The Goddess of Lo River

The Goddess of the Lo River is a simple line drawing from the Yuan dynasty of a lovely woman. Yet behind the unadorned brushwork lies a wealth of meaning and tradition.

The painting depicts a woman named Fu Fei, who in ancient times was said to have drowned in the Lo River and transformed into an immortal. In historical records from around 300 B.C., she is described as haughty and overbearing. Later poetry, composed by Ts'ao Chih (192-232 A.D.), attributes a gentle grace to her character. This painting by Wei Chiu-ting shows the goddess riding the waves, robes fluttering in the wind. Her knotted hair and delicate sloping shoulders are true to the likeness depicted in Ts'ao Chih's poem.

Ts'ao Chih's flattering description of the goddess is explained by the poet's personal circumstances. Hopelessly in love with his elder brother's wife, Ts'ao was heartbroken at her early death. One night, the heavyhearted Ts'ao saw an apparition as he passed by the Lo River on his way home. He later described this experience in a poem.

His poem tells how a beautiful woman, her hair rising up as if floating in clouds, her skirts tossing about like mist scattered by the wind, appeared before him. Instantly infatuated, Ts'ao Chih called to the river waves to express his feelings to the goddess.

Although moved, the goddess explained to him that the worlds of gods and mortals were separate, and disappeared, leaving Ts'ao alone by the riverside, disturbed by the vanity and hopelessness of his affections.

After passing through the hands of three collectors, the painting eventually made its way to the National Palace Museum. Today, an ancient myth, a Han dynasty poem, and a romantic legend continue to be preserved in this lovely masterpiece.

(Jill Ardourel)