Chinese Poetry - Song Ci & Yuan Qu

 The Classic of Odes, Chu Ci, Han Yuefu
 Tang Poetry & Poets
 Song Ci & Yuan Qu
 

Ci in the Song Dynasty (960 - 1279) indicates another type of poetry at that time. It came into being in the Tang Dynasty and reached its summit in the Song literature. This type of poem is akin to lyrics created for musical accompaniment as the meter varies in the way that the words had to match the rhythm of the music. This was the emanation of Ci in the Song Dynasty (Song Ci).

Ci, depending upon its length, can be divided into Xiao Ling (small-sized, less than 58 characters), Zhong Diao (middle-sized, 59 - 90 characters), and Chang Diao (long-sized, more than 91 characters). Some of them have only one verse, some have two, and some have three or four, each of which has its own appellation.

Each Ci has a title as well as a Cipai which is the name of the tonal pattern and decides the rhythm and form of a verse. The names of Cipai, such as 'The Beautiful Lady Yu', 'Buddha Dance', and 'Wine Spring', are derived from historical figures or events, discourse, and former musical names, although later Ci evolved separately from music.

Poets in the Song Dynasty developed Ci that was deeper in content and broader in form. Those who made a great contribution were Liu Yong, Su Shi, Yan Shu, Li Qingzhao, Xin Qiji, etc. If you seek out their fine Ci and study it further, you may find it a source of infinite interest.

Generally speaking, Ci has two main genres - Wanyue (graceful and mild) and Haofang (bold and unconstrained). Ci of Wanyue genre endows delicate things with exquisite feeling and elegance. The most famous verses are 'How helpless I see the flowers falling, the swallows seem to know winter is coming again' by Yan Shu. Ci of Haofang genre began to be popular since the creation by Su Shi who changed Ci into a lyrical art. He took pastoral scenes, splendid landscapes and a dedication to his motherland into his works, which was greatly accepted.
 

Qu in the Yuan Dynasty (1271 - 1368) has two forms. One is San Qu, and the other is drama called Yuan Za Ju. San Qu is similar to the Xiao Ling of Song Ci. It can be sung along with a melody and the types of the performance can be various. Compared with Ci, San Qu approaches more of a colloquial style and more is lively. In the succeeding dynasties, poetry followed thick and fast, and poets once again entered into the 'bel-esprits' and furthered their art unremittingly.
  The Classic of Odes, Chu Ci, Han Yuefu
 Tang Poetry & Poets
 Song Ci & Yuan Qu