A group of eight famous literati and poets during the Southern Qi Dynasty who gathered under the patronage of Xiao Ziliang, Prince of Jingling. The group included 萧衍 xiāo​yǎn, 沈约 shěn​yuē, 谢朓 xiè​tiǎo, and others whose rhythmic poetic style, known as 永明体 yǒng​míng​tǐ, helped establish the foundations of regulated verse.