This paper re-examines the intended meaning of the term “six horses” (liuma) in Du Fu’s poem Raising the Banner (Yangqi). Through an analysis of both its symbolic imagery and literal description, and in light of Du Fu’s political thought, Tang dynasty conceptions of “six horses,” and the flag policy of military governors during the Guangde era, the paper argues that the term does not refer to the metaphorical “six-horse imperial chariot,” the image of “six horses raising their heads for feed,” or the misreading of “five horses and one dapple-gray horse” as suggested by earlier scholars. Instead, the “six horses” are a literal reference to cavalrymen bearing six dao banners (liudaoqi). The article first traces the image of “six horses” in Wen Xuan and Complete Tang Poems, observing its frequent association with emperors or auspicious symbolism. Then, based on the Tang military banner system and Yan Wu’s identity as a military governor, it demonstrates that “six horses” refers specifically to the cavalry entering the field while bearing six large banners.
Research Article
Open Access