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魂魄毅兮为鬼雄

魂魄毅兮為鬼雄
húnpòyìxīwéiguǐxióng
phrase

Meanings

  1. 1 the souls of the resolute become heroes among the ghosts
  2. 2 (fig.) fallen warriors continue their heroism in the underworld
  3. 3 (lit.) soul-spirit resolute-ah become ghost hero

Examples

身既死兮神以灵，魂魄毅兮为鬼雄，屈原悼国殇令人动容。
Shēn jì sǐ xī shén yǐ líng, húnpò yì xī wéi guǐ xióng, Qū Yuán dào guóshāng lìngrén dòngróng.
'The body is dead yet the spirit is numinous; the resolute soul becomes a hero among ghosts' — Qu Yuan's dirge for the fallen moves every reader.
烈士纪念碑上刻着魂魄毅兮为鬼雄。
Lièshì jìniànbēi shàng kèzhe húnpò yì xī wéi guǐ xióng.
On the martyrs' monument is carved: 'the resolute soul becomes a hero among ghosts.'

Tips

history
From 屈原《九歌·国殇》(Qu Yuan, 'Nine Songs — For Those Fallen for the Kingdom,' Warring States, 4th–3rd c. BCE), the shaman-hymn mourning Chu soldiers killed in battle: 诚既勇兮又以武，终刚强兮不可凌。身既死兮神以灵，子魂魄兮为鬼雄 (Truly brave and martial, firm to the end, beyond humiliation. The body dead, the spirit lives on — your soul, resolute, becomes a hero among ghosts). The line 生当作人杰，死亦为鬼雄 by 李清照 (Li Qingzhao) is its famous Song-dynasty echo.
usage
兮 (xī) is the signature Chuci exclamatory particle (≈ 'ah / oh'), found almost only in 《楚辞》. Often quoted in modern form 为鬼雄 (to become a hero even in death). Variant also written 子魂魄兮为鬼雄.

Stroke Order

魂 hún
魄 pò
毅 yì
兮 xī
为 wèi
鬼 guǐ
雄 xióng