Li Qingzhao is recognized as one of the greatest women poets in ancient China and one of the foremost writers of lyric songs, or ci style poetry.
Characterized by melancholy and profound memories of her happy marriage, which was cut short, many of Li's poems demonstrate her carefree and light-hearted spirit with a little touch of sorrow or despair.
Her poetic presentation of women's emotions and feelings finds no match in the works of either other women or men in the Chinese poetic tradition.
Born into a literary family in 1084, Li was known for her talent in poetry even before her marriage to Zhao Mingcheng, a famous scholar of seal cutting. Tragedy struck first with the death of her husband from illness, followed by the loss of the family's collection of antiques during episodes of chaotic warfare. And in about 1151 Li herself succumbed to illness and despair.
Her writing was originally published in seven volumes of poetry and prose, plus six volumes of lyric songs. About 50 poems and 17 lyric songs survived. Also extant are two brief prose works.
One is an epilogue that she added to her husband's work Jin Shi Lu (Records on Metal and Stone), and the other is about the study of lyric songs, or ci.
(China Daily July 3, 2003)
