Ten Ancient Poems on Filial Piety and Respect for the Elderly: A Poetic Journey to Promote Traditional Virtues

Since ancient times, filial piety and respect for the elderly has been a traditional virtue of the Chinese nation, and many ancient poets used beautiful verses to express their love for their parents and respect for their elders. Here are ten ancient poems depicting the theme of filial piety and respect for the elderly, let us enjoy the charm of these poems together.

First of all, in "Remembering My Brother in the Moonlit Night" by Du Fu, a poet of the Tang Dynasty, "The garrison drums break one's line, and the sound of geese is heard on the edge of autumn. The dew is white tonight and the moon is bright in my hometown. All my brothers are scattered, and I have no home to ask about my life and death. I have no home to ask if I will live or die. I can't send a letter to you, and I'm not sure if I've rested my troops yet." It expresses the deep longing and endless worry for the brothers who are far away from home, and at the same time shows the traditional concept of filial piety and respect for the elderly.

Lu You, a poet of the Song Dynasty, wrote in his "Two Songs on an Autumn Night at Dawn, Feelings of Coolness at the Gate of a Hedgerow - One of Them", "The garrison drums break the line of people, and there is a sound of geese on the edge of the autumn. The dew is white tonight and the moon is bright in my hometown. All my brothers are scattered, and I have no family to ask about my life and death. The letters I send are long in coming, not to mention the fact that the army has not yet rested." By describing the desolate scene in the north, it expresses the poet's nostalgia for his hometown, and at the same time reflects his respect for his elders.

In the Tang Dynasty poet Han Yu's "Left Relocation to the Blue Pass to Show My Nephew Sun Xiang", he wrote, "Where is my home in the clouds across the Qinling Mountains? The horses are not moving forward in the snowy Blue Pass. Knowing that you have come from afar, I would like to take my bones and bury them by the river." It expresses the poet's helplessness and grief after being deported, and also expresses his attachment to his relatives and his longing for his family.

In Tang Dynasty poet Wang Zhilu's "Ascending the Stork Tower," "The sun is over the mountains, and the Yellow River flows into the sea. I want to see a thousand miles, but I want to climb one more floor." It expresses the poet's admiration for his parents and elders as he looks at the magnificent scenery of nature from afar and laments the brevity of life.

In the Tang Dynasty poet Bai Juyi's "Fugue Gu Yuan Grass Send-off", he wrote, "The grass on the plains is a blossoming and a withering thing every year. Wildfire cannot be eliminated, but it grows again in the spring breeze. Far away fragrance invades the ancient road, and clear emerald greenery connects the deserted city. I am sending the king's grandson away again, and I am full of farewell feelings." Through the depiction of nature, it expresses the deep affection for friends and relatives, and at the same time reflects the inheritance of the concept of filial piety and respect for the elderly.

Song Dynasty poet Su Shi's "Red Cliff and Ancient Times" in the "Great River goes east, the waves are exhausted, a thousand years of the wind and stream of characters. On the west side of the old fortress, the Red Cliff of Zhou Lang of the Three Kingdoms is known. Stones pierced through the air, waves beat the shore, and a thousand piles of snow were rolled up. The rivers and mountains are like pictures, how many heroes are there at a time." Through the depiction of historical scenes, it expresses admiration for heroes and heroines, and at the same time pays homage to the traditional virtue of filial piety and respect for the elderly.

In Tang Dynasty poet Wang Changling's "Seven Songs of Marching from the Army", he wrote, "The long clouds of the green sea darken the snow-covered mountains, and the lone city looks at the Jade Gate Pass from afar. The yellow sand wears gold armor in a hundred battles, and we will not return until we break through Loulan." It shows the heroic image of the soldiers and expresses the belief of filial piety and respect for the elderly, protecting the family and defending the country.

The Tang Dynasty poet Wang Han's "Liangzhou Lyrics" says, "The grapes and wine are in the night-light cup, and I want to drink the pipa and urge you to do it right away. The drunken gentleman in the battlefield does not laugh, how many people have returned from the ancient campaign?" Through the depiction of the strong soldiers on the battlefield, it expresses the belief in filial piety and honoring the elderly, and protecting the family and defending the country.

In the Tang Dynasty poet Wang Wei's "Sending Yuan Er to Envoy An Xi", he says, "Regarding the light dust on the morning rain in Wei Cheng, the guest house is green and the willows are new. I advise you to drink a cup of wine, and there is no old man in the west out of the Yangguan Pass." It expresses the poet's deep affection for those who have traveled far, and at the same time promotes the traditional concept of filial piety and respect for the elderly.

Through reading these ancient poems, we can not only appreciate the talent of ancient poets, but also feel the traditional virtue of filial piety and respect for the elderly. Let us pass on these excellent qualities and make filial piety the eternal motto of our hearts.