Seven Sages of the Bamboo Grove
Encyclopedia
The Seven Sages of the Bamboo Grove were a group of Chinese
Taoist Qingtan
scholars, writers, and musicians who came together in the 3rd century CE. Although the individual members all existed, their interconnection is not entirely certain. Key members of the seven were linked with the "Taoist" Cao Wei
; they found their lives to be in danger when the avowedly "Confucian" Jin Dynasty
came to power. They wrote Taoist poems, poems criticizing the court and the administration, and manuals on Taoist mysticism and fangshi
. It would be a mistake to assume that all members had similar views, however, and while some members tried to negotiate their difficult political positions by self-consciously adopting the roles of ale-fuelled pranksters and eccentrics, others eventually capitulated and joined the Jin dynasty (most notably Wang Rong). Although it is unknown how much they personally engaged in Qingtan, they became the subjects of it themselves in the Shishuo Xinyu (Chinese: 世說新語 "A New Account of the Tales of the World
").
As is traditionally depicted, the group wished to escape the intrigues, corruption and stifling atmosphere of court life during the politically fraught Three Kingdoms period of Chinese history. They gathered in a bamboo
grove near the house of Xi Kang
(aka Ji Kang) in Shanyang
(now in Henan
province) where they enjoyed, and praised in their works, the simple, rustic life. This was contrasted with the politics of court. The Seven Sages stressed the enjoyment of ale, personal freedom, spontaneity and a celebration of nature.
Liu Ling
, Ruan Ji
, Ruan Xian
, Xiang Xiu
, Wang Rong and Shan Tao
were the other six sages who made up the group, besides Xi Kang, who was especially close to Ruan Ji; their relationship was described as "stronger than metal
and fragrant as orchids". The wife of Shan Tao was said to be impressed by Ruan Ji and Xi Kang's prowess when she spied on them during sex
.
It would be Xi Kang's refusal to work for the new regime which would eventually lead to his execution. The group's rural life became a common theme for art
, and they inspired other artists who wished to retreat during times of political upheavals. The myth spread rapidly, and within a few generations the pa ta were so inspired by the supposedly anarchist revelry of the Seven Sages that they sought to copy them fully, while naked.
Another person associated with the Seven Sages is Rong Qiqi
(榮啟期), who in fact lived quite earlier. This association is depicted in some apocryphal art from the fourth century CE, in a tomb near Nanjing.
The Seven Sages, or the symbol that they became, have been remarked to be influential in Chinese poetry, music, art, and overall culture.
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
Taoist Qingtan
Qingtan
Qingtan , translated as "pure conversation," was a movement related to Taoism that developed during the Wei-Jin period and continued on through the Southern and Northern dynasties. Qingtan involved witty conversation or debates about metaphysics and philosophy...
scholars, writers, and musicians who came together in the 3rd century CE. Although the individual members all existed, their interconnection is not entirely certain. Key members of the seven were linked with the "Taoist" Cao Wei
Cao Wei
Cao Wei was one of the states that competed for control of China during the Three Kingdoms period. With the capital at Luoyang, the state was established by Cao Pi in 220, based upon the foundations that his father Cao Cao laid...
; they found their lives to be in danger when the avowedly "Confucian" Jin Dynasty
Jìn Dynasty (265-420)
The Jìn Dynasty , was a dynasty in Chinese history, lasting between the years 265 and 420 AD. There are two main divisions in the history of the Dynasty, the first being Western Jin and the second Eastern Jin...
came to power. They wrote Taoist poems, poems criticizing the court and the administration, and manuals on Taoist mysticism and fangshi
Fangshi
Fangshi was a category of Chinese technical specialists that flourished from the third century BCE to the fifth century CE. English translations of fangshi encompass alchemist, astrologer, diviner, exorcist, geomancer, doctor, magician, mountebank, monk, mystic, necromancer, occultist,...
. It would be a mistake to assume that all members had similar views, however, and while some members tried to negotiate their difficult political positions by self-consciously adopting the roles of ale-fuelled pranksters and eccentrics, others eventually capitulated and joined the Jin dynasty (most notably Wang Rong). Although it is unknown how much they personally engaged in Qingtan, they became the subjects of it themselves in the Shishuo Xinyu (Chinese: 世說新語 "A New Account of the Tales of the World
A New Account of the Tales of the World
A New Account of the Tales of the World is a book of anecdotes and character sketches, dates back to the Southern and Northern Dynasties...
").
As is traditionally depicted, the group wished to escape the intrigues, corruption and stifling atmosphere of court life during the politically fraught Three Kingdoms period of Chinese history. They gathered in a bamboo
Bamboo
Bamboo is a group of perennial evergreens in the true grass family Poaceae, subfamily Bambusoideae, tribe Bambuseae. Giant bamboos are the largest members of the grass family....
grove near the house of Xi Kang
Xi Kang
Ji Kang was a Chinese author, poet, Taoist philosopher, musician and alchemist. He was one of the Seven Sages of the Bamboo Grove.-Biography:As a thinker, Ji Kang Ji Kang(223–262) was a Chinese author, poet, Taoist philosopher, musician and alchemist. He was one of the Seven Sages of the Bamboo...
(aka Ji Kang) in Shanyang
Shanyang
Shanyang may refer to:*Shanyang County, county in Shaanxi, China*Shanyang District, district in Jiaozuo, Henan, China*Shanyang Formation, geological formation in Shaanxi, China...
(now in Henan
Henan
Henan , is a province of the People's Republic of China, located in the central part of the country. Its one-character abbreviation is "豫" , named after Yuzhou , a Han Dynasty state that included parts of Henan...
province) where they enjoyed, and praised in their works, the simple, rustic life. This was contrasted with the politics of court. The Seven Sages stressed the enjoyment of ale, personal freedom, spontaneity and a celebration of nature.
Liu Ling
Liu Ling , born 221 and died 300, was a Chinese poet and scholar. Little information survives about his family background, though he is described in historical sources as short and unattractive, with a dissipated appearance....
, Ruan Ji
Ruan Ji
Ruǎn Jí is one of the Seven Sages of the Bamboo Grove. He is associated with the guqin melody, Jiu Kuang which was believed to be composed by him.- Historical background :...
, Ruan Xian
Ruan Xian
Ruan Xian , a Chinese scholar who lived during the Six Dynasties period, is one of the Seven Sages of the Bamboo Grove. He was a skilled player of the Chinese lute, an old version of pipa which has been called ruan after his name since the Tang Dynasty. His achievement in music reached such high as...
, Xiang Xiu
Xiang Xiu
Xiang Xiu is one of the Seven Sages of the Bamboo Grove.His most famous contribution is a commentary on the Zhuangzi, which was later used and amended by Guo Xiang. After his friend Xi Kang was killed by the ruling Jin dynasty, Xiang carefully interpreted his previous antagonistic words to the...
, Wang Rong and Shan Tao
Shan Tao (Taoist)
Shan Tao is one of the Seven Sages of the Bamboo Grove....
were the other six sages who made up the group, besides Xi Kang, who was especially close to Ruan Ji; their relationship was described as "stronger than metal
Metal
A metal , is an element, compound, or alloy that is a good conductor of both electricity and heat. Metals are usually malleable and shiny, that is they reflect most of incident light...
and fragrant as orchids". The wife of Shan Tao was said to be impressed by Ruan Ji and Xi Kang's prowess when she spied on them during sex
Sex
In biology, sex is a process of combining and mixing genetic traits, often resulting in the specialization of organisms into a male or female variety . Sexual reproduction involves combining specialized cells to form offspring that inherit traits from both parents...
.
It would be Xi Kang's refusal to work for the new regime which would eventually lead to his execution. The group's rural life became a common theme for art
Art
Art is the product or process of deliberately arranging items in a way that influences and affects one or more of the senses, emotions, and intellect....
, and they inspired other artists who wished to retreat during times of political upheavals. The myth spread rapidly, and within a few generations the pa ta were so inspired by the supposedly anarchist revelry of the Seven Sages that they sought to copy them fully, while naked.
Another person associated with the Seven Sages is Rong Qiqi
Rong Qiqi
Róng Qǐqī is a mythological Chinese folk hero. He is depicted as a recluse, who shuns material possessions in favour of an ascetic life. Rong was known in Ancient China for a fable involving an alleged encounter with the philosopher Confucius...
(榮啟期), who in fact lived quite earlier. This association is depicted in some apocryphal art from the fourth century CE, in a tomb near Nanjing.
The Seven Sages, or the symbol that they became, have been remarked to be influential in Chinese poetry, music, art, and overall culture.