Lovesickness

Red beans grow in the southern land, in spring they send forth many branches. I hope you will gather them abundantly, for they most embody longing.

Red beans in southern lands do grow, when spring arrives, new branches show. I hope you'll gather them with care, for they are tokens of longing rare.

Wang Wei, known as the 'Poet Buddha,' wrote this simple yet profound poem that became synonymous with romantic longing in Chinese culture. Red beans (相思豆) literally mean 'lovesickness beans' and are still given as tokens of affection in Chinese tradition. The poem's genius lies in its simplicity—by focusing on a concrete object, Wang Wei expresses abstract emotions that resonate across time and culture. This four-line masterpiece demonstrates how everyday objects can carry deep emotional significance.