At night, the raven’s call, often thought to be a bad omen, was considered lucky in Chinese literature associated with this piece. The melody is attributed to a Liu Song Dynasty prince, Liu YiQing 劉義慶 (403-444). In the year 440, Liu YiKang 劉義康 (409-451), Regional Inspector of Jiangzhou, was banished by Emperor Wen 宋文帝 (407-453) to the region where Liu YiQing happened to be governor. The two cousins were overjoyed to be reunited. This displeased the emperor, who ordered Liu YiQing to leave his post and return home. There, the family remained in fear of what might happen. One night, Liu’s wife heard the raven call, hearkening to an auspicious sign that he would be pardoned. That same year, after it really came to pass, he composed this piece to commemorate the good omen.