guwen
Quick Summary
Guwen refers to an early form of Chinese writing, seen on bronze vessels and objects from the Shang and Zhou dynasties. It is similar to jiaguwen (script on oracle bones) but shows a gradual development with more complex characters and meanings, transitioning from pictographic to more abstract symbols.1
In literature, guwen also denotes a prose style advocating for a more straightforward, ancient form of expression. This movement was reemphasized during the Song dynasty by writers like Ouyang Xiu and Su Shi. While guwen was a literary language, a contrasting trend of storytelling emerged in the vernacular, reflecting everyday speech and opening new avenues for prose fiction.234
Ask Britannica AI about this topic
Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.
Han YuHan advocated the adoption of guwen, the free, simple prose of these early philosophers, a style unencumbered by the mannerisms and elaborate verselike regularity of the pianwen (āparallel proseā) style that was prevalent in Hanās time. His own essays (e.g., āOn the Way,ā āOn Man,ā and āOn Spiritsā) are amongā¦
Read MoreHan advocated the adoption of guwen, the free, simple prose of these early philosophers, a style unencumbered by the mannerisms and elaborate verselike regularity of the pianwen (āparallel proseā) style that was prevalent in Hanās time. His own essays (e.g., āOn the Way,ā āOn Man,ā and āOn Spiritsā) are amongā¦
Read More- Mei Yaochen
ā¦poetic style linked with the guwen (āancient literatureā) revival.
Read Moreā¦poetic style linked with the guwen (āancient literatureā) revival.
Read More - Ouyang Xiu
ā¦who reintroduced the simple āancient styleā in Chinese literature and sought to reform Chinese political life through principles of classical Confucianism.
Read Moreā¦who reintroduced the simple āancient styleā in Chinese literature and sought to reform Chinese political life through principles of classical Confucianism.
Read More - Yuan Zhen
ā¦of China, influential in the guwen (āancient-style proseā) revival, which employed the styles of the early classical Chinese writers.
Read Moreā¦of China, influential in the guwen (āancient-style proseā) revival, which employed the styles of the early classical Chinese writers.
Read More
Chinese literatureGeneral characteristicsClassical, or literary, prose (guwen, or wenyan) aims at the standards and styles set by ancient writers and their distinguished followers of subsequent ages, with the Confucian Classics and the early philosophers as supreme models. While the styles may vary with individual writers, the language is always far removedā¦
Read MoreClassical, or literary, prose (guwen, or wenyan) aims at the standards and styles set by ancient writers and their distinguished followers of subsequent ages, with the Confucian Classics and the early philosophers as supreme models. While the styles may vary with individual writers, the language is always far removedā¦
Read More- Chinese literatureProse
ā¦ancient, more straightforward style (guwen) was reemphasized by such 11th-century writers as Ouyang Xiu and Su Dongpo. Both men held high rank in the civil service and were great painters as well as leading poets. Nevertheless, their contribution to prose writing in guwen style was as important as theirā¦
Read Moreā¦ancient, more straightforward style (guwen) was reemphasized by such 11th-century writers as Ouyang Xiu and Su Dongpo. Both men held high rank in the civil service and were great painters as well as leading poets. Nevertheless, their contribution to prose writing in guwen style was as important as theirā¦
Read More 
ChinaTrends in the artsThe guwen, or āancient style,ā movement grew up after the rebellion of An Lushan, seeking to replace the euphuistic pianwen (āparallel proseā) then dominant. It was closely associated with the movement for a Confucian revival. The most prominent figures in it were Han Yu and Liuā¦
Read MoreThe guwen, or āancient style,ā movement grew up after the rebellion of An Lushan, seeking to replace the euphuistic pianwen (āparallel proseā) then dominant. It was closely associated with the movement for a Confucian revival. The most prominent figures in it were Han Yu and Liuā¦
Read More