Chinese literature
Also known as literature of China, Sinophone literature, Zhong Guo Wen Xue, Zhongguo Wenxue
literary works in Chinese language
AI overview
Chinese literature refers to written works created in the Chinese language, spanning thousands of years and including poetry, novels, essays, and other forms of writing. It matters because it represents one of the world's oldest and most influential literary traditions, shaping both Chinese culture and thought across East Asia and beyond.
AI-generated from the Wikipedia summary — may contain errors.
Article
The history of Chinese literature extends thousands of years, and begins with the earliest recorded inscriptions, court archives, building to the major works of philosophy and history written during the Axial Age. The Han (202 BC – 220 AD) and Tang (618–907 AD) dynasties were considered golden ages of poetry, while the Song (960–1279) and Yuan (1271–1368) were notable for their lyrics (ci), essays, dramas, and plays. During the Ming and Qing, mature novels were written in written vernacular Chinese, an evolution from the preeminence of Literary Chinese patterned off the language of the Chinese classics. The introduction of widespread woodblock printing during the Tang and the invention of movable type printing by Bi Sheng (990–1051) during the Song rapidly spread written knowledge throughout China. Around the turn of the 20th century, the author Lu Xun (1881–1936) is considered an influential voice of vernacular Chinese literature.
Pre-classical period