AUTHOR | HISTORIAN | ARTIST

For this week’s #FourGodsFriday, I was debating on posting my writing playlist for the first book (though if you guys would like to see it, just let me know!) but instead, I want to post a video depicting what the music of the time would have sounded like. It’s hard for us to imagine music from 3,000 years ago, and songs like this one were ones Gen and the wealthy class of China would have heard on a regular basis, though folk songs were plentiful for every walk of life. Music was a crucial part of life and like in most cultures, was seen as not only a way to entertain, but to convey emotions or situations that may not be so easily said in words alone. Many Chinese idioms reference musical instruments or singing, as do poems and legends. A fun fact to do with the Four Gods in particular is that the Fenghuang is said to represent the pentatonic musical scale and is said to be a master of vocal performances. The Fenghuang is also said to favor musicians and will sometimes sing with them if they find the melody pleasing. As far as the human realm goes, princes of Gen’s standing would also be expected to have an understanding of and some respectable level of skill in musical arts and poetry.

This song, simply called “Your Collar,” or “Lapel” references someone haunted by the memory of their lover, particularly the green color they had a penchant for wearing. I know it’s nothing specific to the gods or characters, but I always find glimpses into the past like these fascinating and I hope you do, too. 

That’s all for this week! Just to let you all know, there won’t be any segment next week due to the holiday weekend. Hope you all stay well for the upcoming holidays! See you in a few weeks!