Su Shi

苏轼

Northern Song (1037-1101)

6 Quotes

Biography

Northern Song Dynasty writer, calligrapher, and painter

About Su Shi

1037 - 1101

Biography

Su Shi (1037-1101), courtesy name Zizhan, literary name Dongpo Jushi, was a famous writer, calligrapher, painter, and politician of the Northern Song Dynasty, one of the "Eight Great Prose Masters of Tang and Song." Born in Meishan, Meizhou (present-day Meishan, Sichuan) into a scholarly family. He passed the imperial examination in 1057 and served as prefect in various places. Due to opposition to Wang Anshi's reforms, he was repeatedly demoted to Huangzhou, Huizhou, and Danzhou. Despite a tumultuous life, he maintained an optimistic and open-minded attitude. He achieved remarkable literary accomplishments in poetry, ci poetry, prose, calligraphy, and painting.

Philosophical System

Su Shi's thoughts integrated Confucian, Taoist, and Buddhist spirits, forming a unique life philosophy. Based on Confucian active engagement with the world, he also absorbed Taoist transcendence and Buddhist spirituality. When facing life's setbacks, he showed an open-minded attitude of "letting life's storms come as they may." He emphasized the spiritual realm of "forgetting both self and objects," pursuing inner peace and freedom. In literary creation, he advocated "literature carries the Way" but was not bound by dogma, focusing on authentic emotional expression.

Major Works

Representative works include "Remembering Red Cliff" (Nian Nu Jiao), "When Will the Bright Moon Appear" (Shui Diao Ge Tou), "Hunting in Mizhou" (Jiang Cheng Zi), "Don't Listen to Rain Beating Leaves" (Ding Feng Bo), "Red Cliff Rhapsody," "Second Red Cliff Rhapsody," "Night Visit to Chengtian Temple," etc. Over 4,000 poems and ci survive, along with numerous prose works. His works cover wide themes with diverse styles, including both bold and magnificent pieces as well as fresh and graceful chapters.

Historical Significance

Su Shi was a literary giant in Chinese literary history, whose achievements hold important positions in Song Dynasty and entire Chinese literary history. He pioneered the bold and unconstrained ci poetry school, expanding the themes and techniques of ci. His prose achievements were outstanding, earning him the title "Han Tide, Su Sea" alongside Han Yu. His optimistic and open-minded life attitude and profound cultural cultivation influenced countless later literati. Su Shi's personal charm and literary achievements made him an important symbol of Chinese culture.

Cultural Influence

Su Shi is praised as an "eternal romantic figure," whose literary achievements and personal charm have influenced Chinese culture for over a thousand years. Literati throughout history have drawn nourishment from Su Shi, learning his open-minded life attitude and superb literary skills. Su Shi's works are widely recited, with many famous lines becoming classics. In modern times, Su Shi remains one of the most popular ancient literati, with his works and thoughts spreading worldwide.

Key Concepts

Bold and unconstrained ci school (literary school), letting life's storms come as they may (life attitude), forgetting both self and objects (spiritual realm), literature carries the Way (literary concept), integration of Confucianism, Taoism, and Buddhism (thought characteristics), optimistic and open-minded (character trait), eternal romantic figure (historical evaluation)