Selected Poems, Ci Poetry, and Songs of Qiu Jin

Qiu Jin (1877-1907), original name Guijin, courtesy names Xuanqing and Jingxiong, and art name Danwu, identified herself as the Heroine of the Jian Lake and the Daughter of Han Heroes.An advocate of Chinese women’s rights and women’s studies, she insists equal rights for men and women and promotes democratic revolution. She was an important figure in the Chinese democratic revolutionary movement, and a pioneer in the Chinese women’s liberation movement. Mr. Sun Yat-sen, the great revolutionary forerunner, personally wrote for her the words “A Heroic Woman” and spoke highly of her personality and achievements.Some scholars say that Qiu Jin has three souls: the soul of poetry, of wine, and of sword. The soul of poetry has contributed to Qiu Jin’s literary achievements, the soul of wine her courage, and the soul of sword her boldness and feminism. She was not only a revolutionary, a feminist, but also a rare talented woman good at writing poetry, ci poetry, and songs.This translation consists of 123 poems, 3 ci poems, and 2 songs by Qiu Jin.