Li Qingzhao: Summer Quatillion

Synopsis

Li Qingzhao's famous five-character quatillion: 'In life, be a hero; in death, be a heroic ghost.'

Original Text

生当作人杰，死亦为鬼雄。
至今思项羽，不肯过江东。

In life, be a hero among men,
In death, be a hero among ghosts.
To this day we remember Xiang Yu,
Who refused to flee across the river.

Overview

"Summer Quatillion" by Li Qingzhao, the greatest female poet in Chinese history, expresses an unyielding spirit through the story of Xiang Yu.

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References

1.古诗文网: https://www.gushiwen.cn/