Loftiness,Gracefulness And Humor

The study on the aesthetic significance of Wei-Jin style is one of the subjects that draw most attention of present academic circle of ancient literature study. Wei-Jin style itself is a concept full of deep aesthetic charm and a proper notion that summarizes the ideal character-mode for elites in Wei and Jin dynasties. Through close study on the Wei-Jin style, we can expand our academic scope, better understand the psychological state and ideas of these people in that period as well as the aesthetic significance reflected from that by the help of our acquaintance with the political background and philosophy of that period. The study of Wei-Jin style is an overall study of Wei-Jin history, culture, political situation, ideological trend under the guideline of aesthetic principles of Western or Eastern school. So from the historical and philosophical angles the study is very significant. Once Zongbaihua, a famous Chinese specialist of aesthetics, wrote a well-book entitled Shih Sho Xin Yu and the Beauty of Jing people. In his book, he made a reasonable appreciation of the beauty of Wei-Jin style. Many scholars were enlightened and supplemented his study from different aspects. They had come to agree that the beauty was formed by the fusion of personality and nature beauty in Wei-Jin people. However, owing to monotonous methodology and absolute academic authority, the aesthetic value of Wei-Jin style has not yet been explored to a great extent and contemporary scholars research on it is confined by the preoccupation of a leading doctrine that Beauty lies in romantic charm. Under such circumstances, it is necessary for us to study its aesthetic significance from a new angle and by new methods. In my opinion, the special political situation of Wei-Jing dynasties resulted in Wei-Jing elites' loftiness, the metaphysics consisting Confucianism, Taoism and Buddhism inspired them to choose a graceful life style, the ideology which focused on developing individuality and self-achievement cast a light on their witful, humorous action and spoken manners.The harmonious fusion of these three factors formed a unique and ideal character-mode, namely, Wei-Jing style of Wei-Jing elites. If we should say "Beauty lies in romantic charm" reveals the essence of Wei-jing style's beauty, it can be assumed that loftiness, gracefulness and humor constitute all aesthetical senses of Wei-jing style. This is also the basic ground for my discussion on Wei-jing style in this paper.In the process of preparing for the paper, I've read many materials on Wei-jing style by different scholars in 20th century, especially some in 80s. At the same time I've reviewed a great number of books and articles about classic aesthetics at home and abroad in order to lay a solid theoretical foundation to complete this paper to my best abilities.