The guqin is one of China's oldest string instruments, traditionally played by scholars and literati as a tool for contemplation rather than public performance. Its repertoire was passed down through notation and teaching, and its restrained, intimate style became closely linked with poetry, painting and philosophy. Today the instrument appears in historical dramas, video game soundtracks and meditation recordings, and short guqin clips are widely shared online by creators who want an instantly recognisable sound of traditional Chinese culture.