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诗经 The Book of Songs - Poetry from 3,000 years ago that still speaks to us today
January 13, 2013, Sunday
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Widely regarded as the beginning of Chinese literature, "Shi Jing," or the "Book of Songs," is the earliest collection of Chinese poetry. It includes more than 300 poems, songs, odes and hymns, some written 3,000 years ago.
Most of the book, however, was written and collected over a period of more than 500 years, from the Western Zhou Dynasty (1046-771 BC) to the middle of the Spring and Autumn Period (770-476 BC).
Some scholars believe that during the Western Zhou, every year the ruler would send out envoys known as "poetry collectors" to gather folk songs, hymns and ballads from around the country during the slack farming season. These would then be presented to the ruler as a way for him to gauge public feelings and sentiments.
According to historical records, the original book contained more than 3,000 ancient poems, songs and odes. Later, great Chinese thinker Confucius (551-479 BC) bowdlerized this text, keeping only 311 poems he considered canonical to Confucianism. As several of these poems are no more than a title - and also for convenience - the collection became known as "300 Poems."
It was not until during the Western Han Dynasty (206 BC-AD 24) that the book was officially named the "Book of Songs" and listed as one of the "Five Classics." The other texts in this canon are: "Shu Jing" ("Classic of History"); "Li Ji" ("Classic of Rites"); "I Ching" ("Book of Changes"); and "Chun Qiu" ("Spring and Autumn Annals"). All are said to have been compiled and edited by Confucius.
"Book of Songs" is divided into three parts according to the different music: Feng (folk songs); Ya (Odes); and Song (hymns).
Feng includes 160 folk songs of the states - such as the Odes of Zhou and South, Odes of Wei and Odes of Tang.
The Ya part is further divided into Xiao Ya (Minor Odes) and Da Ya (Major Odes). The former includes 74 minor songs for court events, while Da Ya contains 31 major songs, mostly written by nobles, for major and solemn court ceremonies.
The Song part contains 40 hymns and eulogies performed during singing and dancing ceremonies at temples or altars.
There are also six Sheng Shi - poems with titles but no text - creating a total of 311 titles in the "Book of Songs."
These works are written in three different styles: Fu (straightforward narrative), Bi (explicit metaphorical) and Xing (subtle and illusive).
Since works were collected from different parts of the country, its contents vividly reflect the daily life, feelings, customs and aspirations of people across the classes.
Subject matter covers everything from beautiful descriptions of the romances of young lovers at a time when people were quite open about relationships to criticisms of the decadence of the ruling class and the indifference of the rich toward the poor.
Thanks to the exceptionally well-written four-character lines in most of the poems, many are still popular among Chinese speakers today, quoted both in literature and daily conversation. Here are three examples:
1. "A pair of chattering ospreys,
Dwelling on a sandbar in the
middle of the river;
A fair lady,
A fine match for a gentleman."
2. "Seeing the blue collar of your
robe,
Always makes my heart leap.
…
Being apart for one day,
nonetheless,
Seems as long as three months."
3. Stone from the other hill,
May serve to polish jadeware
here.
(The third example implies that the advice of other people can help you amend your behavior.)
Most of the book, however, was written and collected over a period of more than 500 years, from the Western Zhou Dynasty (1046-771 BC) to the middle of the Spring and Autumn Period (770-476 BC).
Some scholars believe that during the Western Zhou, every year the ruler would send out envoys known as "poetry collectors" to gather folk songs, hymns and ballads from around the country during the slack farming season. These would then be presented to the ruler as a way for him to gauge public feelings and sentiments.
According to historical records, the original book contained more than 3,000 ancient poems, songs and odes. Later, great Chinese thinker Confucius (551-479 BC) bowdlerized this text, keeping only 311 poems he considered canonical to Confucianism. As several of these poems are no more than a title - and also for convenience - the collection became known as "300 Poems."
It was not until during the Western Han Dynasty (206 BC-AD 24) that the book was officially named the "Book of Songs" and listed as one of the "Five Classics." The other texts in this canon are: "Shu Jing" ("Classic of History"); "Li Ji" ("Classic of Rites"); "I Ching" ("Book of Changes"); and "Chun Qiu" ("Spring and Autumn Annals"). All are said to have been compiled and edited by Confucius.
"Book of Songs" is divided into three parts according to the different music: Feng (folk songs); Ya (Odes); and Song (hymns).
Feng includes 160 folk songs of the states - such as the Odes of Zhou and South, Odes of Wei and Odes of Tang.
The Ya part is further divided into Xiao Ya (Minor Odes) and Da Ya (Major Odes). The former includes 74 minor songs for court events, while Da Ya contains 31 major songs, mostly written by nobles, for major and solemn court ceremonies.
The Song part contains 40 hymns and eulogies performed during singing and dancing ceremonies at temples or altars.
There are also six Sheng Shi - poems with titles but no text - creating a total of 311 titles in the "Book of Songs."
These works are written in three different styles: Fu (straightforward narrative), Bi (explicit metaphorical) and Xing (subtle and illusive).
Since works were collected from different parts of the country, its contents vividly reflect the daily life, feelings, customs and aspirations of people across the classes.
Subject matter covers everything from beautiful descriptions of the romances of young lovers at a time when people were quite open about relationships to criticisms of the decadence of the ruling class and the indifference of the rich toward the poor.
Thanks to the exceptionally well-written four-character lines in most of the poems, many are still popular among Chinese speakers today, quoted both in literature and daily conversation. Here are three examples:
1. "A pair of chattering ospreys,
Dwelling on a sandbar in the
middle of the river;
A fair lady,
A fine match for a gentleman."
2. "Seeing the blue collar of your
robe,
Always makes my heart leap.
…
Being apart for one day,
nonetheless,
Seems as long as three months."
3. Stone from the other hill,
May serve to polish jadeware
here.
(The third example implies that the advice of other people can help you amend your behavior.)
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