Seeing China through the eyes of classic Iranian poetry

The friendship between China and Iran has a long history, with deep-rooted ties along the Silk Road dating back centuries. At the same time, the brilliance of Chinese culture spread along this route to the distant land of Persia, enriching cultural exchanges between the two countries.

Throughout history, Chinese culture and civilization gradually permeated various aspects of Iranian society, particularly literature.

Chinese elements became an essential source of inspiration for Persian poets, who not only wove Chinese landscapes, characters and stories into their verses, but also expressed deep admiration and longing for Chinese aesthetics, craftsmanship and sculpture. These literary works are not only a testament to the cultural exchanges between China and Iran, but also a valuable legacy of mutual learning between civilizations.

Diverse elements of Chinese culture and civilization have influenced Persian literature, particularly Persian poetry. Many poets evoke the mystique of China in their work. In the vast universe of Persian literature, poets have long woven their admiration for and depictions of China into their work.

This tradition became more pronounced after Ferdowsi's Shahnameh (Book of Kings). Spanning centuries, these poems reflect deep perceptions of China, shaped by both observation and imagination. Throughout the long history of cultural exchanges, some Persian poets even visited China — Saadi, for example, visited Kashgar in Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region in the late 14th century and recorded an encounter with a young man in The Rose Garden.

As we all know, China has been famous for its traditional medicine since ancient times, and musk from Hotan prefecture in Xinjiang, was once a special link between the two cultures. In Persian poetry, musk is praised as a substance endowed with a poetic soul. It is like a messenger traveling through time and space, bringing freshness and inspiration to Persian poetry and injecting new vitality and spiritual connotations into this ancient literary tradition. Persian poets such as Hafez and Farid al-Din Attar wrote affectionately about Hotan musk.

In classical Persian poetry, the depiction of ideal love is often deeply influenced by Chinese culture. This influence recurs throughout Persian poetry, shaping its particular, and profound portrayal of love. For instance, the Chigil, an ancient tribe that inhabited today's Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region and parts of Kyrgyzstan, was used as a poetic symbol of beauty in Persian literature. Persian poets transformed the Chigil into a lasting emblem of elegance and charm, forever immortalized in their verses.

Rumi, in Divan-i Shams (The Collected Poems of Shams), wrote:

"What should you know of the (sweet) savor of patience, O you of brittle heart —

Especially, of patience for the sake of that Beauty of Chigil?"

In the history of Persian poetry, references to Chinese architecture can be traced back to the early Ghaznavid Dynasty, one that's with a Turkic origin that ruled over parts of what is today Afghanistan, Iran and India from the 10th to the 12th centuries. During this period, Persian poets subtly incorporated descriptions and praise of Chinese architecture into their works. The distinctive design and layout of Chinese courtyards particularly captivated Persian poets, who regarded them as the pinnacle of architectural elegance and expressed admiration for their beauty in their poetry.

For instance, Sanai, in The Walled Garden of Truth, wrote:

"What a lucky soul, bathing in the gentle embrace of spring.

Enjoying the sweetness of kisses, the joy of embraces, the most beautiful in the world.

That Chinese-style courtyard, with an infinite view,

Like a glory, like a treasure generously given by Caesar to his beloved daughter,

Radiating nobility and elegance."

Sanai's poem delicately captures the joy of spring's return, while also skillfully weaving in the artistic charm of Chinese courtyards. This fusion of imagery adds an exotic and culturally rich dimension to the poem.

In Iranian culture, poetry is key to depicting other countries. China, as an ideal land in Iranian mythology, has crafted a positive and captivating image, symbolized by "ideal love", its famous musk, and brilliant art. It enriches Iran's multicultural perspective and deepens the Iranian people's understanding and respect of Chinese culture. Acting as a bridge, poetry has facilitated the integration of the two cultures, enhancing Iran's appreciation of Chinese history and civilization. It has also laid a solid foundation for friendly relations between the two countries, underscoring the crucial role of cultural exchanges in fostering international cooperation.

Ehsan Doostmohammadi is an associate professor at the School of History and Culture of Southwest University in Chongqing and a recipient of the Special Book Award of China in 2023, the highest national accolade for foreigners in publishing.

Fang Aiqing contributed to this story.