Couplet reading “Time flies with the ravine streams, and the mountain clouds have witnessed ancient and present times”

Couplet reading “Time flies with the ravine streams, and the mountain clouds have witnessed ancient and present times”

The couplet is hung on Zhongde Gate on the right of the front gate of Yuyan Academy. The inscription on the left roll reads “Mid Spring of Ji Hai of Guangxu Period”, and on the right roll it reads “Written by Fu Xi of Qingquan” together with a seal. The black cursive script in an orange background is under the influence of both the Tie (writing scrolls) School and Bei (stone inscriptions) School, featuring upright structure, broad form, prudent strokes and lofty and ancient style, and showing the profound calligraphic skills. “Time flies with the ravine streams, and the mountain clouds have witnessed ancient and present times.” It means that stream of ravine and clouds of mountains around the academy have witnessed the vicissitudes of the world and passing of the time. Only by reading and mastering the truth can people refuse to idle away, look beyond the times and communicate with the heaven and earth.