ISSN : 1229-9618(Print)
ISSN : 2671-7506(Online)
ISSN : 2671-7506(Online)
Chinese Studies Vol.94 pp.203-220
DOI : http://dx.doi.org/10.14378/KACS.2026.94.94.10
DOI : http://dx.doi.org/10.14378/KACS.2026.94.94.10
The Imagery of “Pavilion” in Chinese Poetry : A Study Based on Wang Guowei’s Yijing Theory
Abstract
In classical Chinese literature, the “pavilion” is more than a physical structure - it serves as a symbolic space for expressing emotion and artistic conception. Scenes such as ascending a pavilion to gaze into the distance, leaning on the railing to bid farewell, or standing alone at the pavilion’s edge are recurring motifs in poetry, rich with humanistic spirit and aesthetic depth. Drawing on Wang Guowei’s theory of yijing(意境理论), this paper explores the imagery of pavilions from the perspectives of “you wo zhi jing”(有我之境) and “wu wo zhi jing”(无我之境). Through close reading of representative classical poems, the study examines the imagery of pavilions across three dimensions: descriptive landscape, emotional expression, and symbolic meaning. The analysis reveals that the pavilion, as a highly condensed literary symbol, not only reflects the emotional landscape of the literati but also carries layers of historical memory. As such, it stands as a powerful and meaningful spatial image in traditional literature, meriting deeper inquiry from both aesthetic and cultural perspectives.





