屈原

About the Author

Qu Yuan (c. 340–278 BC), one of ancient China's most revered poets and patriots, was a nobleman and minister in the state of Chu during the Warring States period. Deeply devoted to his homeland, he advocated for reforms and alliances to counter the rising power of Qin, but his counsel was ignored, leading to his exile. In his sorrow and disillusionment, Qu Yuan composed profound verses that captured the beauty of Chu's landscapes, the pain of betrayal, and a yearning for moral integrity. His seminal work, 'Chuci,' a collection of lyrical poems blending shamanistic rituals with personal lamentations, profoundly influenced Chinese literature, establishing the 'Sao' style of poetry. Tragically, upon hearing of Chu's fall, he drowned himself in the Miluo River, an act immortalized in the Dragon Boat Festival. Qu Yuan's legacy endures as a symbol of unwavering loyalty and artistic excellence.