Farewell at Furong Tower to Xin Jian: A Modern Reinterpretation
Farewell at Furong Tower to Xin Jian (芙蓉楼送辛渐) - Wang Changling (王昌龄) -
Cold rain connects the river, entering Wu at night (寒雨连江夜入吴)
At dawn, I see my friend off; Chu Mountain stands alone (平明送客楚山孤)
If friends in Luoyang ask after me (洛阳亲友如相问)
Tell them my heart is a piece of ice in a jade pot (一片冰心在玉壶)
The cold rain stretches along the river, entering the land of Wu at night;
At dawn, I bid farewell to my friend, Chu Mountain stands solitary.
If friends in Luoyang inquire about my well-being,
Tell them my heart is as pure as a piece of ice in a jade pot.
Who was the poet Wang Changling?
Wang Changling (698-756) was a leading poet of the High Tang period, known as the "Master of Seven-Character Quatrains" (七绝圣手). He was famous for his frontier poems depicting the grand scenery of the border regions, but his life was not always smooth.
Despite his exceptional talent, he was repeatedly demoted due to political slander. This poem was written when he was relegated to the minor post of Prefect of Jiangning (江宁丞), while he was in the Wu region.
The Story Behind the Poem
Furong Tower (芙蓉楼) is located on the banks of the Yangtze River, near the border with the Chu region to the northwest. The cold rain that fell all night merges with the river, creating a desolate atmosphere.
Wang Changling's friend, Xin Jian (辛渐), was returning to Luoyang. At dawn, Wang Changling sees his friend off from Furong Tower. The distant Chu Mountain stands alone, its scenery mirroring his own situation of being demoted.
Historical Context
During the Tang Dynasty, even those who passed the imperial examinations were easily sent to the frontier regions due to political factionalism and slander. Wang Changling was one such victim.
A Modern Reinterpretation: Wang Changlings of 2025
Reading this poem, I kept thinking about certain scenes in modern society.
An office worker unfairly transferred to a remote branch. Someone who worked diligently and honestly, but was transferred to an unwanted department due to a conflict with a superior. It's a moment when those around you whisper and it's easy to feel discouraged.
A civil servant or professor demoted due to internal slander. Someone who pointed out something wrong righteously, but instead receives disadvantages. A reality where the price of speaking the truth is demotion.
An employee ostracized after whistleblowing. Someone who reported company corruption but is instead rejected by the organization and pushed into a low-level position.
Wang Changling's Choice: "I Have Not Changed"
The important thing is Wang Changling's attitude. He didn't say to Xin Jian:
* ❌ "Please let people know how unfairly I've been treated."
* ❌ "I can't forgive those who slandered me."
* ❌ "It's all because of them."
Instead, he said:
✅ "Tell them that my heart is still as clear and pure as ice in a jade pot (一片冰心在玉壶)." Isn't this the mentality of a true master?
☯️ Reading Farewell at Furong Tower to Xin Jian through the I Ching Hexagrams
1. The Well (水风井卦) - Unchanging Essence
Symbolism of the Well Hexagram (井卦):
* Well (井) = Water well
* A well provides clear water without leaving its place.
* It symbolizes unchanging virtue even as the world changes.
Hexagram Statement: "The town may be changed, but the well cannot be changed" (井，改邑不改井).
Connection to the Poem:
Cold rain connects the river, entering Wu at night ~> Changes in the external environment (demotion)
Tell them my heart is a piece of ice in a jade pot ~> Unchanging essence like a well
Wang Changling came to the land of Wu after being demoted (改邑), but his integrity did not change (不改井). The ice in the jade pot has the same meaning as the clear spring water deep in the well.
Line 3 of the Well Hexagram: "The well is cleaned, but no one drinks from it" (井渫不食) ~> A situation where a talented person is not utilized, exactly matching Wang Changling's situation.
2. Dispersion (风水涣卦) - Flow Within Dispersion
Symbolism of the Dispersion Hexagram (涣卦):
* Dispersion (涣) = Scattering, dissolving
* The image of ice melting and flowing as water
* A hexagram of separation, but also the beginning of a new flow
Connection to the Poem:
At dawn, I see my friend off; Chu Mountain stands alone ~> Farewell to a friend (涣)
Cold rain connects the river ~> Scattered things gather to form a large flow
Seeing off his friend Xin Jian is a scattering, but through him, his true heart is conveyed to Luoyang. Just as water flows and eventually gathers in the sea, there is a belief that the truth will eventually be revealed.
3. Youthful Folly (山水蒙卦) ~> Transformation to Patience (水天需卦)
Current Situation = Youthful Folly Hexagram (蒙卦):
* Water under the mountain, a state of obscured vision
* "Chu Mountain stands alone" - The mountain blocks the view
* A situation where the truth is obscured and misunderstood
Direction = Patience Hexagram (需卦):
* Clouds under the sky, waiting for rain
* "Cold rain connects the river" - A time of waiting
* Wisdom to protect oneself while waiting for the right time
Wang Changling's Attitude: Not complaining about unfairness (不讼), protecting his essence while waiting for the time (需)
☘️ Analyzing the Structure of the Poem with Astrology (命理学)
Analysis of the Five Elements (五行) Arrangement
This poem shows a perfect structure of Metal generates Water (金水相生).
Step 1: The Energy of Water (水) - Coldness of Reality
Cold rain connects the river, entering Wu at night
* Cold rain (寒雨) = Extreme form of Water (水)
* Connects the river (连江) = Water continues endlessly
* Night (夜) = Emphasizes the Yin (阴) nature of Water
Five Elements Meaning:
* Water symbolizes wisdom, coolness, and flexibility.
* But here it is 'cold (寒)' - too cold water.
* The harsh reality of demotion
Step 2: Isolation of Wood (木) - Disconnection of Relationships
At dawn, I see my friend off; Chu Mountain stands alone
* Chu Mountain (楚山) = Wood (木)
* Alone (孤) = Isolated Wood
Five Elements Meaning:
* Wood symbolizes growth, expansion, and human affection (人情).
* But here it is 'alone (孤)' - a lonely mountain.
* A state where Water generates Wood (水生木) is not achieved.
* Disconnection of human relationships, stagnation of development
Step 3: Appearance of Metal (金) - Integrity and Determination
Tell them my heart is a piece of ice in a jade pot
* Ice (冰) = Crystalline form of Metal (金) (Water freezes and becomes as hard as metal)
* Jade pot (玉壶) = Essence of Metal (金)
Five Elements Meaning:
* Metal symbolizes determination, integrity, justice, and convergence.
* Jade and ice = The purest form of Metal
* Unchanging will and integrity
The Circulation of Metal generating Water (金水相生)
Metal (Integrity) ~> Water (Wisdom) ~> Literature (Sublimation)
Ice Heart in Jade Pot ~> Cold Rain Connects the River ~> Eternal Masterpiece
Astrological Interpretation:
1. If Water (水) is too strong ~> It becomes scattered and loses direction
2. If Metal (金) controls Water ~> The direction of Water is determined (金生水)
3. Refined Water ~> Sublimates into wisdom and literature
Wang Changling experienced the cold reality (寒雨), but protected himself with the integrity of Metal (冰心), and this was born as an immortal masterpiece (the flow of Water).
???? Analysis of the Chart Structure (格局)
Current Chart Structure: Hurting Officer Seeing Official (伤官见官)????
Hurting Officer (伤官):
* Talent, expressiveness, critical spirit
* Wang Changling's outstanding poetic talent and honest character
Proper Official (正官):
* Power, order, social status
* The bureaucratic system of the Tang Dynasty court
Characteristics of Hurting Officer Seeing Official:
* A talented person clashes with power
* Strong conviction that "I am right," unable to compromise
* Result: Demotion, misfortune
Expression in the Poem:
Cold rain connects the river, entering Wu at night At dawn, I see my friend off; Chu Mountain stands alone
Transformed Chart Structure: Hurting Officer Wearing Seal (伤官佩印)????
Seal (印绶):
* Learning, honor, spiritual sublimation
* "Tell them my heart is a piece of ice in a jade pot" is precisely the Seal
Meaning of Hurting Officer Wearing Seal:
* Sublimating talent (伤官) into learning and art (印)
* Transforming worldly failure into spiritual victory
* Adversity gives birth to even greater works
Wang Changling's Choice:
❌ Revenge or resentment (negative manifestation of 伤官)
✅ Literary sublimation (positive transformation of 伤官佩印)
???? Analysis of the Divine Stars (神煞)
Hua Gai Star (华盖星)????
Characteristics:
* A star where artistic talent and loneliness come together
* Keeping distance from the secular world and pursuing the spiritual world
Manifestation in the Poem:
Chu Mountain stands alone Tell them my heart is a piece of ice in a jade pot ~> The loftiness of the Hua Gai Star
Wang Changling reached even deeper artistic heights in the loneliness of his demotion.
???? Heavenly Nobleman (天乙贵人)
Characteristics:
* Not losing dignity even in hardship
* Adversity matures one's character
Manifestation in the Poem:
Even though Wang Changling was demoted:
* His request to his friend is not a resentment but a self-declaration
* Jade Pot Ice Heart = The nobility of the Heavenly Nobleman
???? Analysis of the Favorable Element (用神)
Day Master: Water (水) - Wang Changling himselfExcessive Water: Cold rain connects the river - Adversity and trials
Necessary Favorable Element: Metal (金) - Controls Water and provides direction
Action of the Favorable Element:
Earth (Stability) - None ~> Wandering life
Wood (Growth) - Alone ~> Stagnation of development
Fire (Passion) - None ~> Cold reality
Metal (Integrity) - Ice Heart in Jade Pot ~> The only support!
Water (Wisdom) - Cold rain connects the river ~> Excessive, needs to be controlled
Conclusion: Wang Changling used the integrity of Metal (金) as his favorable element to control excessive Water (水, trials) and sublimate it into literature (also the flow of 水).
Comprehensive Interpretation: The Attitude of a Gentleman Facing Adversity
☯️ I Ching Insights
1. The spirit of the Well Hexagram (井卦): No matter how the world evaluates me, provide clear water like a well in my place.
2. The wisdom of the Patience Hexagram (需卦): Protect oneself while waiting for the time
3. The insight of the Dispersion Hexagram (涣卦): Scattering is not the end but the beginning of a larger flow
???? Astrological Insights
1. Metal Generating Water: Integrity (金) and Wisdom (水) meet and give birth to immortal literature
2. Hurting Officer Wearing Seal: Sublimating talent into creation rather than resentment
3. Hua Gai Star: Transforming loneliness into a driving force for artistic achievement
???? Modern Lesson
“Tell them my heart is a piece of ice in a jade pot” is a valid attitude to life even in 2025.
When unfairly treated:
* ❌ Posting a long explanation on social media
* ❌ Cursing the perpetrator and pretending to be a victim
* ❌ Giving up, saying "The world is unfair."
* ✅ Silently going your own way
* ✅ Believing that time will prove the truth
* ✅ Using adversity as a stepping stone for growth
What if Wang Changling were a modern person?
“Friends in Luoyang, are you worried that I'm having a hard time because I've been transferred to a local branch? No~~~ I'm still living according to my beliefs. Tell them that my heart is as clear as ice in a jade pot.”
In Conclusion
The feelings Wang Changling felt at Furong Tower a thousand years ago - injustice, loneliness, and the pride he wanted to protect - are very familiar to us living in 2025.
The important thing is how we face adversity. Will we waste time on resentment and anger? Or will we protect our essence like “Tell them my heart is a piece of ice in a jade pot” and look to higher places?
Wang Changling made a choice, and that choice resonates with us even now, across a thousand years. What is your “Jade Pot Ice Heart (玉壶冰心)”? ????✨
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