of this region to protest his unjust exile, Qu Yuan was often referred to in poetry as "Embracing Sand", for instance by Li Bo. The wild goose is one of the hallmark symbols of Classical Chinese poetry, with various connotations: the descent of the goose or geese, combined with the descent to the level sand, signifies that the geese are flying south, the season is Autumn, and the forces of Yin are on the rise (thus adding to the involved symbolism). Influence The Eight Views of Xiaoxiang inspired the people of Far East to create other Eight Views in China, Japan and Korea, as well as series of other numbers of scenes. In China various versions of The Eight Views of Xiaoxiang have been inspired by the original series, as well as inspiring other series of eight scenes. The Eight Views of Xiaoxiang became a favorite theme of Buddhist monks. Works covering the Eight Views include a set of paintings by Wang Hong (in the Princeton University Art Museum), now thought to be the earliest surviving depiction of the Eight Views, a set of paintings attributed to Mu Qi (parts in the Kyoto National Museum), and others. See also Classical Chinese poetry Eight Views Eight Views of Jinzhou (Dalian) Eight Views of Korea Eight Views of Lushun South Road, Dalian Eight Views of Omi (近江八景 in Japanese), Japan Eight Views of Taiwan Geese in Chinese poetry List of National Treasures of Japan (paintings) Shōnan Song dynasty poetry Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji, series by Hokusai and Hiroshige Twelve Views of Bayu Xiang River goddesses Xiaoxiang Xiaoxiang poetry Zhu Changfang References Citations Sources External links Chinese paintings