The Gold-Threaded Robe Poem

I was thinking about the fleeting brilliance of gold, inspired by the golden leaves I saw drifting in the stream—so bright, yet so temporary, soon to mulch and wilt. I wanted to find a poem that captured that same sense of impermanence. My search led me to a Tang dynasty lyric, known as The Gold-Threaded Robe (Chinese: 金缕衣). This anonymous poem uses the image of a precious garment to explore impermanence and the value of youth. Its simple but powerful message resonated immediately: material wealth is fleeting, while time and opportunity are treasures to be cherished.

The Poem and Its Imagery

Here is the translated poem:

Covet not a gold-threaded robe, Cherish only your young days! If a bud opens, gather it —Lest you but wait for an empty bough.

The “gold-threaded robe” symbolizes luxury and material wealth, something highly desired but ultimately transient. The poem reminds us not to place too much value on possessions, but to treasure life’s fleeting moments—just as the golden leaves in the stream caught my attention for their brief, luminous presence.

The final lines convey urgency: when the bud blooms, that is the moment to act and enjoy life’s gifts. Wait too long, and the branch will be bare. This metaphor captures impermanence, a central theme in Tang poetry and a concept that feels especially poignant today.

The Symbolism of Gold in Chinese Poetry

Gold in Chinese literature often represents wealth, status, and luxury—but poets use it to highlight the limits of material success. In this poem, gold is not a prize but a warning: life’s true treasures are fleeting, and the ephemeral moments we experience are what make them meaningful.