Chǔ cí (Songs of Chu) is a foundational anthology of classical Chinese poetry from the Warring States period, traditionally attributed to Qu Yuan and other poets from the ancient southern state of Chu. The character 楚 refers specifically to that region—known for its distinct culture, shamanistic traditions, and lush, humid landscape—and 辞 means 'lyric' or 'rhapsodic poem', denoting a highly expressive, rhythmic, and often mythologically rich poetic form different from the more restrained Shījīng (Book of Odes).

The Chǔ cí style features vivid natural imagery—especially plants like orchids, magnolias, and artemisia—as symbols of moral integrity and sorrow. It employs flexible line lengths, exclamatory particles (like xī), and emotional intensity rarely seen in earlier verse. Though historically tied to Chu’s geography and politics, Chǔ cí became a revered literary genre influencing centuries of Chinese poetry, calligraphy, and painting.