About Du Fu
712 - 770
Biography
Biography
Du Fu (712-770), courtesy name Zimei, self-styled Shaoling Yelao, was a great realist poet of the Tang Dynasty, known as the "Sage of Poetry." His ancestral home was Xiangyang (present-day Xiangyang, Hubei), born in Gong County, Henan. Born into an official family, he had an unsuccessful career and lived a wandering life for long periods. He experienced the historical period of Tang Dynasty's transition from prosperity to decline, and his poetry truthfully reflected the social reality of the time. In his later years, he wandered in the southwest and eventually died of illness on a boat in the Xiang River.
Philosophical System
Philosophical System
Du Fu's thoughts centered on Confucian concern for the country and people, with a strong realist spirit. Deeply influenced by Confucian "benevolent governance," he cared about people's livelihood and sympathized with the common people. He had a strong sense of historical responsibility and mission, recording the changes of the times through poetry. He was also influenced by Taoist and Buddhist thoughts, seeking spiritual comfort in hardship. His poetry embodied deep humanistic care and social responsibility.
Major Works
Major Works
Representative works include "Spring View," "My Thatched Roof is Ruined by the Autumn Wind," "Climbing High," "The Prime Minister of Shu," "A Guest Arrives," "Thoughts While Traveling at Night," etc. Over 1,400 poems survive, covering politics, society, people's livelihood, war, and other aspects. His poetry features refined language, neat parallelism, and deep emotion, exemplifying the "melancholy and restrained" style.
Historical Significance
Historical Significance
Du Fu was the greatest realist poet in ancient China, whose poetry is praised as "poetic history," truthfully recording the historical changes of Tang society. He established the tradition of realist poetry and influenced countless later poets. Du Fu's poetry has profound social significance and historical value, becoming important historical material for studying Tang society. His character and poetic quality are highly revered by later generations.
Cultural Influence
Cultural Influence
Du Fu is revered as the "Sage of Poetry," and his realist poetry tradition has influenced Chinese literature for over a thousand years. Poets throughout history have drawn nourishment from Du Fu, learning his spirit of focusing on reality and reflecting people's livelihood. Du Fu's poetic techniques and artistic achievements are also admired by later generations. In modern times, Du Fu is still regarded as a model of ancient Chinese poets, and his works hold an important position in world literary history.
Key Concepts
Key Concepts
Realism (poetic style), concern for country and people (core thought), poetic history (historical value), melancholy and restrained (artistic feature), care for people's livelihood (humanistic spirit), social responsibility (mission), Sage of Poetry (historical status)
Quotes by Du Fu
Explore the essence of this wise thinker's thoughts