Shui Long Yin's title means "Water Dragon Chant", which might confuse international audiences.
In fact, "Shui long yin" often appeared as one of the fixed titles of Song-ci, called "tonal pattern names.” Although most of the existing Song-ci only have words, they are sung with the corresponding music initially. These music titles are "tonal pattern names".
According to the academic research, "Shui long yin" first appeared in the Period of the Northern and Southern Dynasties in China, when it was a Gu-Qin music named after "Loong Yin", which means the singing sound of a dragon. In the Tang Dynasty, this music gradually evolved into the music used by the honor guard of the king.
In Chinese culture, the dragon has a close relationship with water, this kind of music is gradually renamed "Shui long yin/Water Dragon Chant.".
Therefore, the "Water Dragon" in the title of this teleplay does not refer to a specific type of dragon (in fact, the hero Tang Lici is a "Fox Dragon"). Instead, it conveys the cultural richness of the drama and its grand, romantic poetic qualities.
In the end, let's savor the most representative poem of "Shui long yin/Water Dragon Chant":
They seem to be but are not flowers.
None pity them when they fall down in showers.
Forsaking leafy home,
By the roadside, they roam.
I think they're fickle, but they've sorrow deep.
Their grief-o'erladen bowels are tender.
Like willow branches slender;
Their leaves like wistful eyes near shut with sleep,
About to open, yet soon closed again.
They dream of drifting with the wind for long.
Long miles to find their men,
But are aroused by Orioles' song.
Grieve not for Willow Catkins flowing away,
But in the western garden, fallen petals are red.
Can't be restored.
When dawns the day
And rain is on; we cannot find their traces.
But in a pond with duckweeds overspread.
Of spring's three graces,
Two have gone with the roadside dust.
And one with waves.
But if you just
Take a close look, then you will never
Find willow down but tears of those who part,
Which drop by drop
Fall without stop.
--[Song Dynasty] Su Shi
Original poem:
《水龙吟》—————作者:
【宋】苏轼 似花还似非花,也无人惜从教坠。
抛家傍路,思量却是,无情有思。
荣损柔肠,困酣娇眼,欲开还闭。
梦随风万里,寻郎去处,又还被、莺呼起。
不恨此花飞尽,恨西园、落红难缀。
晓来雨过,遗踪何在,一池萍碎。
春色三分,二分尘土,一分流水。
细看来,不是杨花,点点是离人泪。
Author: 风风子
Proofreader: Aristolan ; 玲云永曦
Unofficial
Unprofessional
For reference only
