《青玉案·元夕》 - 辛弃疾

This poem by Xin Qiji, titled "Qingyu'an Yuèxī" (《青玉案·元夕》) or "Lantern Festival on Green Jade Case," captures the vibrant atmosphere of the Lantern Festival and the poet's unexpected encounter with a beloved person amidst the throngs of people.

《青玉案·元夕》 作者：辛弃疾 东风夜放花千树，更吹落、星如雨。 宝马雕车香满路。凤箫声动，玉壶光转，一夜鱼龙舞。 蛾儿雪柳黄金缕，笑语盈盈暗香去。 众里寻他千百度，蓦然回首，那人却在，灯火阑珊处。

In the east wind's night, a thousand trees bloom, And stars like rain are scattered down. Fragrance fills the streets with jeweled carriages, As phoenix flutes play and jade cups gleam. All night long, dragons and fish dance.

Moth-eyebrows and willow catkins, golden threads, Their laughter fills the air and fades with sweet perfume. I search for him a thousand times among the crowd, But turn around abruptly, and there he is, In the place where lanterns hang dimly.

The first two lines paint a vivid picture of the Lantern Festival scene. The east wind brings forth a thousand blossoming trees, while stars fall like rain, creating a magical and enchanting atmosphere.

The following lines describe the bustling streets adorned with fragrant carriages, the melodious sounds of phoenix flutes, and the shimmering reflections of jade cups. The imagery evokes a sense of revelry, excitement, and the vibrant spirit of the festival.

In the third line, the poet introduces the image of "dragons and fish dancing," a symbolic representation of the lively festivities and the harmonious blend of yin and yang energies.

The next two lines shift the focus to a more intimate scene, as the poet describes a beautiful woman with "moth-eyebrows and willow catkins" adorned with "golden threads." Her laughter fills the air and fades with "sweet perfume," creating an aura of mystery and allure.

The poet's search for this woman amidst the crowd is captured in the following lines: "I search for him a thousand times among the crowd." The repetition of "a thousand times" emphasizes the intensity of his search and the elusiveness of his object of desire.

The poem's climax arrives in the final two lines: "But turn around abruptly, and there he is, / In the place where lanterns hang dimly." The unexpected encounter amidst the throngs of people is a moment of serendipitous joy and surprise.

The poem concludes with a lingering image of the beloved person standing in the dimly lit area where lanterns hang, suggesting a sense of mystery, intimacy, and the enduring power of love amidst the fleeting nature of the Lantern Festival celebrations.