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Qu Yuan

Historical Figure
Pronunciation

Understanding ARPABET Pronunciation

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The pronunciation guide uses the ARPABET phonetic system—the same system used in speech recognition and text-to-speech applications.

Vowel Examples:
AE1 = cat, bat
EH1 = bed, head
IY1 = see, me
OW1 = go, boat
UW1 = boot, do
Stress Numbers:
0 = no stress (unstressed)
1 = primary stress (loud)
2 = secondary stress (medium)
Example:
AH0 TH IY1 N AH0
= a-THEE-na (Athena)

The stressed syllable (marked with 1) is pronounced louder and clearer than others.

Quick Definition

Ancient Chinese poet and statesman whose exile and suicide made him a symbol of patriotic sorrow and integrity.

Detailed Definition
Qu Yuan is one of the foundational figures of Chinese poetry, associated with the Songs of Chu and the lament of the loyal minister ignored by a corrupt court. His drowning in despair made him a lasting emblem of political grief and moral purity. Poets invoke him to express exile, fidelity, national sorrow, and the anguish of a truthful voice cast out by power.
Example
Example in poetry:
A poet might use Qu Yuan as an emblem of exile, integrity, and patriotic grief; His drowning can symbolise the poet’s refusal to betray conscience; A poem about political corruption might invoke Qu Yuan beside a river; His name may bring in dragon boats, orchids, lament, and the lonely loyal minister
Additional Notes
Qu Yuan is a major figure for poems about exile, loyal protest, political corruption, and patriotic sorrow. His association with the Chu state and his legendary drowning make water, lament, and ritual remembrance central to his symbolism. The Dragon Boat Festival keeps his memory culturally alive. In poetry, he may represent the moral official whose integrity cannot survive a degraded court.
Also Known As
Chu Yuan Qu Ping Qu Zi
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