射之处,写月出东方的光景;「冷浸一天秋碧」写冷光浸透碧空——那「冷浸」写冷光浸透,那「一天秋碧」写满天的秋色碧空,以「冷」「浸」写月光之清冷与弥漫。这句的深意在于:它以「冷浸一天秋碧」写中秋月的清冷光辉——月亮升起,光芒照射,那冷光仿佛浸透了整个碧空,秋色与月光交融;那「冷」字写尽月光的清冷,那「浸」字写尽月光的弥漫,「一天秋碧」更写尽月下天宇的澄澈,写尽中秋月夜的清凉境界。若换作直说「月亮很亮」,则失其清冷与境界;唯以「桂魄飞来」写月出、「冷浸一天秋碧」写月光,写尽中秋月的清冷与中秋夜的空阔,也让此句成为写中秋月的千古名句。「桂魄」指月亮(月中有桂树),「飞来」写月出之迅,「冷浸」写月光之冷,月光浸染一天秋碧,正是清冷而空阔的中秋月夜。

The moon. The moon's light, where it strikes, soaks the whole autumn sky in cold blue. The moon's-light-strikes and the soaks-autumn-sky-cold-blue are the luminous opening. To have struck would be a striking; the the-moon's-light-where-it-strikes-soaks-the-whole-autumn-sky-in-cold-blue is the striking.

我醉拍手狂歌,举杯邀月,对影成三客

Drunk, I clap and sing wildly, raise cup to invite the moon, with my shadow make three guests. Borrowed from Li Bai but deepened with personal exile and solitude.

我醉后拍手狂歌,举杯邀月,对影成三客。

Drunk, I clap my hands and sing wildly; raising my cup I invite the moon, and with my shadow we make three.

此句写醉中的旷达,化用李白《月下独酌》,是理解全词超然情怀的关键。「我醉拍手狂歌」写醉后拍手狂歌——那「我醉」写醉意,那「拍手狂歌」写拍手高歌的狂放,写尽醉中的放纵;「举杯邀月,对影成三客」写举杯邀月、对影成三——那「举杯邀月」写举起酒杯邀请月亮,那「对影成三客」写人与月、影成三个,化用李白「举杯邀明月,对影成三人」。这句的深意在于:它以醉中的狂歌与邀月对影,写尽苏轼的旷达——中秋月夜,诗人独处,醉后拍手狂歌,举杯邀月,与月、影对饮,那「狂歌」写尽醉中的忘我,那「邀月对影」写尽独处中的自我排遣;诗人虽孤身谪居,却能以月、影为伴,狂歌对饮,正见其旷达超然。若换作直说「我一个人喝酒」,则失其旷达;唯以「拍手狂歌」「举杯邀月,对影成三客」写醉中的狂放与自我排遣,写尽苏轼身处贬谪的旷达,也让此句成为全词最见性情的一笔。化用李白「举杯邀明月,对影成三人」之句,而更见狂放。

The three. Drunk, I clap my hands and sing wildly; raising my cup I invite the moon, and with my shadow we make three. The drunk-clap-sing-wildly and the raise-cup-invite-moon-shadow-three are the Li Bai allusion. To have clapped and sung would be a clapping; the drunk-i-clap-my-hands-and-sing-wildly-raising-my-cup-i-invite-the-moon-and-with-my-shadow-we-make-three is the clapping.

便欲乘风,翻然归去,何用骑鹏翼

I want to ride the wind, fly back, why need a roc's wings? Uses Zhuangzi's roc to assert that spiritual freedom needs no external aid.

便想乘风归去,翻然离去,何必骑鹏翼。

I would ride the wind and fly home at once—why need the Peng's wings?

此句写欲乘风归去的超然之志,是全词的主旨所在。「便欲乘风,翻然归去」写想乘风归去——那「便欲乘风」写便想乘风而去,那「翻然归去」写翩然离去,写欲脱离尘世、乘风归去的愿望;「何用骑鹏翼」写何必骑鹏翼——那「何用」写何必,那「骑鹏翼」写骑着大鹏的翅膀(用《庄子·逍遥游》大鹏之典),写不必借助大鹏也能归去。这句的深意在于:它以「乘风归去」写超然尘外之志——中秋月夜,诗人登高望月,面对清凉的月宫境界,便想乘风归去,翩然离开尘世;那「便欲乘风」写尽归去的愿望,那「何用骑鹏翼」更写不必借助外力、自可超然,写尽苏轼的自信与超脱;月宫清凉,正可托身,诗人虽身处贬谪,却能以超然之姿遗世独立。若换作直说「我想离开这里」,则失其超然;唯以「乘风」「骑鹏翼」写超然归去,写尽苏轼遗世独立的旷达,也让此句成为全词超然情怀的凝结点。暗用《庄子》大鹏「扶摇而上九万里」之典,而「何用」二字更见蔑视一切依凭的超然。

The Peng. I would ride the wind and fly home at once—why need the Peng's wings? The ride-wind-fly-home and the why-need-Peng's-wings are the Zhuangzi allusion. To have ridden the wind would be a riding; the i-would-ride-the-wind-and-fly-home-at-once-why-need-the-peng's-wings is the riding.

Study

Word focus

冷 A key expression in the poem. Read it as an image, mood, or grammar point in context. 「冷浸一天秋碧」之「冷」字是写中秋月的关键字,一个「冷」字写尽月光的清冷。冷者,清冷、寒冷也。苏轼以「冷浸」写月光,这个「冷」字至少有双重意味:其一,写月光之冷——那「冷浸」写冷光浸透碧空,那「冷」字写尽中秋月光的清冷皎洁;其二,写境界之清——那「冷」字更是写境界——月宫清凉,冷浸秋碧,那「冷」字写尽中秋月夜的清凉境界,也暗写诗人超然尘外的清冷心境。以「冷」字写月,正是苏轼写中秋月的枢纽——若换作「清」「明」等字,则或失其与「浸」的配合,或失其清冷的力度;唯「冷」字,以一字写尽月光的清冷与中秋夜境的清凉,与「浸」「一天秋碧」相合,写尽中秋月的清辉与清旷的境界,也让「冷浸一天秋碧」成为写中秋月的千古名句。
乘 A key expression in the poem. Read it as an image, mood, or grammar point in context. 「便欲乘风,翻然归去」之「乘」字是写超然的关键字,一个「乘」字写尽乘风归去的超脱。乘者,乘坐、驾驭也。苏轼以「乘风」写归去,这个「乘」字至少有双重意味:其一,写乘御之自由——那「乘风」写乘着风,那「乘」字写御风而行的自由,写尽超然物外的逍遥;其二,写归去之决绝——那「乘」字更是写归去的姿态——便欲乘风归去,那「乘」字写尽翩然归去、不假外物的超脱。以「乘」字写超然,正是苏轼写旷达的枢纽——若换作「御」「随」等字,则或失其与「风」的契合,或失其决绝;唯「乘」字,以一字写尽乘风归去的自由与决绝,与「何用骑鹏翼」的超然相合,写尽苏轼遗世独立的旷达,也让「便欲乘风,翻然归去」成为全词超然情怀的凝结点。

Related Reading

水调歌头·明月几时有 Shuidiao Getou · When Will the Moon Appear 苏轼 · 同苏轼中秋咏月,一怀人一超然 Same author, similar theme

Both are Mid-Autumn poems by Su Shi. 'Shuidiao' questions heaven and moon with philosophical detachment, while this poem gazes at the moon from a height with heroic clarity. Compare their moods and artistic approaches.

《水调歌头·明月几时有》「明月几时有,把酒问青天」「但愿人长久,千里共婵娟」写中秋对月怀人,是苏轼最著名的中秋词。此词《念奴娇·中秋》则「冷浸一天秋碧」「便欲乘风,翻然归去」写中秋望月的超然。同为苏轼中秋咏月,一写「但愿人长久」的怀人之愿(水调歌头),一写「何用骑鹏翼」的超然之志(念奴娇);一以「高处不胜寒」写月宫,一以「玉宇琼楼」写清凉国。两词对读,可见苏轼中秋词既怀人又超然的丰富情怀。

把酒问月 Raising My Cup, I Question the Moon 李白 · 同写对月与超然,一唐诗一词 Related reading

Compare this related work with the poem above through theme, imagery, tone, and emotional movement.

李白《把酒问月》「青天有月来几时,我今停杯一问之」「今人不见古时月,今月曾经照古人」写对月问天与人生感慨,是李白咏月的名篇。此词《念奴娇·中秋》则「举杯邀月,对影成三客」「便欲乘风,翻然归去」写中秋望月的超然。同为写对月与超然,一写「今人不见古时月」的宇宙之思(把酒问月),一写「乘风归去」的超然之志(念奴娇中秋);一以「古人今人若流水」写人生,一以「举杯邀月对影」写旷达。两篇对读,可见李白与苏轼咏月的不同情怀。