The Book of Songs (Shijing)

The Book of Songs, or Shijing, is an ancient Chinese collection of poetry that dates back to the 11th to 7th centuries BCE. It consists of 305 poems, reflecting various aspects of daily life, rituals, and social issues in early Chinese society. Divided into three sections—"Airs of the States," "Lesser Odes," and "Hymns"—the poems cover themes like love, labor, and nature. The Shijing is not only a key literary work but also an important historical source, influencing Chinese culture and philosophy, particularly Confucian thought, by emphasizing moral integrity and social harmony.