Li Qingzhao

Li Qingzhao

Li Qingzhao (1084-1155) was a renowned female ci poet of the Northern Song Dynasty (960-1127), known for her delicate style. She was widely regarded as the "preeminent female talent of all time". Born into a scholarly family, Li was given a solid literary foundation during her childhood. After marrying Zhao Mingcheng, she led a happy life and devoted herself to the collection and arrangement of calligraphy, painting, and inscriptions. During this period her works were lively and optimistic, often depicting carefree girlhood and the longing for her husband after they were separated. Her writings fully expressed the rich emotions of women in the boudoir. Later, due to war and turmoil, she was forced to flee to the south. After her husband's death and the fall of her homeland, Li Qingzhao's life was filled with hardship and loneliness. Her works turned melancholic and poignant, reflecting her deep emotions and the sorrows of her time.

Li's poetry exhibits a unique blend of delicacy and strength, tenderness and determination, and lofty aspirations that transcend the traditional constraints imposed upon female poets. She stood out as an exemplar of independent and self-assured female poets in ancient Chinese literature.

李清照

李清照（1084—1155），北宋著名女词人，婉约派代表，有“千古第一才女”之称。李清照出身书香门第，儿时在良好的家庭环境中打下扎实的文学基础。她婚后与丈夫赵明诚共同致力于书画金石的搜集整理，生活美满。这一时期，她的作品热情活泼，明快天真，多写无忧无虑的少女生活、婚后对丈夫的离别相思等，充分表现了闺阁女性的丰富感情。后来，在因战乱流落南方后，她因丈夫去世、国破家亡而颠沛流离、孤独无依，在词作中多表现为缠绵凄苦，深沉伤感。

李清照的词既有婉约温馨，又有刚强健举，还有高远飞扬，突破了传统女性词作的风格桎梏，成为中国古代文学史上独立自主的女性诗词人代表。