| Chinese Text Project |
《天問 - Heavenly Questions》 | English translation: AI and Chinese Text Project users [?] | Books referencing 《天問》 Library Resources |
| 1 | 天問: |
曰：遂古之初，誰傳道之？ 上下未形，何由考之？ 冥昭瞢暗，誰能極之？ 馮翼惟象，何以識之？ 明明暗暗，惟時何為？ 陰陽三合，何本何化？ |
| Said: In the very beginning of ancient times, who passed down its teachings? The heavens and earth had not yet taken form; how could one examine it? In the dimness and darkness, who could fathom its depths? With wings supporting and forms emerging, how can one recognize them? Bright and dark, what is this time doing? Yin and Yang combined in three, what are their origins and transformations? | ||
| 2 | 天問: |
圜則九重，孰營度之？ 惟茲何功，孰初作之？ 斡維焉系，天極焉加？ 八柱何當，東南何虧？ 九天之際，安放安屬？ 隅隈多有，誰知其數？ |
| The heavens have nine layers; who planned and measured them? What merit is this, and who first created it? 📍 Where are the axes of the heavens tied, and where is the celestial pole added? What supports the eight pillars, and why does the southeast appear deficient? At the juncture of the nine heavens, where are they placed and to whom do they belong? There are many corners and recesses; who knows their number? | ||
| 3 | 天問: |
天何所沓，十二焉分？ 日月安屬，列星安陳？ 出於湯谷，次於蒙汜？ 自明及晦，所行幾里？ 夜光所德，死則又育？ 厥利維何，而顧菟在腹？ 女岐無合，夫焉取九子？ 伯強何處，惠氣安在？ 何闔而晦，何開而明？ 角宿未旦，曜靈安藏？ |
| To where does the sky converge, and how is it divided into twelve parts? To whom do the sun and moon belong, and how are the stars arranged? The sun rises from the Hot Valley (Tanggu) and sets at Mengsi; is this correct? From brightness to darkness, how many li does it travel? What virtue does the night's light possess, that when it dies, it is reborn? What benefit does this bring, and why is the rabbit in its belly? Nu Qi had no partner; from where did she obtain nine sons? Where is Bo Qiang, and where lies the beneficial qi? What closes to bring darkness, and what opens to bring light? Before the Horn constellation rises, where is the luminous spirit hidden? | ||
| 4 | 天問: |
不任汩鴻師何以尚之 僉曰何憂何不課而行之 鴟龜曳銜鯀何聽焉 順欲成功帝何刑焉 永遏在羽山夫何三年不施 伯禹愎鯀夫何以變化 纂就前緒遂成考功 何續初繼業而厥謀不同 洪泉極深何以窴之 地方九則何以墳之 河海應龍何畫何歷 鯀何所營禹何所成 康回馮怒墬何故以東南傾 |
| Who could not bear the burden of the great teacher, how then to surpass him? They all said: What sorrow is there that cannot be resolved and carried out? The owl-turtle dragged and bit Gun; what did they listen to? Following desire to achieve success, why did the emperor impose punishment? Forever restrained at Yushan, for what reason three years without release? Bo Yu was stubborn toward Gun; how then could transformation occur? Continuing previous endeavors, he ultimately achieved meritorious service. Why continue initial undertakings and follow a different plan? The vast spring is extremely deep; with what did they fill it? The land has nine divisions; with what were they marked out? Rivers and seas—what dragon responded, how was the course drawn? What did Gun strive for, and what did Yu accomplish? Kang Hui, in furious rage, why did the earth tilt to the southeast? | ||
| 5 | 天問: |
九州安錯川谷何洿 東流不溢孰知其故 東西南北其修孰多 南北順橢其衍幾何 昆侖縣圃其尻安在 增城九重其高幾里 四方之門其誰從焉 西北闢啟何氣通焉 日安不到燭龍何照 羲和之未揚若華何光 何所冬暖何所夏寒 |
| Where are the nine provinces placed, and how deep are their rivers and valleys? Why does it flow eastward without overflowing; who knows its reason? Among east, west, south, and north, which is longest in length? How much land extends between the southern and northern directions? Kunlun hangs over the orchard; where lies its base? The added city has nine layers; how many li high is it? Who passes through the four gates of the world? In the northwest, who opened it, and what qi flows through? Where does the sun not reach; which dragon illuminates it? Xi He had yet to rise; where did the flower light shine? Which place remains warm in winter, and which is cold in summer? | ||
| 6 | 天問: |
焉有石林何獸能言 焉有虯龍負熊以游 雄虺九首倏忽焉在 何所不死長人何守 靡蓱九衢枲華安居 一蛇吞象厥大何如 黑水玄趾三危安在 延年不死壽何所止 鯪魚何所鬿堆焉處 羿焉彃日烏焉解羽 |
| Where are the stone forests, and which beast can speak? Where is the coiled dragon carrying a bear as it swims? The fierce snake with nine heads—where does it suddenly appear? Which place grants immortality; who guards the long-lived people? Where lie the nine roads of Mi Ping, and where dwells the hemp flower? One serpent swallows an elephant; how great is its size? Black Water, Black Toes, Three Perils—where are they located? Longevity without death—how far does life extend? Where is the Ling fish, and in which heap of debris does it dwell? Yi shot down the suns; where did the crows lose their feathers? | ||
| 7 | 天問: |
禹之力獻功降省下土四方 焉得彼塗山女而通之於台桑 閔妃匹合厥身是繼 胡維嗜不同味而快鼌飽 |
| Yu's strength was devoted to his achievements, descending to inspect the four directions of the land. How did he obtain that woman from Tushan and communicate with her at Taishang? Compassionate for a suitable match, continuing through his descendants— Why does one desire different flavors yet enjoy morning feasts so quickly? | ||
| 8 | 天問: |
啟代益作後卒然離蠥 何啟惟憂而能拘是達 皆歸䠶鞠而無害厥躬 何後益作革而禹播降 啟棘賓商九辨九歌 何勤子屠母而死分竟地 |
| Qi replaced Yi, and suddenly they were separated in conflict. Why did Qi, burdened with worry, manage to achieve this success? All returned to attack Ju without harming his person— Why then did Yi later initiate change while Yu descended from the heavens? Qi invited Bin Shang, composing nine distinctions and nine songs— Why did he diligently kill his mother and die, dividing the land at last? | ||
| 9 | 天問: |
帝降夷羿革孽夏民 胡射夫河伯而妻彼雒嬪 馮珧利決封豨是射 何獻蒸肉之膏而後帝不若 浞娶純狐眩妻爰謀 何羿之射革而交吞揆之 阻窮西征岩何越焉 化為黃熊巫何活焉 |
| The emperor sent Yi the Archer to reform and purify the Xia people. Why did he shoot He Bo and marry Luo Pin? With a bow, he shot the boar that breached the dam— What offering of fatty meat was presented so that later the emperor disapproved? Zhuo married Chun Hu, deceiving his wife with plots— How did Yi's archery lead to conflict, resulting in mutual destruction? Blocking the western expedition, how could he cross such rugged cliffs? Transformed into a yellow bear, how did the witch save him? | ||
| 10 | 天問: |
咸播秬黍莆雚是營 何由並投而鯀疾修盈 |
| They all sowed black millet and cultivated Pu Guan— How could they be cast together, yet Gun quickly filled the waters? | ||
| 11 | 天問: |
白蜺嬰茀胡為此堂 安得夫良藥不能固藏 天式從橫陽離爰死 大鳥何鳴夫焉喪厥體 蓱號起雨何以興之 撰體協肋鹿何膺之 鰲戴山抃何以安之 釋舟陵行何以遷之 |
| The white rainbow wrapped the canopy; why was this hall built? How could one obtain good medicine that cannot be hidden or preserved? Heavenly patterns crisscrossed, and Yang separated to die— What great bird cried out, causing its body to perish? Ping Hao summoned rain; what caused it to arise? Fashioning the body with joined ribs—who did the deer accept this from? The tortoises bore mountains on their backs; how were they stabilized? Leaving boats behind and walking over hills—how was such a transformation achieved? | ||
| 12 | 天問: |
惟澆在戶何求於嫂 何少康逐犬而顛隕厥首 女歧縫裳而館同爰止 何殿易厥首而親以逢殆 湯謀易旋何以厚之 覆舟斟尋何道取之 |
| Jiao stood at the door; what did he seek from his sister-in-law? Why did Shaokang chase a dog and fall, losing his head? Nu Qi sewed clothes and stayed in the same inn— How could someone replace her head and yet be closely involved with danger? Tang plotted to change the wheel; how was it strengthened? The overturned boat of Zhen Xin—by what path was it taken? | ||
| 13 | 天問: |
桀伐蒙山何所得焉 妺嬉何肆湯何殛焉 舜閔在家父何以鱞 堯不姚告二女何親 厥萌在初何所憶焉 璜台十成誰所極焉 登立為帝孰道尚之 女媧有體孰制匠之 舜服厥弟終然為害 何肆犬體而厥身不危敗 吳獲迄古南嶽是止 孰期去斯得兩男子 |
| Jie attacked Mengshan; what did he gain? Mei Xi, how reckless—what punishment did Tang impose on her? Shun was pitied at home; why did his father use a crocodile? Yao did not inform Yao of the two daughters; how were they close? The beginning had its origin; what was remembered? The ten-tiered Huangtai—who measured it to such heights? Who ascended and became emperor, whose way was followed? Nuwa had her body—what craftsman shaped it? Shun subdued his brother yet ultimately caused harm— How could he act so recklessly with a dog's body without endangering himself? Wu obtained the ancient southern mountain as his resting place— Who expected to leave this and gain two men? | ||
| 14 | 天問: |
緣鵠飾玉後帝是饗 何乘謀夏桀終以滅喪 帝乃降觀下逢伊摯 何條方致罰而黎服大說 |
| The phoenix adorned with jade was offered to the later emperor— What strategy led to the downfall of Xia Jie, ultimately causing his destruction? The emperor descended to observe and encountered Yi Zhi below— By what means did punishment reach its peak, yet the people rejoiced greatly? | ||
| 15 | 天問: |
簡狄在台嚳何宜 玄鳥致貽女何喜 |
| Jian Di was on the terrace; why was Ku suitable for her? The black bird brought a gift; what joy did this bring to the woman? | ||
| 16 | 天問: |
該秉季德厥父是臧 胡終弊於有扈牧夫牛羊 乾協時舞何以懷之 平肋曼膚何以肥之 有扈牧豎云何而逢 擊床先出其命何從 |
| Gai held the virtue of the season; his father was praised— Why did he ultimately fall into disgrace among Youhu's herders? With dry coordination and timely dance, how could one win their hearts? Smooth ribs and soft skin—how were they made fat? Among Youhu's herdsmen, what misfortune befell him? Striking the bed first, from where did his fate come? | ||
| 17 | 天問: |
恆秉季德焉得夫樸牛 何往營班祿不但還來 |
| Heng held the virtue of the season—how could he obtain that plain ox? Where had he gone to seek wealth and fortune, yet never returned? | ||
| 18 | 天問: |
昏微遵跡有狄不寧 何繁鳥萃棘負子肆情 眩弟並淫危害厥兄 何變化以作詐後嗣而逢長 |
| In the dim and obscure times, following a path that brought unrest to Di— Why did so many birds gather on thorns, carrying offspring with unrestrained passion? The blinded younger brother indulged in lust, harming his elder brother— How could transformation be used for deceit, yet later descendants still prospered? | ||
| 19 | 天問: |
成湯東巡有莘爰極 何乞彼小臣而吉妃是得 水濱之木得彼小子 夫何惡之媵有莘之婦 湯出重泉夫何辠尤 不勝心伐帝夫誰使挑之 |
| Cheng Tang toured eastward, reaching You Shen— Why did he seek a lowly servant and thus obtain the auspicious wife? The tree by the water gave birth to that young man— What evil act caused him to be sent as a bride's attendant to You Shen's woman? Tang emerged from Chongquan; what crime had he committed? His heart was not subdued, yet who incited him to rebel against the emperor? | ||
| 20 | 天問: |
會朝爭盟何踐吾期 蒼鳥群飛孰使萃之 列擊紂躬叔旦不嘉 何親揆發定周之命以咨嗟 授殷天下其位安施 反成乃亡其罪伊何 爭遣伐器何以行之 並驅擊翼何以將之 |
| At the assembly, who contended for an alliance; why did I not keep my appointment? The dark birds flew in flocks—who caused them to gather? Striking King Zhou himself, Shu Dan was displeased— Who closely measured and decided the mandate of Zhou with sighs and lamentations? Granting the world to Yin, where should his position be placed? Rebellion led to destruction; what crime did he commit? Contesting for weapons and vessels, by what means were they carried out? Driving forward together, striking the wings—by whom were they commanded? | ||
| 21 | 天問: |
昭後成游南土爰底 厥利惟何逢彼白雉 |
| The illustrious descendant traveled south and reached Nantu— What benefit did he gain, encountering the white pheasant there? | ||
| 22 | 天問: |
慕王巧梅夫何為周流 環理天下夫何索求 |
| Meng Wang Qiaomei—why did he wander throughout the world? Surveying and governing the realm, what was it that he sought? | ||
| 23 | 天問: |
妖夫曳衒何號於市 周幽誰誅焉得夫褒姒 |
| The demon dragged and paraded; what name did he take in the marketplace? Who killed King You of Zhou, and how did Bao Si come to be obtained? | ||
| 24 | 天問: |
天命反側何罰何佑 齊桓九會卒然身殺 |
| The mandate of heaven turned upside down; what punishment or protection was there? Duke Huan of Qi held nine alliances, yet suddenly met his death. | ||
| 25 | 天問: |
彼王紂之躬孰使亂惑 何惡輔弼讒諂是服 比干何逆而抑沈之 雷開何順而賜封之 何聖人之一德卒其異方 梅伯受醢箕子佯狂 |
| What caused King Zhou himself to be so confused and misled? Which evil advisors and flatterers did he favor? Why was Bi Gan opposed and suppressed, even drowned? Why was Lei Kai favored and granted a fief for his compliance? How could the virtue of sages remain unchanged when their ends were so different? Mei Bo was minced into meat; Ji Zi pretended madness. | ||
| 26 | 天問: |
稷維元子帝何竺之 投之於冰上鳥何燠之 何馮弓挾矢殊能將之 既驚帝切激何逢長之 |
| Ji, the eldest son, how did the emperor nurture him? Cast upon ice, what bird warmed him? With bow and arrow, who wielded such unique skill to lead them? After alarming the emperor and stirring intense emotion, whom did he encounter as his leader? | ||
| 27 | 天問: |
伯昌好衰秉鞭作牧 何令徹彼岐社命有殷國 遷藏就岐何能依 殷有惑婦何所譏 受賜茲醢西伯上告 何親就上帝罰殷之命以不救 師望在肆昌何識 鼓刀揚聲後何喜 武發殺殷何所悒 載屍集成何所急 伯林雉經惟其何故 何感天抑地夫誰畏懼 皇天集命惟何戒之 受禮天下又使至代之 |
| Bo Chang, in decline, held the whip and became a herder— What decree caused him to pass on the altar at Qi, bestowing the mandate of the Yin state? Moving his treasures to Qi, how could he rely upon it? The Yin had a deceptive woman; what was there to criticize? Receiving this meat as a gift, King Xi Bo ascended and reported— Why did he personally approach Heaven, condemning the fate of Yin without rescue? Shi Wang was in the market; how did Chang recognize him? Beating his knife and shouting loudly, what joy followed later? Wu Fa killed Yin; what sorrow did this bring? Loading corpses into a collection—what urgency was there? Bo Lin hanged himself on a wild chicken's rope; for what reason? What moved Heaven or Earth, causing whom to fear and tremble? The Mandate of Heaven gathered; what warning was given? Accepting the rites of the world, yet allowing another to replace him. | ||
| 28 | 天問: |
初湯臣摯後茲承輔 何卒官湯尊食宗緒 |
| Initially, Tang's minister Zhi later succeeded in assisting— Why did he finally serve Tang with reverence and uphold the ancestral line? | ||
| 29 | 天問: |
勛闔夢生少離散亡 何壯武厲能流厥嚴 |
| Xun He dreamed of birth, yet young and scattered— What valor and martial might could pass on his dignity? | ||
| 30 | 天問: |
彭鏗斟雉帝何饗 受壽永多夫何長 |
| Peng Keng, Zhen Chi—what did the emperor offer them? Receiving long life and great blessings—who could live so long? | ||
| 31 | 天問: |
中央共牧後何怒 蜂蛾微命力何固 驚女采薇鹿何祐 北至四水萃何喜 兄有噬犬弟何欲 易之以百兩卒無祿 |
| In the central land, they shared pastures; why did later generations become angry? The wasp and moth had fragile lives—what strength could make them firm? Startled by a woman gathering vetch, what protection did the deer receive? Traveling north to Four Waters, what joy did he find in their gathering? An elder brother had a fierce dog; what desire did his younger brother have? Exchanging it for a hundred carriages, yet ultimately no fortune was gained. | ||
| 32 | 天問: |
薄暮雷電歸何憂 厥嚴不奉帝何求 伏匿穴處爰何雲 荊勛作師夫何長 悟過改更我又何言 吳光爭國久余是勝 何環穿自閭社丘陵爰出子文 吾告堵敖以不長 何試上自予忠名彌彰 |
| At dusk, thunder and lightning—what sorrow did he return to? His dignity was not honored; what did the emperor seek from him? Hiding in caves, where were these words spoken? Jing Xun became a teacher—who made him so long-lived? Realizing past mistakes and changing them, what more could I say? Wu Guang contended for the kingdom; for a long time, I was victorious. What circular passage led from the village to the altar on the hill where Ziwen emerged? I told Du Ao that he would not live long— Why did he ascend and offer himself, making his loyal name even more illustrious? |
URN: ctp:chu-ci/tian-wen