Book of Songs

Author: Zhong Lei
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-05-01
Features: "Poetry" originally referred to music songs, so according to musical tunes, the Book of Songs can be divided into three parts: Feng, Ya, and Song. Feng refers to the sounds of local customs, meaning folk songs from various regions, including fifteen states such as Zhou Nan, Zhao Nan, Bei, Xiong, Wei, Wang, Zheng, Qi, Wei, Tang, Qin, Chen, Huai, Cao, and Bin. There are a total of 160 poems, most of which are folk music songs that express the joys, sorrows, anger, and happiness of the people. Ya means "proper," referring to the imperial court music, which is the musical tunes of the Western Zhou royal domain. Ya is further divided into Da Ya and Xiao Ya. Da Ya has 31 poems, most of which were written during the Western Zhou period, with a small portion composed in the late Western Zhou period. The authors are mainly upper-class nobles, often praising the achievements of the founding ancestors and former kings, as well as banquets and other activities. Xiao Ya has 74 poems, mostly written in the late Western Zhou period, with authors including both upper-class and lower-class nobles as well as those of humble status. Most of them contain complaints and criticisms. Song refers to the sacrificial hymns sung during temple rituals, divided into Zhou, Lu, and Shang songs, totaling 40 poems. As China's earliest collection of poetry, the Book of Songs pioneered eternal themes such as love, war, and banquets.