紫云 (Zǐyún)

「紫气东来，祥瑞西至」

Purple mist arrives from the east; auspicious signs descend from the west

— Chinese Traditional Blessing

The purple mist from the east symbolizes the arrival of good fortune — 'purple mist from the east' is the most auspicious of omens.

「日照香炉生紫烟，遥看瀑布挂前川」

Sunlight on the Incense Burner Peak gives rise to violet mist; from afar, the waterfall hangs like a silk stream before the cliff

— Li Bai, 'Viewing the Waterfall at Mount Lu'

Sunlight strikes Incense Burner Peak and violet mists rise; in the distance, the waterfall hangs like a white sash draped across the mountain.

「行到水穷处，坐看云起时」

Walking to where the stream runs dry, I sit and watch the clouds rise

— Wang Wei, 'My Retreat at Mount Zhongnan'

When the path ends where the stream dries up, I sit and watch the clouds gather — a serene acceptance of life's natural course.

「曾经沧海难为水，除却巫山不是云」

Having seen the vast ocean, no other water can compare; having beheld the clouds of Mount Wu, no other clouds are worthy

— Yuan Zhen, 'Thoughts of Parting'

Having witnessed the boundless ocean, no other water suffices; having seen the clouds above Mount Wu, no others are worthy — a love so deep it eclipses all else.

「浮云游子意，落日故人情」

Floating clouds mirror the wanderer's thoughts; the setting sun reflects an old friend's feelings

— Li Bai, 'Farewell to a Friend'

Drifting clouds resemble the wanderer's restless path; the setting sun mirrors an old friend's lingering sorrow — a classic farewell poem.