A Taoist priest employs Yuefu songs to spread religious doctrines and convert peopole to Taoism.

 

Taoist Yuefu songs originated from folk culture. These kinds of lyrics follow the style seen in Yuefu poems and were deeply influenced by Taoism.

During the Six Dynasties of Han-Wei, Taoism developed rapidly. Taoist priests employed Yuefu songs to spread their religious doctrines and persuade people to convert to Taoism. That’s why there are still many records of Taoist Yuefu songs, which mainly depict the realm of immortals and attempt to draw people into Taoism.
 

Based on different literary forms and functions, Taoist Yuefu songs can be divided into three styles—Quanxian ballads, immortal songs and Buxu poetry. Taoist Yuefu songs have been profoundly impacted by the concept of immortality in Taoism and were an artistic treasure throughout many dynasties.

The concept of immortality in the Han Dynasty (206 BC-AD 220) was reflected in literary works, such as in the exquisite lines of Han Fu, a form of poetry from the era, Yuefu poems described the realm of immortals. Yuefu refers to an official department in the Han Dynasty for collecting folk songs and ballads. The poems it collected are called Yuefu poems. Up until the end of the Eastern Han Dynasty (25-220), Taoism continued to take shape and Taoist beliefs in immortals were popularized. Immortal biographies and poems became a significant constituent part of literature at that time. Lyrics persuading people to believe in immortals or convert to Taoism were frequently seen in these songs.
 

Immortal songs are ballads telling stories of immortals and often adopt the various forms of Yuefu ballads. Immortal songs utilize folklore, historical stories and specific figures to enlighten and educate Taoists.

Buxu poetry praises immortals and their glorious lives in the land of the immortals. Because of its beautiful sounds, Buxu poems have been popularized in secular society and sung by scholars.       
 

  
Liu Kangle is from the School of Politics and Administration at Chang’an University in Shaanxi Province.