The first article of The Book of Songs, Ya Wen Wang, is a poem in the pre-Qin period, which consists of seven chapters and eight sentences in each chapter. Praise the founder of Zhou Dynasty, King Wen Jichang. Zhu's Biography of Poetry solved this problem according to the article Lu's Spring and Autumn Annals and Ancient Music: the Zhou people recalled the virtue of the king of Wen, so the Ming State was ordered to replace Yin and become king by resignation. This shows that this poem was written in the early years of the Western Zhou Dynasty and was written by Duke Zhou. Later generations said "poetry" and said more from now on.
Yu Pei Lin's Book of Songs said: Look at the words in the poem, earnestly exhort and earnestly warn, so it is said. At this point, the purpose of this poem can be summarized as four words: respect for heaven and respect for law. This theory is concise and appropriate. The Book of Songs is the first collection of poems in the history of literature, which has a far-reaching influence on the development of later poems.
Poetry appreciation
There are many poems praising King Wen in The Book of Songs. This is the first one, because its author is a political representative of the Western Zhou Dynasty and is known as the sage Duke of Zhou. The content of the poem expresses an important political theme, which has practical and long-term political significance to the ruling class in the Western Zhou Dynasty.
The whole poem consists of seven chapters with eight sentences in each chapter. The first chapter, it is said that King Wen is destined to rejuvenate the country and establish a new dynasty. The second chapter tells that the descendants of Wang Xingguo Fuze are related by blood, and they will enjoy the glory of Fulu from generation to generation. The third chapter, it is said that there are many talents passed down from generation to generation in the dynasty. The fourth chapter says that the Zhou dynasty was virtuous and virtuous, and its fate was related to it, and people were obedient to it. The fifth chapter says that destiny is impermanent, and the Shang dynasty nobles who once owned the world became active soldiers. The sixth chapter says that only by taking Yin as a mirror and respecting it can we keep our destiny unchanged. The seventh chapter says that imitating the virtue and diligence of King Wen can we be blessed by heaven and enjoy long-term stability.