Yuan Deming
A Jin dynasty poet who lived in seclusion and never took office; father of Yuan Haowen.
Life
Repeatedly failed the exams
Yuan Deming was a native of Xiurong in Taiyuan and a descendant of the Tuoba clan of the Northern Wei. After repeatedly failing the exams, he gave up on the civil service examinations and lived in seclusion in his hometown, amusing himself with poetry and wine.
Lived in seclusion with poetry and wine
His poetry was fresh and natural in style; a collection of his poems survives, and he enjoyed considerable fame in Jin dynasty poetic circles.
Father of Yuan Haowen
His son Yuan Haowen went on to become the greatest poet of the Jin-Yuan transition; the lines "I ask the world: what is love, that it makes lovers pledge themselves in life and death?" are his.
Legacy
Yuan Deming was an important reclusive poet of the Jin dynasty, and his family learning deeply influenced his son Yuan Haowen.
Major works & achievements
- Poetry collection
Did you know? The Yuan clan were descendants of the Northern Wei Tuoba clan, who adopted the Chinese surname Yuan.
Key dates
- 1180Repeatedly failed the exams; lived in seclusion (approx.)
- 1200Grew famous as a poet (approx.)