This paper analyzes a group of metaphoric and symbolic imges (the " boundless sea" 滄海, "Ch'iu-jan" 虯髯, "Wei-t'o" 尉佗, "Ts'ang-hai Chun" 倉海君, and "Cheng Yen-p'ing" 鄭延平) that occurs repeatedly (69, 27, 34, 5, and 5 times, respectively) in poems written by Ch'iu Feng'chia 丘逢甲 after he left Taiwan for mainland China. Through this analysis, we find that the image of the " boundless sea" is a metaphor for Taiwan that is indicative of Ch'iu's profoundly tragic mood. At the same time, the frequent appearance of these images symbolizes his ideal of establishing Taiwan as an independent island nation. Even though the fact he never actually attempted to carry out armed revolt meant that his ideals never progressed beyond utopian fatasy, the repeated imagery reveals his strong memories of and feeling of responsibility towards Taiwan and his protest against the lack of concern for Taiwan's fate shown by the Ch'ing court.