Liu Xie

Author of The Literary Mind and the Carving of Dragons, the most systematic great work of literary theory in ancient China.

Life

Studied under a monk

Liu Xie was poor in his early years and lived with the monk Sengyou for more than ten years, becoming thoroughly versed in the scriptures and treatises and helping to organize the Buddhist canon.

The Literary Mind and the Carving of Dragons

Over several years he wrote the fifty chapters of The Literary Mind and the Carving of Dragons, a systematic discussion of the origins of literature, its genres, composition and criticism. When the book was finished no one paid it any attention, so he carried it to the roadside to wait for the carriage of Shen Yue, the leader of the literary world; Shen Yue read it, praised it highly and kept it on his desk.

Became a monk

He later took office under Liang, serving as a secretary (tongshi sheren) in the household of Xiao Tong, Crown Prince Zhaoming. In his late years he became a Buddhist monk, taking the Dharma name Huidi.

Legacy

The Literary Mind and the Carving of Dragons is the pinnacle of ancient Chinese literary theory, with a systematic completeness rare among ancient works of literary criticism.

Major works & achievements

• The Literary Mind and the Carving of Dragons

Did you know? To get Shen Yue to read his book, he disguised himself as a peddler and waited by the roadside.

Key dates

• 501The Literary Mind and the Carving of Dragons completed (approx.)
• 502Took office under Liang
• 520Became a Buddhist monk, died soon after (approx.)