Xue Tao (approximately 768-832 AD) was a legendary Tang dynasty female poet with the courtesy name Hongdu. He was born in Chang’an (now Xi’an, Shaanxi). At the age of 16, he entered the music industry and had romantic relationships with Wei Gao and Yuan Zhen. During their relationship, Xue Tao made his own peach colored small notes to write poetry, which later generations imitated and called “Xue Tao Notes”. After retiring from music, he remained unmarried for life. There is a tomb of Xue Tao in Chengdu Wangjianglou Park. Xue Tao, Liu Caichun, Yu Xuanji, and Li Ye are collectively known as the Four Great Poets of the Tang Dynasty. Zhuo Wenjun, Xue Tao, Lady Huarui, and Huang E are collectively known as the Four Great Talented Women of Shu. There are over 90 poems that have been passed down to this day.
薛涛（约768～832年），是一个带有传奇色彩的唐代女诗人，字洪度。长安（今陕西西安）人。16岁入乐籍，与韦皋，元稹有过恋情，恋爱期间，薛涛自己制作桃红色小笺用来写诗，后人仿制，称“薛涛笺”。脱乐籍后终身未嫁。成都望江楼公园有薛涛墓” 。薛涛与刘采春，鱼玄机，李冶，并称唐朝四大女诗人。卓文君、薛涛、花蕊夫人、黄娥并称蜀中四大才女。流传至今诗作有90余首。
薛涛·《珠离掌》
皎洁圆明内外通，清光似照水晶宫。
只缘一点玷相秽，不得终宵在掌中。
A Pearl Separated from the Palm
Xue Tao
Glistening thing, bright and round,
radiant throughout,
Its clear light seemingly reflects
palaces of crystal.
But due to just a single speck,
It’s ruined by a flaw,
And no more can it pass the night
in the owner’s palm.
