Inner Clarity and Divine Aspiration: Aesthetic Characteristics of Neo-Confucians' Poetry in Song Dynasty

Chinese traditional aesthetics had a important feature of paying attention to the subject of human beings, and the Neo-Confucians in Song pay special attention to mental thinking. They inherited the Confucian tradition, attached great importance to their own realm and accomplishment, and formed a unique creative style. They advocated morality, had a sense of social responsibility, and got close to nature. More importantly, they attached importance to the cultivation of mind and personality, making their poetry both artistic and philosophical. This paper makes a comprehensive review of the aesthetic characteristics of this kind of poetry, which originates from its inner vitality.