Civilizational Canons · LC10

Architecture

Physical mortise-and-tenon joints, eaves soaring atop precipices: observing how ancestors constructed architectural and spatial engineering marvels across cliffs and wilderness.

Architecture brings together classical writing that evokes building, palaces, pavilions, and designed space. Du Mu's Rhapsody on Epang Palace, Wang Bo's preface to the Prince of Teng's Pavilion, Ouyang Xiu's Old Drunkard Pavilion, and Yuan Hongdao's evening tour among the Six Bridges reveal how built spaces shape ritual, civic life, and landscape aesthetics.

Representative works

Tang · Wang Bo · Parallel ProsePreface to the Prince of Teng's PavilionSunset clouds and solitary wild duck fly together; autumn waters and the boundless sky share a single hue.LR10006Tang · Du Mu · Prose RhapsodiesRhapsody on the Epang PalaceThose who destroyed the Six States were the Six States themselves, not Qin; that which exterminated Qin was Qin itself, not the people of the world. Qin had no leisure to mourn for itself, but posterity mourns it; if posterity mourns it yet fails to take it as a warning, they will only cause later posterity to mourn them in turn!LR10075Song · Ouyang Xiu · Travel WritingRecord of the Old Drunkard PavilionThe Old Drunkard's delight lies not in wine, but in the mountains and waters. The joy of mountain and stream is found in the heart and entrusted to wine. People know the joy of following their governor on excursions, yet know not that the governor finds his highest joy in their joy!LR10097Ming · Yuan Hongdao · Travel WritingRecord of an Evening Tour on Six Bridges Awaiting the MoonWest Lake is at its most splendid in spring and under the moon; in a single day, at morning mist and evening mountain haze. This year spring snow was heavy and plum blossoms were held back by cold, blooming together with apricot and peach in an extraordinary spectacle.LR10259

Read by dynasty

Zhou

1046–256 BCE1 works
  1. Classic of Poetry · Greater Odes · Spreading VinesAnonymous · Four-Character VerseSpreading endlessly are melon vines. When our people first arose along the Ju and Qi rivers, Lord Gugong Danfu lived in earthen kiln-caves before houses existed. In the morning Gugong Danfu galloped his steeds, leading his clan along the western riverbanks to settle beneath Mount Qi.

Han

202 BCE – 220 CE4 works
  1. Rhapsody on the Imperial Shanglin ParkSima Xiangru · Grand Han RhapsodiesVast and majestic the Eight Rivers diverge in multifaceted beauty. Its five palaces and outlying lodges span mountains and valleys, with lofty colonnades and tiered pavilions.
  2. Two Capitals · Western Capital Rhapsody · ExcerptBan Gu · Grand Han RhapsodiesThe Western Capital of Han lay in Yongzhou, truly named Chang'an. To its left rose the formidable hazards of Xiaohan and Taolin Pass; to its right the steep escarpments of Long and Shu. The Great River flowed along its south, the Yellow River circled its north. This is truly the thousand-li impregnable fortress, the Celestial Empire's Land of Abundance.
  3. Two Capitals · Eastern Capital Rhapsody · ExcerptBan Gu · Grand Han RhapsodiesThe Eastern Capital of Luoyi sits at the harmony of Heaven and Earth, the intersection of Yin and Yang. Built by the Duke of Zhou, revived by Emperor Guangwu. Cultivating rituals and music to govern the realm, exalting moral transformation to bring peace to the people.
  4. Two Metropolises · Eastern Metropolis Rhapsody · ExcerptZhang Heng · Grand Han RhapsodiesSeeing that Sima Xiangru and Yang Xiong had not fully exhausted the glory of the Eastern Capital, Zhang Heng composed the Rhapsodies on the Two Metropolises. Great is the virtue of the Han, rituals and music shine bright, all nations live in tranquility and all life thrives in peace.

Northern and Southern

420–5892 works
  1. Rhapsody on a Small Garden · ExcerptYu Xin · Short RhapsodiesContent with a single branch, why need the bird a vast forest? Drinking a single scoop, what need has the puddling water for immense depth? Fishes of one or two inches, bamboos of three or two stalks. Clouds fly toward Chu and Shu, winds sweep over the Yellow River and Tong Pass. Fallen leaves cover half the bed, wild blossoms fill the room.
  2. A Tower Built in the AirSanghasena · Satirical ParablesSeeking the top floor without building the foundation achieves nothing.

Tang

618–9073 works
  1. Preface to the Prince of Teng's PavilionWang Bo · Parallel ProseSunset clouds and solitary wild duck fly together; autumn waters and the boundless sky share a single hue.
  2. Rhapsody on the Epang PalaceDu Mu · Prose RhapsodiesThose who destroyed the Six States were the Six States themselves, not Qin; that which exterminated Qin was Qin itself, not the people of the world. Qin had no leisure to mourn for itself, but posterity mourns it; if posterity mourns it yet fails to take it as a warning, they will only cause later posterity to mourn them in turn!
  3. Rhapsody on the Bright Hall · ExcerptLi Bai · Prose RhapsodiesMagnificent is the Bright Hall, crowning antiquity beyond compare! Its colossal design overwhelms Kunlun, soaring high into layered skies, rooted deep into massive earth. Nine tiers thrown open, ten thousand nations arrive in tribute.

Song

960–12794 works
  1. Memorial on Yueyang TowerFan Zhongyan · Travel WritingBe the first to bear hardships for the world, and the last to partake in its joy.
  2. Record of the Old Drunkard PavilionOuyang Xiu · Travel WritingThe Old Drunkard's delight lies not in wine, but in the mountains and waters. The joy of mountain and stream is found in the heart and entrusted to wine. People know the joy of following their governor on excursions, yet know not that the governor finds his highest joy in their joy!
  3. Record of the Pavilion of Supreme Delight in HuangzhouSu Zhe · Travel WritingWhen a scholar lives in this world, if he lacks inner peace, wherever he goes will bring distress; but if his heart is tranquil and free from external harm, wherever he turns will bring supreme joy.
  4. Canglang PavilionOuyang Xiu · Old-Style SongsThe pure breeze and bright moon were originally priceless, what a wonder they were purchased for a mere forty thousand coins! Zimei's pavilion is truly the most romantic, where clear springs and tall bamboo wind around together.

Ming

1368–16442 works
  1. Record of the Xiangji StudioGui Youguang · Informal EssaysIn the courtyard stands a loquat tree, planted by my late wife's hand in the year of her death; today it has grown tall and graceful, spreading like a lush canopy.
  2. Record of an Evening Tour on Six Bridges Awaiting the MoonYuan Hongdao · Travel WritingWest Lake is at its most splendid in spring and under the moon; in a single day, at morning mist and evening mountain haze. This year spring snow was heavy and plum blossoms were held back by cold, blooming together with apricot and peach in an extraordinary spectacle.