Rong Qiqi

Rong Qiqi (5th c. BCE), through the many retellings of the story as found here, became an exemplar for living naturally and spontaneously. He thus seems to have been a role model centuries later for the Seven Sages of the Bamboo Grove. Illustrations often showed him together with them.

Qin illustration 13 in Taiyin Daquanji says it is Rong Qiqi's Double Moon (雙月 Shuangye) qin.

His biography in Qin Shi begins as follows.

Rong Qiqi was a recluse of Lu. When Confucius was traveling around 泰山 Mount Tai he saw Qiqi wearing a rough fur coat, playing the qin and singing. Confucius sat down and asked him why he seemed to be so happy. (Qiqi) answered, There are many reasons why I am happy. People are the most valuable things, and I am a person. Men are ranked above women and I am a man. Most people don't survive infancy but I am 90. Most people are poor and await death: I am like them. Confucius listened further to his qin and discussed happiness with him for three days....

Translation incomplete. Further details in preparation.

Footnotes (Shorthand references are explained on a separate page)

1. Other sources include:

15559.74/5;
列子天瑞 Liezi, Heaven's Gifts; a shorter version of the story here.
琴書存目 Qinshu Cunmu (QSCM) #2, 三樂圖一卷 attributed to him
十二國史 Shi'er Guo Shi, quoted in 琴書大全 Qinshu Daquan, Folio 16, #9.
Audrey Spiro, Contemplating the Ancients. Numerous entries.
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2. 12 lines (Return)

3. Detail of brick relief images of Seven Sages of the Bamboo Grove at a Nanjing tomb. These images also show Xi Kang playing the qin backwards; however, Ruan Xian is playing his ruan lute correctly. (Return)

Return to QSCB, or to the Guqin ToC.