Foundational Texts
Chinese classical literature encompasses a vast collection of texts that have shaped Chinese thought, culture, and society for thousands of years.
The Four Books and Five Classics
The core texts of Confucianism that formed the basis of traditional Chinese education.
- The Analects of Confucius
- The Book of Mencius
- The Great Learning
- The Doctrine of the Mean
- The Book of Songs
- The Book of Documents
- The Book of Rites
- The Book of Changes
- The Spring and Autumn Annals
Historical Records
Comprehensive historical works that documented China's past.
- Records of the Grand Historian
- Book of Han
- Book of Later Han
- Comprehensive Mirror for Aid in Government
- Twenty-Four Histories
Daoist Classics
Foundational texts of Daoist philosophy and practice.
- Dao De Jing
- Zhuangzi
- Liezi
- Huainanzi
- Baopuzi
Poetry and Prose
Classical Poetry
The rich tradition of Chinese poetry with its distinctive forms and themes.
- Shi (诗) Poetry
- Ci (词) Poetry
- Qu (曲) Poetry
- Tang Dynasty Poetry
- Song Dynasty Poetry
Prose Literature
Various forms of prose writing in classical Chinese literature.
- Historical Prose
- Philosophical Essays
- Travel Writing
- Biographical Sketches
- Literary Criticism
Fiction
Classical Chinese novels and short stories.
- Journey to the West
- Romance of the Three Kingdoms
- Water Margin
- Dream of the Red Chamber
- Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio
Literary Forms and Genres
Poetic Forms
Distinctive structures and patterns in Chinese poetry.
- Five-Character Quatrain
- Seven-Character Octave
- Fu (赋) Rhapsody
- Parallel Prose
- Regulated Verse
Literary Devices
Techniques and elements used in classical Chinese writing.
- Allusion
- Metaphor
- Symbolism
- Parallelism
- Imagery
Writing Styles
Different approaches to writing in classical Chinese literature.
- Classical Chinese (文言文)
- Literary Chinese
- Vernacular Chinese
- Mixed Styles
- Regional Variations
Cultural Significance
Educational Value
The role of classical literature in traditional Chinese education.
- Moral Instruction
- Cultural Literacy
- Language Mastery
- Intellectual Development
- Civil Service Examination
Social Impact
How classical literature shaped Chinese society and values.
- Social Norms
- Ethical Values
- Political Thought
- Cultural Identity
- Social Commentary
Artistic Expression
The aesthetic qualities and artistic achievements of classical literature.
- Calligraphy
- Visual Arts
- Performing Arts
- Garden Design
- Architectural Elements
Preservation and Transmission
Textual Preservation
Methods and institutions for preserving classical texts.
- Imperial Libraries
- Private Collections
- Monastic Archives
- Printing Technology
- Digital Preservation
Commentary Tradition
The practice of interpreting and explaining classical texts.
- Scholarly Commentaries
- Textual Criticism
- Interpretive Schools
- Pedagogical Approaches
- Modern Interpretations
Contemporary Relevance
How classical literature continues to influence modern Chinese culture.
- Modern Adaptations
- Cultural References
- Educational Curriculum
- Popular Culture
- Global Influence
Notable Authors and Works
Early Masters
Influential writers from China's early literary history.
- Confucius (孔子)
- Laozi (老子)
- Zhuangzi (庄子)
- Mencius (孟子)
- Xunzi (荀子)
Tang and Song Dynasty
Renowned poets and writers from China's golden age of literature.
- Li Bai (李白)
- Du Fu (杜甫)
- Wang Wei (王维)
- Su Shi (苏轼)
- Li Qingzhao (李清照)
Ming and Qing Dynasty
Authors who contributed to China's novelistic tradition.
- Cao Xueqin (曹雪芹)
- Wu Cheng'en (吴承恩)
- Luo Guanzhong (罗贯中)
- Shi Nai'an (施耐庵)
- Pu Songling (蒲松龄)