Poetry Chaikhana
Sacred Poetry from Around the World

China
(East Asia)

T'ao Ch'ien

Timeline (365 - 427)

Poems by T'ao Ch'ien
Books

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T'ao Ch'ien, also sometimes called T'ao Yuan-ming, was born in the Kiangsi district of China, into a family of modest wealth. But as he was growing up, the family income declined. As a young man, he failed in his attempts to get a decent government position, so T'ao Ch'ien retired to the life of a poor gentleman farmer.

His poetry suggests that, despite his material hardships (in one poem T'ao Ch'ien describes having to beg for food) and political turmoils, he seems to have cultivated a melancholy sort of contentment in his life.

His writing shows a deep communion with nature, helping to open the way for the great Chinese nature poets centuries later during the Tang dynasty. Chrysanthemums often appear in his poems.

T'ao Ch'ien exhibits a deeply philosophical nature in his poetry. He had Taoist and Buddhist leanings, including among his friends monks of the White Lotus Society, an early society of Ch'an Buddhism.

In addition to themes of nature, T'ao Chien is also known for his wine poetry.

Poems by T'ao Ch'ien

	After Liu Ch'ai-Sang's Poem
	Autumn chrysanthemums have beautiful color,
	Success and failure? No known address.
	Unsettled, a bird lost from the flock --

Recommended Books

The Selected Poems of T'ao Ch'ien, Translated by David Hinton

Amazon.com

Sunflower Splendor: Three Thousand Years of Chinese Poetry, Edited by Wu-chi Liu / Edited by Irving Yucheng Lo

Amazon.com

Please support the Poetry Chaikhana, as well as the authors and publishers of sacred poetry, by purchasing some of the recommended books through the links on this site. Thank you!

Poetry Chaikhana Sacred Poetry from Around the World

T'ao Ch'ien

Daily Poem Email

Support the Poetry Chaikhana

Poetry Chaikhana
Sacred Poetry from Around the World