张先
宋
Zhang Xian, courtesy name Ziye, was a Northern Song ci poet from Wucheng. His poetry is known for elegance, delicacy, and refined descriptions of urban life, lakeside scenery, banquets, music, and romantic feeling. He was especially admired for his skill in writing 'shadows,' earning the nickname 'Zhang of Three Shadows.' Famous lines such as 'When clouds break and the moon appears, flowers play with their shadows' show his sensitivity to light and movement. Zhang Xian stands as an important transitional figure in the development of Song ci, carrying forward the graceful beauty of earlier lyrics while moving toward a more detailed and lived-in Song style.