In The Book of Songs, the content is divided into three categories according to

style and tune: feng (ballad), ya (court hymn), and song (eulogy). Ballads are

music from different regions, mostly folk songs. Court hymns, divided into daya

(major hymn) and xiaoya (minor hymn), are songs sung at court banquets or

grand ceremonies. They are mostly the works by lettered noblemen. Eulogies

are ritual or sacrificial dance music and songs, most of which praise the

achievements of ancestors. Court hymns and eulogies are highbrow songs

while ballads are lowbrow ones. Therefore, ballads, court hymns, and eulogies

not only refer to the styles of The Book of Songs but also classify the songs into

highbrow and lowbrow categories. Later on fengya (风雅) generally referred to

anything elegant.