An Introduction to Chinese Classics
Chinese classic texts, or canonical texts, refer to the Chinese texts which originated before the imperial unification by the Qin Dynasty in 221 BC. In particular, the Four Books and Five Classics of the Neo-Confucian tradition are collectively known as the classics. These texts are considered to be one of the most important and valuable heritage of Chinese Culture.
The Term Chinese Classic texts, may be broadly used in reference to texts which were written in vernacular Chinese. It may also be narrowly used in references to texts which were written in the classical Chinese which was current until the fall of the last imperial dynasty (Qing, 1912). these texts include:
- 经（jīng）: Confucian classics and literacy lecture
- 史 （shǐ）: Historical and geographic works
- 子 （zǐ）: Philosophical works belonging to the Hundred Schools of Thoughts, also including works on agriculture, medicine, mathematics, astronomy, divination, art criticism and other miscellaneous writings
- 集 （jí）: Literary works, including the collection of poetry, Chu Ci (literary articles), Poetry review and music, etc.
Important terms:
- Vernacular Chinese: Also known as Baihua; the forms of written Chinese based on the varieties of Chinese spoken throughout China. A written vernacular based on Mandarin Chinese was used in novels in the Ming and Qing dynasties, and later refined by intellectuals associated with the May Forth Movement
- May Fourth Movement: The May Fourth Movement was a Chinese anti-imperialist, cultural and political movement which grew out of students protests in Beijing on May 4th, 1919