Writers › Writer / Poet

Fu Xuan

Western Jin writer and thinker best known for his yuefu ballads and the Fuzi, who rose to Colonel Director of Retainers.

Also known as Xiuyi · Fu Chungu

Fu Xuan, courtesy name Xiuyi, came from Niyang in Beidi and lived from 217 to 278. Orphaned and poor in youth, he became a learned writer, served Cao Wei as Count of Chungu, and under the Jin was raised to Viscount and held the posts of Palace Censor, Minister of the Imperial Stud and Colonel Director of Retainers. He often memorialized the throne and urged reform of the military-farm shares. His yuefu ballads, such as Qin Nuxiu xing, Qiu Hu xing and Jiuqu ge, are his best-known verse; his Fuzi survives only in reconstructed form, and Zhang Pu of the Ming compiled the Fu Chungu ji.

Life and times

  1. 217 CEBornHanThree KingdomsJin
  2. 278 CEDied

Works

  1. Literature · Poetry8
    1. Song of the Green Grass by the RiverJinFu Xuan's song of a wife who dreams of flying wing to wing with her husband and wakes alone
    2. The Bitter Lot of WomenJinFu Xuan's song on the hard lot of women, unwanted at birth and cast aside as they age
    3. There Is a GirlJinFu Xuan's song of a beautiful, virtuous woman and her splendid wedding procession
    4. The Morning SunJinFu Xuan's song of a wife married at fifteen, parted for life yet longing to share his grave
    5. Song of the Bright MoonlightJinFu Xuan's song of a woman who fears her beauty will fade and new love will replace her
    6. +3 more
      1. Song of the Autumn OrchidsJinFu Xuan's song of paired ducks, fish and birds at an orchid pool, and a nine-autumn promise
      2. Ballad of Chang'an in the WestJinA woman hears her lover in Chang'an has changed his heart, yet cannot part with his gifts
      3. Matching a Poem by Lady BanJinFu Xuan retells the tale of Qiu Hu, who unknowingly courts his own wife on his return home

Family tree

  1. Direct kin
    Fu Xuan
    Son
    Fu Xian