Huang Chao Poem: The Chrysanthemum – 黄巢《菊花》

菊花

黄巢

待到秋来九月八^[1]，

我花^[2]开后百花杀。

冲天香阵^[3]透长安，

满城尽带黄金甲^[4]。

注释：

[1] 九月八：九月九日是重阳节，古代有赏菊、喝菊花酒的风俗。

[2] 我花：这里指菊花。

[3] 香阵：这里指菊花的芬芳。

[4] 黄金甲：这里指菊花的形状与颜色像黄金制的盔甲。

The Chrysanthemum

Huang Chao

When autumn comes, the Mountain-climbing Day is nigh;

My flower blows when other blooms come to an end.

In battle array its fragrance rises sky-high,

The capital with its golden armor will blend.

The poet speaks as if he were the lord of chrysanthemums in golden armor. The Mountain-climbing Day is the ninth day of the ninth moon according to lunar calendar.