“Where the Yuan weaves the orchid,” “Yuan Zhi Li Lan” in mandarin, comes from THE SONGS OF CHU, “The Lady of the Xiang River.” The original line — “By the Yuan grows Zhi (angelica); by the Li grows Lan (orchid). / I long for my lord, yet dare not speak.”
The Yuan and the Li are two great rivers in Hunan province in China from ancient time till now, and angelica and orchid are fragrant plants growing beside the river and often associated with purity and elegance. Paired with “The Lord of the Xiang River,” the poem forms a set of mirroring love songs: the River Lord and Lady agree to meet by the water, but each arrives at the wrong time, waiting in vain for the other.
In this book, “Yuan Zhi Li Lan” leans closer to its literal meaning, but also echoes the ancient spirit about living harmony with nature. It is much like a remark the author once made in an interview many years ago: “Life is a long, long river. I walk along its banks, and when I see a beautiful stone, I pick it up, slip it into my pocket, and sort it when I get home.”