An Analysis of Neo-Confucianism Expression with Respect to the Natural Image of Zhu Xi's Poetry
Zhu Xi's poetry uses adequate natural images to express Neo-Confucianism.The natural images which express Neo-Confucianism of Zhu Xi's poetry mainly include landscape depiction,sea-sonal changes,flowers and plants,birds and beasts,clouds and night.Zhu Xi's poetry not only express-es philosophical ideas such as Li Qi theory,theory of mind and nature,and epistemology,cultivation theory through natural imagery,but also embodies his thoughts of caring for the country and the peo-ple,his belief and determination to adhere to Neo Confucianism,and his academic experience.The ori-gins that contributed to Zhu Xi's artistic consciousness and poetic achievements include the poetic tradi-tion of expressing emotions through natural image,expressing virtues through things,and being influ-enced by the deep-accumulated elder Neo-Confucianist expressing Neo-Confucianism through poetry.The aesthetic characteristics of the natural image in Zhu Xi's poetry is featured by the unity of profane and Neo-Confucianism,the combination of emotion and Neo-Confucianism,and the integration of beauty and Neo-Confucianism.