Original text: The sound of firecrackers marks the end of the year, and the spring breeze brings warmth to Tusu. Thousands of households always replace old talismans with new peaches.

From: "Yuan Ri" by Wang Anshi of the Song Dynasty.

Translation: The old year has passed with the sound of firecrackers, and we happily drink Tusu wine in the warm spring breeze. The rising sun shines on thousands of households, and they all take off the old peach charms and replace them with new ones.

Creative background

This poem was written when Wang Anshi first paid homage to the prime minister and began to implement his New Deal. In order to get rid of the political and economic crisis faced by the Song Dynasty and the constant intrusion of Liao and Xixia, in 1068, Song Shenzong summoned Wang Anshi to "come into power more and more times", and Wang Anshi immediately wrote a letter advocating reform. The following year, he was appointed as the political advisor and presided over the reform. On the New Year's Day of the same year, Wang Anshi thought of the new atmosphere at the beginning of the reform and wrote this poem.

This is a poem about welcoming the New Year in ancient times. It is based on folk customs. It sensitively captures the typical materials of ordinary people celebrating the Spring Festival and captures the representative details of life: lighting firecrackers, drinking Tusu wine and new peach charms fully express the joyful atmosphere of the New Year and are full of strong flavor of life. It expresses the author's thoughts and feelings on political innovation, and is full of cheerfulness and positive spirit.