Qin music was created by the same class of people, the literati, who also created most surviving Chinese traditional painting. A traditional venue for appreciating music and other arts was an "elegant gathering". Here the scholars could pursue their "four arts" : qin, chess ("go"), books/calligraphy, and painting. People who have my CDs can try to recapture this flavor by looking at a related picture while listening to the music. I have also sometimes projected such images during performances (see Qin and Art).

Here are some examples. Others may be linked only through the respective melodies. In addition, Kuian Qinpu (1660) has illustrations for 13 melodies.

1. Chu Ci (Songs of the South);
   Four illustrated melodies, including Li Sao, Yuan You, Song Yu Bei Qiu (same theme as Jiu Bian), and Zepan Yin (same theme as Yu Fu).
2. Da Hujia (Nomad Reed Pipe, Long Version); also called 18 Songs of a Nomad Flute;
   The 18 sections of the Shen Qi Mi Pu melody Da Hujia correspond with the 18 scenes of a long scroll originally painted in the Song dynasty.
3. Yu Ge (Fisherman's Song);
   Another long scroll corresponding to sections of a qin melody.
4. Liu Shang (Floating Goblets);
   A long scroll from a rubbing depicting an event immortalized by Wang Xizhi
5. Chu Ge (Song of Chu);
   Farewell my Concubine: Xiang Yu parts from Yu Ji after losing to Liu Bang in the battle to overthrow the Qin dynasty.
6. Dunshi Cao (Fleeing from Society);
   The famous recluse Xu You declines the temptations of power.
7. Qiuyue Zhao Maoting (Autumn Moon Shining on a Reed Pavilion);
   Peaceful countryside scene.
8. Guanghan You (Wandering in a Lunar Palace);
   A traditional Chinese view of the moon.
9. Guanghan Qiu (Autumn in a Lunar Palace);
   Wu Gang tries to chop down a cassia tree.
10. Guangling San (Guangling Melody);
    The longest qin melody, attributed to Xi Kang
11. He Ming Jiu Gao (Cranes Cry in the Nine Marshpools);
    Dancing in the breeze; calling out to heaven.
12. Huo Lin (Captured Unicorn);
    A scene from the life of Confucius.
13. Jiu Kuang (Wine Mad);
    Drinking to avoid worldy corruption.
14. Yi Lan (Flourishing Orchid)
    An illustration from the life of Confucius
15. Yu Hui Tushan (Emperor Yu's Meeting at Mount Tu)
    An old rubbing showing scenes from the life of Emperor Yu
16. Zhuang Zhou Meng Die (Zhuangzi's Butterfly Dream);
    The fine line between dream and reality.
17. Yangguan Sandie (Thrice Parting for Yangguan);
    Includes calligraphy for the Wang Wei lyrics
18. Zui Weng Yin (Old Toper's Chant);
    Calligraphy for Zui Weng Cao, a poem by Su Dongpo in honor of his friend Ouyang Xiu.
19. Feng Qiu Huang (A Male Phoenix Seeks his Mate);
    A famous Chinese love story.
20. Xing Tan (Apricot Forum);
    The place where Confucius is said to have taught his students.
21. Yao Tian Sheng He (Jade Sheng Heavenly Crane);
    Wangzi Qiao rides a crane
22. Zui Yu Chang Wan (A Drunken Fisherman Sings in the Evening);
    Music more beautiful than a famous poem.
23. Zhongqiu Yue (Mid-Autumn Moon);
    The brightest moon of the year.

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