This study investigates the symbolic and emotional functions of natural imagery in the poetry of Li Shangyin, a prominent poet of the late Tang dynasty. In his works, nature is not merely a passive background but an active agent that conveys philosophical reflection and emotional resonance. Natural elements such as falling leaves, flowers, frost, and moonlight symbolize the passage of time and the fleeting nature of life.
The analysis centers on three major themes: the flow of time, the finiteness of human life, and the projection of emotion. Through these lenses, the study explores how Li Shangyin employs nature as a mirror of the poet’s inner landscape and as a metaphor for existential concerns. His use of seasonal cycles and vivid sensory imagery—colors, sounds, and atmospheric changes—enables an emotional depth and creates a poetic space where sentiment and scene blend seamlessly (情景交融).
Nature in his poetry often reflects personal loss, longing, and isolation, especially in times of political instability. The symbolic use of natural elements also helps articulate the poet’s internal struggles, offering a place for emotional release and philosophical contemplation. By viewing nature as a conduit of both emotion and reflection, this study reveals the multidimensional roles that nature plays in shaping the mood and meaning of Li’s poetry.
Ultimately, this research goes beyond rhetorical or descriptive readings to highlight how nature in Li Shangyin’s poetry serves as a complex structure of emotional and philosophical expression. It provides new insight into the intertwining of nature and sentiment in East Asian classical literature and lays the groundwork for future studies that explore the depth and nuance of this relationship.
동북아시아문화학회 [The Association of North-east Asian Cultures]
설립연도
2000
분야
복합학>학제간연구
소개
동북아시아 문화의 다양성과 정체성을 연구 토론하고, 지역내 문화 교류의 다양한 모습을 연구하고 문화변동의 큰 틀을 집적함으로써 우리 민족 문화 및 상대 민족의 문화적 터전을 이해하여 문화공동체적 특성을 계발하고 상호 관련성의 강화를 유도하는 학술활동을 통해 동북아시아의 문화발전에 이바지함.