Ji Kang

Ruan Ji

Shan Tao

Xiang Xiu

Liu Ling

Ruan Xian

Wang Rong

The seven sages of the bamboo grove Part 1

Seventeen hundred years ago, the political struggle between Sima Yi and Cao Shuang intensified, many sages were involved in the current of politics and were killed. Faced with the political struggle, seven sages often gathered in the Bamboo Grove, Yuntai Mount of Henan. So they was called "The Seven Sages of The Bamboo Grove"...

The seven sages of the bamboo grove Part 2

The Seven Sages didn´t gather in the bamboo grove just to drink and discuss Taoist philosophy. Their real intention was to live in freedom, without fetters. They wanted to enjoy the carefree life´s journey advocated by Zhuangzi. In the Gaoping Mausoleum coup, Sima Yi had Cao Shuang and numerous other people executed. Several thousand people in all were killed...

The seven sages of the bamboo grove Part 3

Ruanji,one of the seven sages, used to be the secretary of Sima Zhao. He asked to join the army and become an officer. He didn´t come on political issues and presented no real threat to the Sima family. This is a factor of Sima family´s tolerence and their desire to defend him. Wang Rong, another one of the seven sages, held the highest level position among the seven sages...

The seven sages of the bamboo grove Part 4

It was quite common at the Three Kingdoms for people who held unorthodox views to seeks refuge among mountains, far away from the political turmoil. They often amused themselves by music. Ji Kang was good at playing "Qin", and composed "Guang Ling San"...

The seven sages of the bamboo grove Part 5

As one of the seven sages of the bamboo grove, Yuanxian is a musical genius. He developed an improved "pipa", and it was named after him. Shan Tao is another of the seven sages. He is said to be one of best writers among them. But unfortunately none of his works survived. Ji Kang is the most famous of the seven sages and his calligraphy is the most admired.

The seven sages of the bamboo grove Part 6

Ji Kang is a representative figure of The Seven Sages of The Bamboo Grove. Merging effortlessly with Nature was what he spursued and advocated in life. He held unorthodox views to seeks refuge among mountains, far away from the political turmoil. Shan Tao, when he´d recommended Ji Kang to take over his official position, would only have done so with Sima Zhao′s approval. But he refused firmly...

The seven sages of the bamboo grove Part 7

It was in the eighth lunar month of the year 262 that Ji Kang met his end. But what became of his companions from the bamboo grove after his death? Xiang Xiu shut himself in his home and into a period of deep depression. After sevral days he traveled to Luoyang where he visited Sima Zhao...