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Qu Yuan

Type Figure Region East Asia Time c. -340–-278 Also known as Qu Ping、Lingjun、Sanlu Dafu

Qu Yuan (c. 340–278 BCE), late Warring States Chu poet and statesman, author of Li Sao, Tian Wen, and Jiu Ge;…

Timeline

  1. c. -340–-330Zigui, Chu state · Zigui CountyBorn into a family of Chu's Sanlu Dafu, of the same Qu clan as King Huai of Chu, he received ritual and music education from childhood, was widely read and retentive, and familiar with Chu's political and diplomatic situation.
  2. c. -330–-299Ying capital, Chu state · Jingzhou CityTrusted by King Huai of Chu, he served as Left Aide handling internal and foreign affairs, advocating alliance with Qi against Qin, clarifying laws, and promoting the worthy; he competed for favor with Jin Shang of Shangguan and was ultimately alienated by slander.
  3. c. -299–-278Northern Han and Jiangnan · Hubei ProvinceAfter being banished he wandered through northern Han and the Yuan and Xiang regions, grieving for his state and times, creating the celebrated Chu ci pieces Li Sao, Jiu Zhang, Tian Wen, and Jiu Ge, using fragrant plants and beauties to embody political ideals, and founding the source of Chinese romantic poetry.
  4. c. -278Miluo River · Miluo CityHearing that the Qin general Bai Qi had captured Chu's Ying capital and that King Qingxiang of Chu had moved east to Chencity, seeing Chu's cause lost, grief-stricken and indignant, he embraced a stone and drowned himself in the Miluo River to make his will known, and later ages commemorated him with the Dragon Boat Festival.

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