According to the Confucian views on rites, music and music education, music arises from the human mind and moves the people. A country enjoying peace and order makes people feel peaceful and harmonious. In an era of peace and stability, people will naturally be in a peaceful mood, which finds expression in the idyllic and merry styles of music created by them. The idyll and merriness of music helps foster a fine social atmosphere by creating serenity and mental harmony among the public. In this sense, music has a political function, as it helps maintain order and cultivate morals and mores.

One’s stirring emotion is manifested in sounds. When these sounds are arranged into tunes, they constitute musical notes. Hence, the music in time of peace indicates serenity and happiness because of good governance. The music in time of disorder indicates dissatisfaction and anger because of political turmoil. The music of a state on the verge of collapse reveals sorrow and anxiety because its people are in distress. So there is a connection between the music of a state and its governance. (The Book of Rites)

Suppose a person well-versed in music plays ancient music with a musical instrument of today. Free from disorder, stagnation, weakness, and softness, his musical notes feature moderation, harmony, elegance, and purity. Such music touches people and creates a harmonious atmosphere. Surely this is the music of an era of peace and order. (The History of the Song Dynasty)