Meng Jiao

Meng Jiao (孟郊; 751 – 814 CE) was a Chinese poet of the Tang dynasty. He is known for his late-blooming literary career and his distinctive, often unusual and intensely personal style.

Meng Jiao was born in Huzhou (湖州), Zhejiang province. He struggled to pass the imperial examinations, finally succeeding at the relatively late age of 46. This experience of repeated failure and frustration significantly influenced his poetry.

After passing the examinations, Meng Jiao received a minor official post. However, he found it difficult to adapt to bureaucratic life and often felt out of place. He spent much of his time wandering and composing poetry.

Meng Jiao’s poetry is characterized by its use of stark imagery, unusual metaphors, and an emphasis on the poet's inner emotional landscape. He often explored themes of poverty, hardship, isolation, and the search for meaning in a difficult world. His style differs sharply from the more conventional and elegant style favored by many other Tang dynasty poets. While not universally admired during his lifetime, Meng Jiao's work has gained increasing recognition for its originality and emotional depth. He is particularly renowned for his "Gushi Shishou" (古詩十首), a collection of ten poems that showcase his unique poetic voice.

Meng Jiao died in Luoyang. He is remembered as a unique and important figure in the history of Chinese poetry.