The relationship between the guqin and the literati

The guqin is a representative of ancient literati music. The cultural connotation of the guqin is also reflected in the fact that although it is a musical instrument, its basic structure reflects the common sense of classical Chinese philosophy and the basic Chinese view of nature and heaven and earth. The cultural value of the guqin can be said to be the greatest.

The guqin, as one of the oldest plucked musical instruments in China, has always been regarded as the musical instrument of the highest cultural status in ancient China, and it can be said that the guqin is the true representative of the music of ancient literati. The guqin has a special status in Chinese traditional culture, and it is a representative of Chinese traditional culture. In 2003, it was listed in the second batch of "Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity" by UNESCO, and has become a precious cultural heritage for all mankind to enjoy and protect together.

Traditional Chinese music can be broadly divided into several categories

The first category is folk music, which refers to everything from folk songs to folk instrumental music;

The second category is court music, which is music that was played in the ancient court. It was created during the Zhou Dynasty and had a prosperous period, but gradually declined and was basically lost in the Qing Dynasty. Many of the musical instruments in court music are actually ceremonial instruments, such as the golden chimes displayed in the Palace Museum of Treasures;

The third category is religious music, including Buddhist music, Taoist music, etc.; the fourth category is the music of the literati. Literati music is completely different from the first three, and its representative instrument is the guqin.