Home » Poems » Byeol Captain » A Father's pleading

A Father's pleading

By mystic river's waters, Shielding mountains, illuminating sun, With clear jade, embrace unintentional mistakes. Within five kowtow, seeking heavenly Kindness beneath. Just like this, Fuqin kowtow five times to, 'Mountain outside the family' and 'Dragon king' To embrace the 'iron flower', protect her And let drop of water washes away the mistake. ~Byeol __________________________________________________________________________________________ Fuqin: father Mountain outside family: in-laws Dragon King: daughter husband Iron flower: daughter Let drop of water washes away mistake: forgive unintentional mistakes Explanation: this poem highlights the cultural and historical context of many Asian countries Where in-laws family are revered as equivalent to or given as much respect like dieties. Just as people bow 5 time to river, mountain and sun to seek protection and forgiveness for unintentional mistakes,the father bows 5 time to in-laws and husband. This gesture show the immense respect required of bride family towards groom family in historic times.

Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.

Please Login to post a comment

Andrea Dietrich

Date: 3/2/2025 4:14:00 PM

Thanks for the interpretation . It was very helpful

Byeol Captain
Date: 3/2/2025 10:06:00 PM

Your welcome.

Alesia Leach

Date: 2/28/2025 10:03:00 AM

This jueju has a strong emotional pull, weaving together nature, tradition, and deep familial devotion. The imagery of the mystic river, shielding mountains, and illuminating sun creates a grand, almost spiritual setting, reinforcing the gravity of the father’s plea. The reference to five kowtows and seeking heavenly kindness suggests a moment of deep humility and reverence, perhaps tied to cultural or spiritual beliefs.

Byeol Captain
Date: 2/28/2025 10:31:00 AM

Yes, quite like this I try to weave a connection of historic practices and moment to define the emotion and situation of a father who have to marry off his daughter. Marriage is seen as a very big thing in Asian countries to which not just the individual but the whole family is affected and that's one of the many reason too still this day many Asian places boy are preferred over girls, female foeticide and dowry problem. Having daughter is considered a very big responsibility.