Introduction

"美男" is a term in Chinese that refers to handsome men or good-looking men. In ancient China, beauty was often associated with men who possessed both external and internal beauty, such as grace, talent, and moral character. Throughout Chinese literature, "美男" has been a frequent subject for poets and writers. In this article, we will explore some of the most famous poetry lines that depict "美男" and their English translations.

The Beauty of Men in Poetry

1. "海角七号" - 胡夏 Translation: "Corner of the Sea" - Hu Xia - 怎么会这样，怎么会这样 - How could it be, how could it be - 美丽的你出现在我眼前 - That the beautiful you would appear before my eyes - 怎么会这样，怎么会这样 - How could it be, how could it be - 让我心动不已，让我心动不已 - You make my heart flutter, you make my heart flutter This song describes the moment of falling in love at first sight with a beautiful man. The repeated questioning of "how could it be" adds to the sense of disbelief and wonder at encountering such a stunning specimen. 2. "新月格格" - 金玉良缘 Translation: "Maiden of the New Moon" - The Legendary Princesses TV series theme song - 春华秋实，有你何求 - With you, spring and autumn yield their respective fruits - 满目皆是春色，翠幕成双柳拂堤 - Everywhere is spring, with green screens and willows on both banks - 嫣然一笑，天下难逢 - One sweet smile, so rare among all the world This song praises the beauty of the main female character, but also mentions her love interest, who is described as "rare among all the world", and whose appearance is not elaborated upon beyond that. 3. "长恨歌" - 白居易 Translation: "Song of Everlasting Regret" - Bai Juyi - 玉楼寂寂香门闭，乌鹊桥边一听琴 - The Jade Tower stands silent, its fragrant door closed. - At Ugly Bridge, he hears music and stops. - 闻道王孙归不归，苦恨年年压金线 - Does he return or not? Booted, soars my heart, - From east to west, far to and fro again, - I rue with bitter tears that we are born of different times, - Our paths, in this life, forever intertwined. This poem tells the tragic story of Emperor Tang Xuanzong and his lover Yang Guifei. Though the lines speak more of sadness and longing than of physical beauty, Yang Guifeis beauty is said to have captured the heart of the Emperor, enough that she became one of the Four Beauties of ancient China.

The Beauty of Men in Prose

1. "肆月谷" - 琼瑶 Translation: "Fourth Moon Valley" - Chiung Yao - 用力地笑，眼底有水，他眨眨眼，“这么好笑吗？” - He laughed with such force and tenderness in his eyes that she began to feel faintly dizzy. "Whats so funny?" he asked, blinking. In this romantic novel, a young girl falls in love with a handsome and kind-hearted man who makes her laugh. His laughter is described as both attractive and disorienting, underscoring the power of charisma and magnetism held by beautiful men. 2. "三国演义" - 罗贯中 Translation: "Romance of the Three Kingdoms" - Luo Guanzhong - 诸葛亮出帐，仰头极目，见天际之间彤云四合，奏曰：“峨眉女侠出鲍鱼之肆，卓文君出梁山泊之聚，今番又有神龙驾尾于前，此非吉兆，必有归天之叹矣。” - Zhuge Liang emerged from his tent and gazed up into the sky. He saw the vermilion clouds piling up, and said to himself, "When the valiant nun of Emei leaves the fish stall and when Zhuo Wenjun concludes the meeting at Mount Liang, there must be an ill omen in the land. Now we see the divine dragons tail ahead of us, so it seems that a mighty sigh will soon resound through the heavens." In this historical fiction, which narrates the moments leading up to the end of the Han dynasty and the subsequent Three Kingdoms period, Zhuge Liang remarks on the beauty of the heavens. He uses metaphors that involve some of the most famous women in ancient Chinese literature, implying that great events or change must be coming, as evidenced by the beauty and grandeur of other phenomena.

Conclusion

The idea of "美男" is one that has been celebrated in Chinese literature for centuries. These verses and passages help to paint a picture of what Chinese people have considered beautiful in men, showing that physical appearance alone is not enough to be "美男"; rather it is a combination of looks, grace, talents, inner beauty, and character that creates a truly beautiful man.