CHUCI

Ancient China was one of the world’s oldest continuous civilizations, spanning thousands of years. Great discoveries and innovations are attributed to it, from gunpowder, paper, compass. In the field of poetry, they also left a mark. From Shijing, we will shift our gaze toward another anthology, Chici.

WHAT IS CHUCI?

The Chu Ci, variously translated as Verses of Chu, Songs of Chu, Poetry of the South, or Elegies of Chu, is an ancient anthology of Chinese poetry from the Warring States period. It is also a sort of poem that found its origin in the works of Qu Yuan, a high minister in the state of Chu. (2, 3)

WHERE IT GOT ITS NAME

The Chu Ci was named after a form of poetry that originated in the State of Chu, which was located in what is now central China. Back then, it was in the southern fringe of the Chinese cultural area. The culture in the State of Chu was a blend of the culture from the north and the south, the latter bringing forth many shamanistic themes and poems of spiritual journeys. (2)

AUTHORSHIP

Chuci was authored by many great names, yet Qu Yuan is considered its central figure. He is the author of the opening Li Sao section and is considered the persona of the protagonist. (2)