徐陵

Xu Ling (507–583) was a leading literary figure of the Southern Dynasties period, serving in high official posts under the Liang and Chen dynasties. He was celebrated for his ornate and elegant style, which epitomized the courtly 'palace style' poetry of the era. His most enduring achievement is the compilation of the Yutai Xinyong (New Songs from a Jade Terrace), an anthology of over 600 poems, many by women, that became a foundational text for the study of early Chinese lyric poetry. The collection was influential in shaping later poetic traditions, particularly in its focus on romantic and sensual themes. Xu Ling's own poetry, though less widely known today, was highly regarded in his time. His work and editorial choices helped define the aesthetic of the Six Dynasties and left a lasting mark on Chinese literary history.