Shangshu
/ʂɑ́ŋ ʂú/noun
A classical Chinese text traditionally known as the Book of Documents, and historically also a title for a high-ranking government official.
Did you know?The Shangshu was treated not merely as history but as a source of moral and political authority, with passages used to justify how a ruler maintained Heaven’s mandate.
Etymological Timeline
Late Old Chinese
Chinese
尚書
“A title meaning “esteemed” or “revered writings/documents”; the characters later became the name of a classical text.”
Han Dynasty, 2nd century BCE–2nd century CE
Chinese
Shàngshū
“The Book of Documents, a canonized collection of speeches, proclamations, and historical traditions associated with ancient rulers.”
Medieval Chinese
Chinese
尚書
“The title of a senior imperial official, literally connected with handling or supervising important documents.”
17th–19th centuries
European Sinology
Shang-shu
“A scholarly romanization used for the Chinese classical work and official title.”
Modern English
English
Shangshu
“A pinyin romanization referring chiefly to the Book of Documents, also called the Shu Jing.”
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