“Ballads from the States” and Northern Regional Culture in the Spring and Autumn Period

Abstract

The regional cultural characteristics reflected in “Ballads from the States” of the Book of Songs 诗经·国风 is a classic topic and also a hotspot in modern research on the Book of Songs. However, existing studies on the regional cultures of “Ballads from the States” have yet to address its relationship with folk customs. Unlike the Songs of Chu 楚辞, “Ballads from the States” exhibits a consistent cultural style. This comparison is often interpreted as indicating that Chu had a unique culture, with its people being superstitious and favoring shamanistic practices, while the northern states were seen as a cohesive entity with simple folk customs. The 15 states where these ballads were collected span from present-day Shaanxi to Shandong. Each area should have its own distinct folk customs and religious beliefs. However, these characteristics are not reflected in “Ballads from the States.” The reasons for this likely relate to the cultural traditions of the northern feudal states. Specifically, the northern feudal states emphasized the feudal clan system, refined language, and rejected local supernatural beliefs. Although these ballads moved beyond the court to celebrate the joys and sorrows of daily life, they continue to uphold the tradition of refined language and culture.

Keywords

Ballads from the States / regional cultures / folk customs

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Higher Education Press