Poetry originated from ancient social life, which is a rhythmic and emotional language form due to labor production, sex and primitive religion. "Shangshu Yu Shu": "Poetry expresses ambition, song expresses Tao, sound is eternal, law and harmony." "Book of Rites. Le ":"Poetry expresses ambition; Song, chanting its voice; Dance, move its capacity; The three are based on the heart, and then the instrument follows it. " In the early days, poetry, song, music and dance were integrated. Poetry is the lyrics, which are always sung with music and dance in actual performances. Later, poetry, song, music and dance developed independently and became independent adults. Poems and songs are collectively called poems.
China's earliest collection of poems is The Book of Songs.