Chinese Journal of Literary Criticism

No.3, 2025

The Aesthetic Category of Qi in the Turn of Value Theory

(Abstract)

An Jing

As a distinct Chinese category, qi (extraordinary) commands equivalent moral value to zheng (normal) at its inception and serves as the aesthetic pursuit of Wei-Jin intellectuals. During the Ming and Qing dynasties, the downward shift of cultural focus allowed qi to stand in contrast with chang (common) and become an aesthetic trend across society. The qi-zheng interaction illustrates the process of aesthetic contact, exchange and integration within Chinese nation, thus forming a unified community. In the West, the concept of “marvellous,” as opposed to “ordinary,” chiefly reflects aesthetic value. As the influence of Western cultural orthodoxy grew, a theoretical argument for achieving moral value emerged, which shares similarity with the qi-zheng debate in China. In the 19th century, qi turned into an independent aesthetic category in the Western cultural context. As history evolved, the discovery of qi is the outcome of different individuals emphasizing distinct value in varying contexts.