Tian Wen: A Chinese Book of Origins

by Qu Yuan, Stephen Johnson Field (Translator)

Describes the historical background of the poem and poses questions about Chinese mythology and the nature of the universe.

Genres: Poetry, China, Mythology

150 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 301

About the author

This is a Chinese name. The family name is Qu.

Qu Yuan (Chinese: 屈原; 343–278 BC) was a Chinese poet and minister who lived during the Warring States period of ancient China. He is known for his contributions to classical poetry and verses, especially through the poems of the Chu Ci anthology (also known as The Songs of the South or Songs of Chu): a volume of poems attributed to or considered to be inspired by his verse writing. Together with the Shi Jing, the Chu Ci is one of the two great collections of ancient Chinese verse. He is also remembered as the supposed origin of the Dragon Boat Festival.

Historical details about Qu Yuan's life are few, and his authorship of many Chu Ci poems have been questioned at length. However, he is widely accepted to have written Li Sao, the most well-known of the Chu Ci poems.

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