Being Mild and Gentle, Sincere and Broadminded and Chinese Aesthetic Psychology

Abstract

Abstract Appearing for the first time in the chapter “Explanation of the Six Arts” of The Book of Rites, the term “being mild and gentle, sincere and broadminded” reflects Chinese aesthetic psychology. Based on the philosophy of the Mean and harmony, the term fuses poetry with music and extends them to the aesthetics of literature and art. It preserves the concept of harmony dating to the Zhou Dynasty (1046 B.C.E.–256 B.C.E.). After being explained by Confucius and expounded by Dai Sheng, the compiler of The Book of Rites, it influenced the studies of The Book of Songs and music theory of the Han Dynasty (206 B.C.E.–220 C.E.). It laid the foundation of the aesthetic psychology of the Chinese nation and still retains strong vitality.