Proceedings of The 8th International Academic Conference on Humanities and Social Sciences
Year: 2023
DOI:
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The Relationship between Literary Development and Traditional Medicine in the Southern Dynasty of China
Xuebei HU
ABSTRACT:
During the Southern Dynasty of China, the belief that human physiology and temperament were derived from the combination of innate nature and external influences persisted. This led to a close relationship between personal constitution and literary style during this period. Using an interdisciplinary approach, this study aims to investigate the connection between Chinese traditional medicine and literature in the Southern Dynasty. The weakened health of the aristocratic families in the Jiangdong region became a backdrop to showcase their political talents and moral integrity, which in turn established the concept that a weak physical constitution symbolized high literary excellence, as evidenced by the popular, flamboyant literary style of the time. In this context, physical health was intimately linked with literary creation and style, forming a dynamic cycle through mutual resonance. This research provides a new interdisciplinary perspective for the study of classical Chinese literature and is also significant for East Asian culture studies.
keywords: East Asian culture studies, classical Chinese literature, the Southern Dynasty, personal constitution, literary style