緯書

So-called because of their relation with the 經書 (“canon; classic”): whereas the canons were like the warp (經) in the fabrics of classical literature, the 緯書／纬书 (wěishū) were purported to be based on them and complement them like the weft.

緯書

1. (historical) Confucian esoteric literature (occult writings based on the body of Confucian classics)

   • 世稱緯書，仲尼之作也，臣悅叔父故司空爽辨之，蓋發其偽也。 [Classical Chinese, trad.]
     世称纬书，仲尼之作也，臣悦叔父故司空爽辨之，盖发其伪也。 [Classical Chinese, simp.]

     From: c. 2nd century, Xun Yue (荀悅), Shenjian (《申鑒》)

     Shì chēng wěishū, Zhòngní zhī zuò yě, chén Yuè shūfù gù sīkōng Shuǎng biànzhī, gài fā qí wěi yě. [Pinyin]

     People believe that the occult literature were authored by Confucius. My uncle Shuang, the former sikong, has written critically about them in the hope that their falsehood may be laid bare.