Hello! You might know me as Yiling from Taming Wangxian. I’ve been pretty interested in SHL meta for a while now so I’ve decided to run a separate tumblr for this. There are a lot of poetry references that have yet to be analysed and the c meta is teeming with them. So I’m really excited to share these meta with everyone.

Other translations I’m working on:

And oh, if you like what I write, please support me! If needed, you can also contact me on Twitter, Reddit or my personal tumblr. Thanks for reading! Index page below the cut

Ooh okay! Any specific part/question though? XD (I'll be posting the analysis on @liberty-or-death btw)

SHL Poetry Analysis Episode 4

SHL Episode 4! These poetry are written in sequential order, so I’d suggest you read this while you watch the show. Please click on the links if you’re keen to know more.

If you like my analysis, feel free to support me!

1. 岂不闻倾盖如故，白首如新 (Qǐ bù wén qīng gài rúgù, bái shǒu rú xīn) (tumblr)

Meaning: our feelings will last till we’re old and grey

Setting: Zhou Zishu and Zhang Chengling are trying to leave the city when they bump into Wen Kexing.  Wen Kexing lends them horses and he describes his relationship with Zhou Zishu as such. 

2. 如此星辰如此夜，正宜对酒当歌 (Rúcǐ xīngchén rúcǐ yè, zhèngyí duì jiǔ dāng gē) (tumblr)

Meaning: with the stars in the sky, it’s prefect for a drink (For whom did I blow the Xiao for?) (this is pretty romantic LOL)

Setting: Zhou Zishu and Zhang Chengling are sitting by the river when Wen Kexing and Guxiang joins them.  Wen Kexing then quotes this lines to describe the night. 

3. 太湖三白天下鲜 (Tàihú sān bái tiānxià xiān) (tumblr)

Meaning: Lake Tai’s renowned for its three species of fish

Setting: Wen Kexing judges Zhou Zishu’s poorly cooked fish LOL

4. 天上浮云似白衣，斯须改变如苍狗 (Tiānshàng fúyún shì báiyī, sī xū gǎibiàn rú cāng gǒu”) (tumblr)

Meaning: the clouds in the sky are like white clothes, but soon they’ll start turning into black dogs (the world is an uncertain place)

Setting: Wen Kexing joins Zhou Zishu and Zhang Chengling by the fire.  He uses this poem as an opening statement to prod into the origins of Zhou Zishu’s sword. 

5. 树欲静而风不止，子欲养而亲不待，世间事多半都是这样的。(Shù yù jìng ér fēng bùzhǐ, zi yù yǎng ér qīn bùdài, shìjiān shì duōbàn dōu shì zhèyàng de.) (tumblr)

Meaning: when one wants to be filial to their parents, it’s already too late

Setting: Zhou Zishu scolds Zhang Chengling.  Wen Kexing then tries to console him.

6. 眼观鼻，鼻观心，五心朝天，合气汇丹田 (Yǎn guān bí, bí guān xīn, wǔ xīn cháotiān, hé qì huì dāntián) (tumblr)

Meaning: to concentrate, sit in the double plate position, concentrate your energy into your dantian.

Setting: Zhou Zishu’s teaching Zhang Chengling to meditate.

7. 岂不闻烈女怕缠郎，那个，有志者事竟成 (Qǐ bù wén liènǚ pà chán láng, nàgè, yǒuzhì zhě shì jìng chéng)

Meaning: the fiery woman’s afraid of the clingy man, when there’s a will there’s a way.

Setting: Wen Kexing tells Zhang Chengling not to give up and persuade Zhou Zishu to take him under his wing. 

Zhou Zishu's Meditation Guide (Episode 4)

Omg the YouTube subs were so bad. If you were relying of the subs I’m quite sure you didn’t understand what he meant xD “be absorbed in and push your gas to your suprapubic area LOL” SORRY I CAN’T NOOOO

In Episode 4, Zhou Zishu teaches Zhang Chengling to mediate using the following steps, “眼观鼻，鼻观心，五心朝天，合气汇丹田”. We need to break the sentence down to understand what he’s saying.

Wen Kexing Poetry Analysis Episode 4 - “when one wants to be filial to their parents, it’s already too late”

In Episode 4, Zhou Zishu scolds Zhang Chengling. Wen Kexing then tries to console him, and recites this poem.

This line comes from “Confucius’s Family Volume 8” (孔子家语卷二 ·致思第八). It can be interpreted as follows

The world is unpredictable, this is how it is. This poem has two meanings

Again, the scriptwriter is using this as a form of foreshadowing using both interpretations.

Resources: (1)

Wkx judges zzs’s poorly cooked fish as he says this. Lit translated as “Lake Tai’s famous for its three species of fish. This species are - Ray finned fish (Anabarilius), icefishes and King prawn. The Lake Tai’s located in the Jiangsu provinces and its one of the largest freshwater lake in China. (So now you know where this scene takes place lmao) And omg it’s so pretty.

SHL Poetry Analysis Episode 3

SHL Episode 3! These poetry are written in sequential order, so I’d suggest you read this while you watch the show. Please click on the links if you’re keen to know more.

If you like my analysis, feel free to support me! 1. 无非就是贪嗔痴三个字 (Wúfēi jiùshì tān chēn chī sān gè zì) (tumblr)

Meaning: Without a doubt, this is greed, ignorance and hatred”

Setting: Zhou Zishu criticises the actions of the people in the Jianghu. (This is a joint meta with Jiang CHeng's Sandu)

2. 天下本无事，庸人自扰之 (Tiānxià běn wú shì, yōngrénzìrǎo zhī) Meaning: The world was at peace, the mediocre man creates trouble. Setting: Wen Kexing criticises the actions of the Jianghu (with relation to the glazed armour) 3. 有道是平生不做亏心事，夜半不怕鬼敲门 (Yǒu dào shì píngshēng bù zuò kuīxīn shì, yèbàn bùpà guǐ qiāo mén)

Meaning: “If you aren’t guilty of anything, you won’t be afraid of ghosts knocking on the door.” Setting: Liu Weng ridicules Shen Shen when his clan was destroyed by the Ghosts.

4. 沧浪之水清兮，可以濯我缨.  沧浪之水浊兮，可以濯我足 (Cāng láng zhī shuǐ qīng xī, kěyǐ zhuó wǒ yīng. Cāng láng zhī shuǐ zhuó xī, kěyǐ zhuó wǒ zú) (tumblr) Meaning: When the water is clear, it can be used to wash the crown, When the water is muddy, it can be used to wash one’s feet (twin meta interpretation with possible foreshadowing)

Setting: Wen Kexing meets Zhou Zishu by the lake. (personally this is my favourite because there are two interpretations to this)

5. 三生石上旧精魂 (sān shēng shí shàng jiù jīng hún) (tumblr) Meaning: the spirit of the three life stone/with our love, death will not do us apart

Setting: Wen Kexing sits in the inn and waits for Zhou Zishu to arrive.

6. 庐山真面目 (Lúshān zhēnmiànmù) (tumblr)

Meaning: "let me see your true face"

Setting: Zhou Zishu asks Wen Kexing what he wants, to which the later says "to see your true face."wenz

Wen Kexing poetry Episode 3 - 庐山真面目 "I want to see your true face"

Honestly I just love how the scriptwriter uses poetry to foreshadow future events.

In Episode 3, Zhou Zishu asks Wen Kexing what does he want. To which Wen Kexing replies, "what I want is very simple, I want to see your true face."

This comes from the idiom, “不识庐山真面目 / I don’t know the true face of Lushan (Mount Lu)” which means the truth is not easy to understand. Lushan has been frequently depicted in poetry or paintings to have an ever changing facade. The mountain was frequently surrounding in a mist so it’s difficult to make out what it looks like. (Lol kind of like Mount Fuji 😂) The poet Su Shi has also written, “I don’t know the face of Mount Lu, because I am within the mountain itself.” (Poem: 题西林壁). This can be interpreted as that if one does not descend the mountain, they would be limited to a narrow perspective. So to fully understand the full picture, one would need to broaden their horizons. (so this idiom is kind of similar to the ‘frog in the well’)

In shl, the exact literal interpretation would be “If you let me take a look at your 'true face of Lu Shan', I’d tell you.” Personally, I think this could be a reference to either Zhou Zi Shu’s literal mask, or that Wen Kexing wants to find out the truth behind Zhou Zishu. It’s a very fitting idiom given that the series has a recurrent theme of discovering the truth. Or maybe, Wen Kexing just thinks Zhou Zishu's as pretty as Lushan. (Isn't she pretty!!) If you like my meta, feel free to contribute to my caffeine fund xD

Wen Kexing Poetry Episode 3 无非就是贪嗔痴三个字 - “Without a doubt, this is greed, ignorance and hatred” (Joint Chinese meta with Jiang Cheng’s Sword - Sandu)

In Episode 3, Zhou Zishu summaries that the deeds in the Jianghu (the world) boils down to “greed, ignorance and hatred.”  In Buddhism, these are known as the three poisons.  In MDZS, this is also the name of Jiang Cheng’s sword. (三毒 Sān dú - 3 poisons)

The three poisons are attributed to being the root of all evil.  They can be briefly summarised as follows 

In MDZS, the three poisons are present in Jiang Cheng’s life (Chinese meta) 

We’ve previously mentioned Jiang Cheng’s meta in our Taming Wangxian Chapter 8 footnotes so check it out!

SHL Poetry Analysis Episode 2

SHL Episode 2! These poetry are written in sequential order, so I’d suggest you read this while you watch the show. Please click on the links if you're keen to know more.

If you like my analysis, feel free to support me!

Episode 2

1. 恕我孟浪才是 (Shù wǒ mènglàng cái shì)

Meaning: It is my impulsiveness that should be forgiven

Setting: Wen Kexing apologies on behalf of Gu Xiang. Zhou Zishu accepts his apology.

2. 青山不改，绿水长流 (Qīngshān bù gǎi, lǜ shuǐ cháng liú) (tumblr)

Meaning: The mountains are evergreen, the river always flows. (This is a cross analysis between SHL and CQL)

Setting: Zhang Chengling says goodbye to Zhou Zishu.

3. 德不配位，必有灾殃 (Dé bù pèi wèi, bì yǒu zāiyāng)

Meaning: if there is a mismatch of virtue, disaster will strike

Setting: Zhou Zishu listens to children sing a rhyme about the Five Heroes Alliance.

4. 佛且不度有缘人 (Fú qiě bù dù yǒuyuán rén)

Meaning: Buddha does not save those who are fated (possible foreshadowing regarding the subsequent events) Setting: Wen Kexing persuades Zhou Zishu to travel with him.

5. 但渡无所苦，我自迎接汝 (Dù wú suǒ kǔ, wǒ zì yíngjiē rǔ) (tumblr)

Meaning: Don't worry about crossing the river, I'll personally pick you up from the river bank. (don't worry laopo, I will pick you up~)

Setting: Wen Kexing sends Zhou Zishu laopo at the river bank. 6. 这步法飘飘兮若流风之回雪，仿佛兮若轻云之蔽月(Zhè bù fǎ piāo piāo xī ruò liúfēng zhī huí xuě, fǎngfú xī ruò qīng yún zhī bì yuè) (tumblr)

Meaning: my goddess' foosteps are like the clouds that gently covers the moon, and swirls like snowflakes in the wind.

Setting: Wen Kexing praises Zhou Zishu's footwork

7. 花间一壶酒，独酌无相亲 (Huā jiān yī hú jiǔ, dúzhuó wū xiāngqīn)

Meaning: I’ll prepare a pot of good wine and place it among the flowers. I’ll drink by myself, with no relative or friends in sight.” (possible foreshadowing) Setting: Wen Kexing invites Zhou Zishu to drink with him.

8. 周而不比，身若飞絮 (Zhōu ér bùbǐ, shēn ruò fēi xù) (tumblr)

Meaning: a fair and just man, a body as supple as a willow (an analysis of the names Zhou Zishu and Zhou Xu.

Setting: Wen Kexing and Zhou Zishu introduce themselves for the first time.

9. 而布衣之徒，设取予然诺. 千里诵义，为死不顾世。(Ér bùyī zhī tú, shè qǔ yú rán nuò. Qiānlǐ sòng yì, wèi sǐ bùgù shì.)

Meaning: the common wanderer upholds their word and spread their righteousness. Setting: Wen Kexing praises Zhou Zishu for his willingness to keep his word and protect Zhang Zhengling.

SHL Poetry Analysis Episode 1

And I'm done with Episode 1! These poetry are written in sequential order, so I'd suggest you read this while you watch the first two episodes. Please click on the links if your'e keen to know more. I've used twitter for the shorter poems as tumblr doesn't allow me to embed more than 1 video per post.

If you like what I write, feel free to support me! :)

Episode 1 1. 其情可悯，其行当诛。(Qí qíng kě mǐn, qí hángdang zhū. (Cross meta with TGCF - meaning of Xie Lian's sword) Meaning: “although his intentions were compassionate, he did so through wicked means and hence he should be killed.” Setting: Zhou Zishu explains to Jing An the reason why her father was killed.

2. 七窍三秋钉，三载赴幽冥 (Qīqiào sānqiū dīng, sān zài fù yōumíng) (tumblr) Meaning: The Nails of Seven orifices and three autumns, to face the underworld in three years. Setting: The explanation of Zhou Zishu's Nails.

3. 一人之下，万人之上 (Yīrén zhī xià, wàn rén zhī shàng)

Meaning: Under one person, above ten thousand people Setting: Zhou Zishu mocks himself after nailing his subordinate.

4. 涓涓江汉流，天窗通冥室。(Juānjuān jiānghàn liú, tiānchuāng tōng míng shì.) (tumblr) Meaning: The currents of the Yang and Han river converge, the Window of Heaven illuminates the darkness Setting: The meaning of Tian Chuang

Note: The initial meta was an analysis of the meaning of Tian Chuang. I've also expanded on the meta in relation to the show, the Jin King and Zhou ZIshu.

5. 乞丐做三年， 皇帝也不换 (Qǐgài zuò sān nián, huángdì yě bù huàn) Meaning: Being a beggar for 3 years, wouldn’t want to exchange this for an Emperor

Setting: Zhou Zishu makes this statement while basking in the sun.

6. 凭酒寄红颜 (Píng jiǔjì hóngyán)

Meaning: to use wine to praise the young lady

Setting: Zhou Zishu thanks/flirts with Guxiang after she gives him alcohol. 7. Of which Wen Kexing wasn't very impressed with Zhou Zishu and teases him for the rest of the series. (tumblr)

Wen Kexing Poetry Episode 2 - I’ll prepare a pot of good wine and place it among the flowers.  I’ll drink by myself, with no relative or friends in sight.”

In Episode 2, Wen Kexing invites Zhou ZIshu to drink with him on board his boat (which fails spectacularly lmao).  In his invitation, he cites this poem - 花间一壶酒，独酌无相亲 (Huā jiān yī hú jiǔ, dúzhuó wū xiāngqīn).

This arises from the Tang poem to “Drink Under the Moon”.  Written by Li Bai, the poem depicts the cold and lonely scene, where the author drinks alone under the moonlight.  The author is depressed and he speaks to the moon, pouring out his sorrows while drinking wine.  This poem is written in an interesting way as on the surface, the poet looks as though he’s enjoying himself, but deep within he is lonely and sorrowful. 

On the surface, it does look as though wkx is merely flirting with zzs.  However, I’m wondering if this is a possible foreshadowing of wkx’s character (ie. on the surface he looks well and he’s constantly surrounded with people. whereas on the inside ..  KNIVES)

青山不改，绿水长流 (the mountains evergreen, the river always flows)

I’ve picked this up because LOL CQL uses this as well. 🤣

Zhang Chengling bades Zhou Zishu goodbye with this phrase as he leaves.  In CQL, Wei Weixian also says goodbye to Lan Wangji at the end of the show the same way as well.

This is a phrase that’s commonly used in wuxia films.  It means “the mountains are evergreen, the river always flowers, just as the mountains and the rivers will never change, when we meet again, our feelings will always remain the same.”  Just a note though, this phrase is commonly used to express hatred.  It has the same vibe of two arch nemesis facing off with each other, of which one party would say, “I’ll be back.” LOL. So the way that it’s used in shl and cql is a little… different.

The original phrase came from poem “Parting” written by Bai Juyi.

The poem is as follows

Resource: (1), (2), (3)

Okay if y’all are interested, I’m currently doing an shl meta analysis thread on the poems from the start of the show.  This mini project will only concentrate on poems that were lost in translation.  I’ve only been posting the longer meta threads here so if you want to learn about the shorter poems please click on the link!