Lu You
Southern Song poet and historian known for patriotic verse.
Lu You / Qu Dajun · Public domain
He is known for his patriotic poems, which articulate his lifelong desire to expel the Jurchen from northern China and reunify the country under the Song.
- known_for
- Patriotic poems, debated love story with Tang Wan, over 11,000 poems
Lore & Background
Lu You later remarried a woman from the Wang clan.
Reader's Guide
His early poems (to age 46) were largely destroyed; his middle period (ages 46–54) reflects military experience; his final period (retirement to death) includes 6,500 poems blending pastoral imagery with desolation. His poem 'To My Son,' composed near death, expresses regret that China remained divided. His advocacy for reconquest cost him his official career, but his poetry has been valued for nearly a thousand years.
Did You Know?
- His early poems (up to age 46) were largely destroyed by him.
- His poem 'To My Son,' composed near death, expresses regret that China remained divided.
- He also wrote historical works such as 'Book of Southern Tang' and prose collections.
Gallery
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Lu You?
Lu You was a Southern Song Dynasty poet and historian who lived from 1125 to 1210. He is best remembered for his vast body of patriotic verse expressing his longing to drive the Jurchen invaders out of northern China.
How many poems did Lu You write?
Lu You left behind more than 11,000 poems, making him one of the most prolific poets in Chinese literary history. This extraordinary output reflects his lifelong commitment to writing as both personal expression and patriotic statement.
What is the famous love story involving Lu You and Tang Wan?
The tale of Lu You's first wife Tang Wan is one of the most well-known romance narratives in Chinese literature, though its historical accuracy remains debated among scholars. The story traditionally portrays a tragic separation forced by family opposition, but details vary significantly across versions.
What is the central theme of Lu You's poetry?
His work is dominated by patriotic sentiment, particularly his persistent wish to see the Song dynasty reclaim the northern territories lost to the Jurchen. Even in his later years, his verses continued to call for national reunification.
When and where was Lu You born?
Lu You was born in 1125, though the exact date and place remain uncertain—some accounts place his birth aboard a boat on the Huai River, while others suggest the town of Shanyin. He passed away on the 26th day of the 12th lunar month in 1210.
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