Seven Sages of the Bamboo Grove

The Seven Sages of the Bamboo Grove (also known as the Seven Worthies of the Bamboo Grove, simplified Chinese: ; traditional Chinese: ; pinyin: ) were a group of Chinese scholars, writers, and musicians of the 3rd century CE. Although the various individuals all existed, their interconnection is not entirely certain. Several of the seven were linked with the Qingtan school of Daoism as it existed in the Cao Wei state (or nation).

The Seven Sages found their lives to be in danger when the avowedly "Confucian" Jin Dynasty (Sima clan) came to power. Among other things, some of the seven wrote poems criticizing the court and the administration, and wrote Daoist influenced literature. Not all seven sages had similar views. Some of the seven tried to negotiate their way through the difficult political positions by self-consciously adopting the roles of alcohol-fueled pranksters and eccentrics avoiding government control (for example, Liu Ling), yet some ended up joining the Jin dynasty (for example Wang Rong). However much they may or may not personally engaged in qingtan, they became the subjects of it themselves in the Shishuo Xinyu (Chinese: 世說新語 "A New Account of the Tales of the World").

The Seven Sages are Ji Kang (aka Xi Kang), Liu Ling, Ruan Ji, Ruan Xian, Xiang Xiu, Wang Rong and Shan Tao. Ji Kang was especially close to Ruan Ji; their relationship was described as "stronger than metal and fragrant as orchids". The wife of Shan Tao was said to be impressed by Ruan Ji and Ji Kang's prowess when she spied on them during sex.

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