The Book of Songs

The earliest collection of poetry in China.

The Book of Songs (詩經) is the earliest collection of poetry in China, including 305 poems from the early years of the Western Zhou Dynasty to the middle of the Spring and Autumn Period, about the 11th century BC to the 6th century BC.

Originally called "Poems", also known as "Three Hundred Poems". Since the Han Dynasty, Confucianism has regarded it as a classic, so called it "The Book of Songs", and the official use of the "Book of Songs" should start in the early years of the Southern Song Dynasty. Due to the division of the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period, there are many versions of the Book of Songs. After Qin Shihuang (秦始皇) burned the book, it was difficult to find the Book of Songs. Nowadays, the most famous and popular version is called "Mao Poetry".