古籍 (gǔ jí) literally means 'ancient records' — 古 (gǔ) means 'ancient' or 'old,' and 籍 (jí) means 'book,' 'record,' or 'register.' Together, they refer specifically to Chinese books, manuscripts, or documents produced before the end of the Qing Dynasty (1912), especially those printed from woodblocks or hand-copied on paper or bamboo slips. These texts often contain classical literature, historical chronicles, philosophical treatises, medical manuals, or poetry.

古籍 are highly valued for their historical, linguistic, and cultural significance. Scholars study them to understand pre-modern Chinese thought, language evolution, and printing history. Many are preserved in national libraries, museums, and temple archives; some have been digitized to prevent deterioration. Unlike general 'old books,' 古籍 implies scholarly importance, traditional format, and authenticity — a modern reprint of a classic, even if faithful, is usually not called 古籍 unless it replicates original materials and production methods.