An Analysis of Natural Symbols in the Poem “The Song of Everlasting Sorrow”

Abstract

This qualitative research aimed to examine the use of natural symbols in the Poem The Song of Everlasting Sorrow (Changhen ge) through the lens of symbolic theory. The study employed documentary research and presented the findings descriptively. A total of 28 symbolic expressions related to natural elements were identified and categorized into four groups: (1) humans – 8 terms representing beauty and sorrow; (2) animals – 2 terms symbolizing love and hope; (3) objects – 12 terms reflecting loneliness, longing, love, happiness, farewell, and despair; and (4) imaginary elements and emotions – 9 terms symbolizing love, happiness, beauty, and longing. This study contributes to the enrichment of literary knowledge, particularly in the dimension of symbolic interpretation, and highlights the values and aesthetic beauty embedded in The Song of Everlasting Sorrow, offering a deeper and more nuanced understanding of the poem.