Classical Chinese poetry genres are those genres which typify the traditional
Chinese poems written in
Classical Chinese. Some of these genres are attested to as early as the publication of the
Classic of Poetry, dating from a traditionally, and roughly, estimated time of around 10th–7th century BCE, in what is now China, but at that time was composed of various independent states. The term "genres" refers to various aspects, such as to topic, theme, and subject matter, what similes or metaphors were considered appropriate or how they would be interpreted, and other considerations such as vocabulary and style. These genres were generally, but not always independent of the
Classical Chinese poetry forms. Many or most of these forms and genres were developed by the
Tang Dynasty, and the use and development of Classical Chinese poetry genres actively continued up to until the
May Fourth Movement, in 1919, and still continues even today in the 21st century.