These nine activities were an extension to the older so-called Four Arts of the Chinese Scholar.

In ancient China, Chinese calligraphy is one of the Four Arts of the Chinese Scholars.

She was also adept in pipa and master of all the Four Arts of the Chinese Scholar - Guqin, Weiqi, Calligraphy and Chinese painting.

The Four Arts (四藝, siyi), or the Four Arts of the Chinese Scholar, were the four main accomplishments required of the Chinese scholar gentleman.

They were also lovers of culture, hypothetically enjoying and taking part in all Four Arts of the Chinese Scholar as touted by Confucianism, that is, painting, calligraphy, music, and games of skill and strategy.