ABSTRACT
The basic meaning of yun 韻 in the Chinese language is “harmonious sounds.” In the course of its development, it is often used together with qi 氣 (breath, energy) or →shen 神 (spirit). The phrase qi yun 氣韻 or shen yun 神韻 first referred to the air, manner or temperament of a person. When it is used to describe a painting or, later, a poem and, finally, all kinds of artistic work, it means a stylistic charm or vividness or vitality of the work in question. It is regarded as the highest order of artistic creation.
