Writers › Writer / Poet
Zhuo Wenjun
Daughter of the Linqiong merchant Zhuo Wangsun who, the Records of the Grand Historian says, eloped with Sima Xiangru
Mural of the event “Wenjun at Wine Shop”, which this person took part in.
Set in Shu during the Western Han, the story of Zhuo Wenjun and Sima Xiangru moves from musical courtship and elopement to their shared livelihood in Linqiong, followed by the themes of love and self-respect preserved in later literary tradition.
Also known as Wenjun
- Roles
- Writer / Poet
Zhuo Wenjun was the daughter of Zhuo Wangsun, a rich merchant of Linqiong in Shu commandery, and the wife of Sima Xiangru. The Records of the Grand Historian says she was newly widowed and fond of music when Sima Xiangru courted her with his zither at a banquet in her father's house, and she ran away to him that night. The couple later kept a wine shop in Linqiong, where she served at the counter, until her father gave them servants and money. Tradition names his tune Phoenix Seeking a Mate. The Song of White Hair, the Number Poem and a farewell letter are ascribed to her, but the attributions are doubted.
Life and times
Dates c. 175 BCE - c. 121 BCE
- 150 BCEWenjun at Wine ShopTook part
- 150 BCEZhuo Wenjun Elopement with Sima Xiangru
- 142 BCETavern Keeping in Linqiong
- 130 BCESong of White Hair Severance Letter