Silent Strings: The Cultural Identity of the Guqin in the Shape of National Policies

Abstract

The guqin from an exclusive cultural instrument of the literati class to a protected intangible cultural heritage—Its shifting status reflects the condensed history of Chinese culture. The guqin was inscribed by UNESCO in 2003 as a "Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity," marking a turning point. Since then, it has no longer been merely an elegant pastime for scholars but has entered the realm of national cultural strategy, becoming an important symbol of China's cultural soft power. The policy's "designation" of the guqin constitute a cultural practice of power. On one hand, it redefines what constitutes the "orthodox" guqin tradition—what deserves protection, promotion, and transmission. On the other hand, it has also been subject to bottom-up interpretations by different decoders, revealing diverse understandings and expressions of the guqin. Utilizing ethnographic methods, this article explores the guqin's modern cultural identity emerges through ongoing negotiations between national preservation policies and local interpretations of the tradition.