Hai Zi

Hai Zi (海子), born Zha Haisheng (查海生) on March 24, 1964, and deceased March 26, 1989, was a prominent Chinese poet of the late 20th century. He is considered one of the most important figures in the "misty poetry" (朦胧诗) movement, although his own style evolved beyond the initial ambiguity associated with that term.

Hai Zi was born in Gaobeidian, Anhui province. He displayed exceptional academic talent, entering Peking University's law department at the age of 15. After graduating in 1983, he was assigned to work at the China University of Political Science and Law as a teacher.

His poetry is characterized by themes of nature, particularly his love for wheat fields and the countryside, a yearning for spiritual fulfillment, and an exploration of death and sacrifice. He frequently referenced classical Chinese literature, mythology, and philosophy in his work, drawing inspiration from both traditional Chinese culture and Western literature. His poems often evoke a sense of longing, loneliness, and a search for meaning in a rapidly modernizing world.

Hai Zi struggled with feelings of isolation and disillusionment. In 1989, at the age of 25, he committed suicide by lying on a railway track in Shanhaiguan. His death, occurring shortly before the Tiananmen Square protests, contributed to his iconic status and cemented his legacy as a tragic figure in contemporary Chinese literature. His poems continue to be widely read and studied, and he is remembered as a powerful and influential voice in Chinese poetry.