Birthday poem · January 27Major Cold, the 24th solar term: the coldest time of the year.
Birth character
雲 yún · cloud
雲 means cloud; the older form 云 shows swirling vapour.
白雲生處有人家
“Where rise white clouds, there appear cottages and bowers.” — Du Mu, ‘Mountain Walk’
Other dates with this poem: November 28
The poem
“Farewell to Dong Da” 別董大
- 千里黃雲白日曛A thousand miles of yellow cloud dim the white sun;
- 北風吹雁雪紛紛the north wind drives the geese through swirling snow.
- 莫愁前路無知己Don't worry that no friend awaits you on the road ahead —
- 天下誰人不識君who under heaven does not know your name?
Why this poem
A farewell in north wind and heavy snow, ending with words of encouragement. A winter poem.
This day in the Chinese calendar
Solar term: Major Cold.