Introduction
Emerging during the Warring States period (475–221 BCE), the Elegies of Chu (Chuci), including such celebrated works as “Li Sao” (Encountering Sorrow), “Nine Songs,” and “Questions to Heaven,” forged a literary style distinct from the northern tradition of the Classic of Poetry (Shijing). Together, they form the twin fountainheads of early Chinese literature. Among these, “Li Sao” stands as the soul of the anthology and often serves to represent the collection as a whole, offering a timeless model for maintaining integrity in the face of adversity. Although the historical details of Qu Yuan’s life remain a subject of scholarly debate, the cultural image shaped around him has proven both multifaceted and profound. The Elegies of Chu mark the first instance in Chinese literary history where the author’s identity is inextricably linked to the work. By transforming personal and political frustration into striking imagery while establishing the "fragrant herbs and noble beauties" metaphor, the text defined an intellectual tradition of conveying one's inner ideals through external objects—an approach that remains deeply embedded in the cultural fabric.
The life of Qu Yuan and the Elegies of Chu resonate with one another, endowing the work with both literary stature and philosophical weight. The fifth-century Shishuo Xinyu records: “To drink deeply and know the ‘Li Sao’ by heart, and one may be called a man of distinction,” attesting to the poem’s role as a spiritual refuge in times of frustration. The emotional intensity born of personal sorrow gradually pervaded diverse realms of art and culture. Over time, the tragic end of Qu Yuan’s life became closely associated with seasonal customs, weaving imagery once marked by solitude and lament into the vibrant rhythms of the folk calendar.
This exhibition is organized into three sections. The first traces the historical and cultural context of the Elegies of Chu; the second explores its influence on the arts; and the third considers the enduring echoes of Qu Yuan within seasonal festivities. Collectively, these perspectives invite visitors to witness a cultural current that has flowed for more than two millennia.