Li Qingzhao [Photo/sdwht.gov.cn]

Li Qingzhao (1084-1155 AD) was a remarkable Chinese female poet of the Song Dynasty (960-1279 AD). During her lifetime, Li made great achievements in the field of lyrics.

Born in present-day Ji’nan of Shandong province, Li shared her artistic and academic interests early on with her husband Zhao Mingcheng, a notable poet at the time.

The style of her lyrics changed dramatically after she fled south following the invasion of the Jin Kingdom in present day North China.

Her lyrics predominantly reflected leisure and life before the invasion. After fleeing to the south, she endured great hardships in life and the style and lyrics of her poetry turned pessimistic and sorrowful, expressing nostalgia.

Li Qingzhao's lyrics were created according to "delicate restraint". Her poem first merges intense passion with literary images to create artistic conceptions in which feelings and scenery are well blended. Secondly, the poems use simple yet original language, which is natural and expressive. Her lyrics are easy to recite and are also filled with spoken language and common sayings.

Li Qingzhao Memorial Hall in Jinan, Shandong province. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]