Qing literati

Qing literati (Chinese: 文人; pinyin: wénrén) were scholars in the Qing dynasty (1644-1912) educated in the Confucian curriculum, the "Four Books and Five Classics", and sometimes called "shi" (Chinese:士), scholar, and "shen" (Chinese:绅), or gentry. They were defined by their education and lifestyle, whether or not they gained their ambition of passing the Imperial examinations or becoming scholar-officials. They typically began their studies when young. ^: 145 They attempted to pass three tests throughout their lives. Candidates who achieved the lower degree were called shengyuan (Chinese:生员); those who passed the second level could take the third and highest test, held in Beijing every three years; those who passed this highest test were jinshi.