I was doodling while having breakfast at the HK Skycity Marriott but finalized on the plane heading to Tokyo on Cathay Pacific. The two stanzas contrast between the different perspective of the sexes.
1 月色醉影花迷魂 Inebriated are the shadows under the moon and souls lost to the flowers,
2 波動銀碎亂心神 Spirit in chaos - shattered by the sounds of waves under the silvery beams.
3 寂寞春宵柳堤音And in spring nights ‘tis lonely to hear the sound of willows on the bund,
4 河畔琵琶獻殷勤 Only the lute can offer diligence to soothe [the aching heart].
5 前殿未央接新歡 Received by the outer palace of The-Zenith-Not -Yet-Reached is the new favorite,
6 後宮椒房棄舊人 And abandoned in the inner quarters of the Pepper Room is the former had-been.
7 廣寒嫦娥塵阿嬌 The celestial Moon Goddess and A-Jiao of the mortal realm,
8 天地夢異同一恨 Dreams of theirs may be different but regrets are the same.
4 Reminiscent of The Ballade of the Wandering Lute, 琵琶行
5 A Han Dynasty concept that once the zenith is reached that decay and descent will be the next step. Thus, never to reach the zenith forever flourishing and improvement. 殿 is the administrative palace where the most important functions takes place – commonly known as the outer palace. 宮 is the private quarters of the emperor and his women, thus the inner palace.
6 The Pepper Room is another Western Han Dynasty concept. It is built with bricks imbued with pepper and other parts of the plant. Not only did they keep the room warm but with hygienic and insect repellent purposes from the aroma. This is usually the abode of the empress.
7 The Palace of Great Cold is the lunar palace where Chang-Er, the moon goddess resides. 塵 is a pun for 陳 which has the same pronunciation - the last name of Emperor Han Wu’s first empress before he disposed her of her position.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chang%27e
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chen_Jiao
8 Dreams refer to their lives for Chinese believed that life is but a dream.
Tuesday, November 21, 2023
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