Xi Murong: A Poetic Symphony of the Steppe and Modernity

30‑second overview: Xi Murong was the best‑selling poet in Taiwan during the 1980s. After the 1981 publication of Qili Xiang, the collection was reprinted seven times within a year, sweeping across Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Mainland China. She is also a formally trained oil painter and a descendant of the Mongol Chahar tribe; after first stepping onto the steppe in 1989, her poetic vision shifted from urban lyricism to writing about ethnic culture.

A Multicultural Growing Up

Xi Murong’s birth name was Mu Lun · Xi Lianbo. She was born on 15 October 1943 in Jingangpo, Chongqing. Her father, Xi Zhenduo (Mongol name Lasi Dondok), was a Chahar “Eight Banners” representative in the first National Assembly, and her mother, Le Zhufang (Mongol name Bayin Bilig), was also Mongolian. This steppe‑derived lineage gave her a sensitivity to the “lost homeland” that surpassed that of most families who migrated to Taiwan. The turbulence of war made her experience displacement and longing for her native land from an early age.

In 1949, six‑year‑old Xi Murong moved with her family to Hong Kong. The international environment there exposed her to a blend of Chinese and Western cultures, profoundly influencing her later creations. During her Hong Kong years she encountered both traditional Chinese culture and Western literature and art.

In 1954 she settled in Taiwan with her family. The natural scenery and cultural environment of Taiwan during her adolescence provided abundant material for her poetry. Taiwan’s mountains, waters, flora, and seasonal changes repeatedly appear as imagery in her poems.

Studies at the National Taiwan Normal University College of Arts

After graduating from high school, Xi Murong entered the Department of Fine Arts at National Taiwan Normal University (NTNU). Training in fine arts sharpened her sense of colour and composition, artistic sensibilities that later merged into her poetry. ¹

During her time at NTNU she achieved success in painting and began literary experimentation, reading extensively in both Chinese and foreign poetry. Modern poets left a deep imprint on her, helping her develop her own poetic language.

Upon graduating in 1966, she pursued further studies at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Brussels, Belgium. The museums, churches, and historic architecture of Europe left a lasting impression and broadened her creative outlook. ²

*Qili Xiang*: A Stunning Debut on the Poetry Scene

In the 1970s Xi Murong mainly worked in visual art and teaching; poetry was still a hobby. However, the 1981 publication of the Qili Xiang poetry collection made her an overnight focus of the poetry world. Within a year the book was reprinted seven times, setting a sales record for modern Taiwanese poetry. ³

The success of Qili Xiang lies in its clear, accessible language—never pretentious, yet capable of conveying genuine emotion in simplicity and depth in plainness. Xi Murong skillfully employs everyday images such as flowers, the moon, wind, and rain to express complex inner feelings.

The poem “A Tree in Bloom” became a classic of Chinese‑language poetry:
How can you meet me / at my most beautiful moment / for this / I have prayed before the Buddha for five hundred years / asking him to bind us with a dust‑bound fate.
Its beautiful imagery and moving sentiment continue to be widely quoted.

*Youth Without Regret*: A Poetic Re‑examination of Youth

Published in 1982, Youth Without Regret continued the success of Qili Xiang. The collection focuses on themes of youth, love, and friendship, revealing the poet’s profound insight into life. The title itself expresses nostalgia for bygone years and admiration for youth. ⁴

Xi Murong’s poems often start from a concrete scene or object, then expand and ultimately ascend to philosophical heights. A distinctive feature of Youth Without Regret is its musicality—strong rhythm that suits recitation, allowing readers to experience the beauty of poetry through sound.

Prose and Mongolian Sentiment

Beyond poetry, Xi Murong is also an essayist. In the late 1980s she published essay collections such as Traces of Growth and There Is a Song, continuing the fresh style of her poetry with elegant prose and sincere emotion.

In 1989 she stepped onto the Mongolian steppe for the first time; this journey of roots profoundly affected her. She began producing a large body of work centered on Mongolia—poems and essays such as My Home Is on the Plateau and The Rivers Await—showcasing her deep affection for the steppe and contemplation of ethnic culture. Using modern poetic forms, she expressed longing for ancient culture and affirmation of her ethnic identity. ⁵

The 2019 collection I Name My Memories is a later‑life anthology, reflecting on a lifetime of wandering and root‑seeking with a more tranquil, restrained tone.

The Perfect Fusion of Painting and Poetry

As a formally trained painter, Xi Murong never abandoned visual art. Her oil paintings are fresh and natural, closely mirroring the style of her poetry. Moreover, her poems often possess strong visual qualities, allowing readers to picture vivid scenes while reading.

She has repeatedly organized poetry‑painting exhibitions, merging literature and visual art into a practicable interdisciplinary form that has been warmly received by audiences. ⁶

Educational Career and Cultural Transmission

Since 1984, Xi Murong has taught in the Department of Fine Arts at Tunghai University, and also taught for many years at the National Hsinchu University of Education (now the National Tsing Hua University College of Education). She believes that the core of art education is the inspiration of emotion and spirit; technique is merely a tool, while aesthetic sensibility is the soul. Her teaching philosophy has influenced numerous later art practitioners.

She frequently gives talks at schools and community centers, sharing creative insights with readers. Her approachable demeanor and sincerity have touched countless listeners and contributed to the popularisation of poetry.

Literary Achievements and Historical Significance

Xi Murong’s poetry collections have sold over one million copies and have been translated into multiple languages worldwide. She has received awards such as the Sun Yat‑sen Literary Award and the National Cultural and Arts Foundation Award. ⁷

Unlike the refined elegance of 白先勇 or the rational critique of 龍應台, Xi Murong chose a gentler path. In today’s fast‑paced modern life, her poetry offers spiritual comfort. Her work demonstrates that women’s delicate perception and unique perspective can create literature that moves hearts.

References

Further Reading

• National Museum of Taiwan Literature — Collections of Xi Murong’s works and artifacts.
• 白先勇 — Contemporary Taiwanese literary master, known for Taipei People.