Seven char regulated verse

Skill cxcscmu/SkillLearnBench/skills/b1-one-shot-claude-haiku-4-5/chinese-poem-generator/seven-char-regulated-verse

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Master the structure, tonal patterns, and rhyming requirements of classical seven-character regulated verse (七言律诗) in Chinese poetry.

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Seven-Character Regulated Verse (七言律诗) Structure

Overview

The seven-character regulated verse is one of the most refined forms of classical Chinese poetry. It consists of exactly 8 lines, with each line containing 7 characters.

Basic Structure Requirements

Line Count

Exactly 8 lines total
Format: Title (on line 1), then lines 1-8 of the poem

Character Count

Each line must have exactly 7 characters
Characters are meaningful units in classical Chinese (not syllables)

Rhyme Scheme

Lines 2, 4, 6, 8 must rhyme together
Rhyming is based on modern Mandarin pronunciation (following modern pinyin)
The rhymed character is typically at the end of the line
All rhyming lines share the same final sound (same tone vowel + consonant)

Tonal Pattern (Ping Ze 平仄)

The classical regulated verse follows strict tonal patterns:

平 (píng) = level/even tones (1st, 2nd tones in Mandarin)
仄 (zè) = oblique/departing tones (3rd, 4th tones in Mandarin)

Standard Tonal Pattern for Seven-Character Lines

Most common pattern (one of two acceptable patterns):

Line 1: 仄 仄 平 平 仄 仄 平
Line 2: 平 平 仄 仄 平 平 仄  (rhyme)
Line 3: 平 平 仄 仄 平 平 仄
Line 4: 仄 仄 平 平 仄 仄 平  (rhyme)
Line 5: 仄 仄 平 平 仄 仄 平
Line 6: 平 平 仄 仄 平 平 仄  (rhyme)
Line 7: 平 平 仄 仄 平 平 仄
Line 8: 仄 仄 平 平 仄 仄 平  (rhyme)

Alternative pattern:

Line 1: 平 平 仄 仄 平 平 仄
Line 2: 仄 仄 平 平 仄 仄 平  (rhyme)

Couplet Structure

The 8 lines form 4 couplets:

Opening couplet (lines 1-2): Introduces the theme
Development couplet (lines 3-4): Develops the theme further
Turning couplet (lines 5-6): Shifts perspective or deepens meaning
Closing couplet (lines 7-8): Resolves or concludes

Content Requirements

Each couplet should be relatively self-contained in meaning
Lines within a couplet should relate to each other
The poem should have a coherent overall narrative or emotional arc
Classical imagery and allusions are preferred

Antithesis (Duiou 对偶)

Regulated verses typically feature antithetical couplets where:

Opposite or complementary concepts are placed in parallel
Parallel grammatical structures are used
Creates balance and emphasis

Practical Composition Tips

Rhyme Selection

Choose your rhyme sound first (modern Mandarin pinyin)
Common peace-related rhymes: 安(ān), 天(tiān), 年(nián), 间(jiān), 还(huán), 川(chuān)

Building Process

Decide opening and closing themes
Choose rhyming characters for positions 2, 4, 6, 8
Build each line ensuring:
- Exactly 7 characters
- Correct tonal pattern
- Meaningful content
- Rhyme words in correct positions

Avoiding Common Mistakes

Don't exceed 7 characters per line
Ensure rhyming words have matching modern Mandarin finals
Maintain proper 平仄 alternation (though minor violations in internal positions are more acceptable than in the final position)
Keep classical vocabulary appropriate to theme

Historical Context

This verse form was perfected during the Tang Dynasty (618-907 CE) and remains the most prestigious form of classical Chinese poetry. It represents the pinnacle of technical mastery in Chinese poetic composition.