Parrot Islet

Parrot Islet

Originally located in the middle of the Yangtze River outside Wuchang City, Wuhan. Legend has it that it was named after Mi Heng, a scholar from the late Eastern Han Dynasty, who composed an essay titled “Ode to the Parrot” at a banquet hosted by Huang She, the eldest son of Huang Zu. The piece was so eloquent and brilliant that it was described as “clanging like gold and jade, with every line seemingly ready to take flight.” Later, Mi Heng was executed by Huang Zu and was also buried on the islet. Throughout the dynasties, many renowned individuals moored their boats at Parrot Islet to gaze upon the magnificent river scenery, leaving behind numerous poems. Tang poet Cui Hao wrote, “The clear river reflects the trees of Hanyang plain, / Sweet grass luxuriant on Parrot Islet so fair;” Li Bai penned, “Mist clears from orchid leaves, warm winds waft their scent, / Riverbanks lined with peach blooms stir waves bright;” and Meng Haoran recalled, “Once atop River Town’s Yellow Crane Tower I stood, / Gazing far at Parrot Islet in the stream.” These verses became widely celebrated. However, the islet gradually sank by the end of the Ming Dynasty. The current Parrot Islet, located outside the Lanjiang Dyke in Hanyang, emerged as a new alluvial formation during the Qing Qianlong era (1736–1795), and was once called “Buke Islet.” During the Jiaqing era (1796–1820), it was renamed Parrot Islet, and in the 26th year of the Guangxu reign (1900), Mi Heng’s tomb was rebuilt. The tomb is built of stone, square in shape, with an inscribed plaque reading “Tomb of Mi Heng, Scholar of the Han Dynasty,” exuding a quaint and unique charm.

Location

Hanyang District, Wuhan City