*“She walks in beauty, like the night
Of cloudless climes and starry skies;
And all that’s best of dark and bright
Meet in her aspect and her eyes.”
- by Lord Byron
"She Walk in Beauty" is one of our favorite poems and has inspired us throughout the entire journey of creating the brand, Stanza.
Lord Byron sure knew how to capture the essence of beauty in words, didn’t he? The way his words can slip off your tongue, sweet and smooth. Like applying butter to a wound, it soothes the aching soul with a vivid image of a beautiful woman. (Don't actually try it! It's a popular belief, but please use better ways to treat a wound!)
"She Walks in Beauty" is one of those poems that, no matter how many times you read it, always brings new meaning. It’s a piece that speaks to the harmony between darkness and light, the interplay of contrast, and how true beauty is found not in perfection but in balance. Byron invites us to think about beauty in a way that's not just about what we see, but about the essence of who someone is.
The Mysterious Aura of Beauty
When Byron writes, “She walks in beauty,” he’s not simply saying this woman is beautiful. Instead, he suggests that she carries beauty with her, as if it's part of the air around her. She’s not just beautiful in a physical sense; beauty surrounds her, almost like a gravitational pull. This subtle difference changes everything. It’s not just about outward appearance but something she radiates from within. And isn’t that something we all admire? A beauty that’s not only visible but felt.
Then Byron adds complexity by describing her beauty as a balance of “dark and bright.” It's not just light that makes her beautiful—it's the contrast, the interplay of opposites that creates something striking. Imagine a starry night sky: serene, clear, and peaceful, but also full of mystery. That’s the kind of beauty Byron is getting at—a harmony between contrasts, where shadow and light coexist.
Beauty in Harmony
The comparison of the woman to the night is both romantic and elusive. Nights without clouds, where the stars shine their brightest, offer a sense of calm but also a bit of wonder. The poem suggests that true beauty lies in this balance. It’s not just about outward perfection but about finding harmony within complexity. There’s a duality here, a reminder that beauty isn’t one-dimensional, and it’s this very balance that makes it so captivating.
Byron’s use of alliteration in phrases like “cloudless climes and starry skies” brings a certain musicality to the poem, making it feel as smooth and effortless as the beauty he’s describing. The sounds themselves are as carefully chosen as the imagery, reminding us that every detail matters when crafting something truly beautiful.
The Deeper Layers of Beauty
What’s particularly striking about "She Walks in Beauty" is the way it suggests that true beauty isn’t just about appearance. Byron hints at something more profound—the idea that inner qualities, like grace and kindness, are just as important. The woman’s outward beauty is a reflection of her inner harmony. In a world that often emphasizes the superficial, especially during his time, Byron’s poem feels like a reminder to appreciate the deeper layers.
It sounds cheesy as I am writing this as I had the privilege to hear the same thing over and over again during every stage of my life, when I looked like a monkey and wandered around the playground looking for trouble and when I was pulling all-nighters in college with my dark circles extending to the bottom of my chin. It's in every mainstream media and in every popular advertisement to entice me to purchase. Beauty was within and I was beautiful. My parents and friends never told me otherwise. So that's gotta be the truth then. I am easily convinced.
However, for many women out there, that's not what their worlds are like. She might not believe those cheesy advertisements, she might be told by others that she is not. So many factors can make her doubt whether she is beautiful.
Beauty is based on perception and experience, not truth.
What we can do, is keep on reminding her of the TRUTH. That is she could be going from one job to another to make ends meet, she could be spending all her time taking care of her family, or she could be trying to bargain for the best price at the local market to try and make as many delicious meals for her kids as possible. It doesn't matter! She is beautiful. Maybe one day, the truth can be believed with doubts being cleared away "like the night of cloudless climes and starry skies."
Stanza’s Take: Inner Light, Outer Shine
At Stanza, we resonate with Byron’s vision of beauty—both visible and hidden. Just like the balance of dark and light in the poem, our pieces are designed to reflect the harmony between simplicity and detail, between vintage and modern, and between lines and curves. Whether it’s our statement earring - Fiery Fable Earrings that swings with personality or our simple ring - Simply Agate Ring that adds just the right touch of shine, we believe in capturing beauty that goes beyond what you see at first glance.
She carries beauty with her, as if it's part of the air around her. It's beauty that’s not only visible but felt. Because, just like in Byron's poem, true beauty is not just in the face—it’s in the way you move, the way you live, and the balance you bring to the world around you. Stanza pieces are there to accentuate your moves and your beauty.
Let your jewelry be the poetry that you wear. Walk in poetic, golden beauty.
Sincerely yours,