seven-char-regulated-verse

Seven-Character Regulated Verse (七言律诗)

A guide for composing traditional Chinese poetry in the seven-character regulated verse format.

Core Structure

• Length: Exactly 8 lines.
• Line Length: Exactly 7 characters per line.
• Couplets: The poem consists of 4 couplets:
  1. Shoulian (首联): Lines 1-2 (Head couplet) - Introduces the theme.
  2. Hanlian (颔联): Lines 3-4 (Jaw couplet) - Develops the theme; MUST be parallel (antithesis).
  3. Jinglian (颈联): Lines 5-6 (Neck couplet) - Transitions or deepens the theme; MUST be parallel (antithesis).
  4. Wei-lian (尾联): Lines 7-8 (Tail couplet) - Concludes the poem.

Rhyming (Modern Mandarin)

• Rhyme typically occurs at the end of even-numbered lines (2, 4, 6, 8).
• Line 1 may also rhyme (optional but common).
• Use modern Mandarin pronunciation for rhyming.
• All rhyming lines should share the same vowel sound (and often the same tone, usually level tone/平声).

Parallelism (Dui-zhang 对仗)

• Required for the middle two couplets (lines 3-4 and 5-6).
• Nouns should match nouns, verbs match verbs, adjectives match adjectives.
• Imagery should be balanced (e.g., "mountain" vs "river", "old" vs "new").

Tone Patterns (Ping-ze 平仄)

• Traditionally, regulated verse follows strict tonal patterns (Level/Ping and Oblique/Ze).
• While modern Mandarin tones (1, 2 = Level; 3, 4 = Oblique) can be used, prioritize the semantic flow and structural parallelism first unless strict classical adherence is requested.

Common Themes

• Nature, parting, history, war, and personal reflection.
• Use of classical imagery (e.g., autumn wind, lonely moon, frontier fortress).