list of rulers of china

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Emperor Shun – a mural painting from the Han Dynasty

The list of rulers of China includes rulers of China with various titles. From the Shang Dynasty to the Qin Dynasty, rulers usually held the title "King" (Chinese: 王 Wáng). With the division of China into separate Warring States, this title had become so common that the unifier of China, the first Qin Emperor Qin Shi Huang created a new title for himself, that of "Emperor" (皇帝 Huángdì). This title of Emperor of China continued to be used for the remainder of China's Imperial history, right down to the fall of the Qing Dynasty in 1912. While many other monarchs existed in and around China throughout its history, this list covers only those with a quasi-legitimate claim to the majority of China, or those who have traditionally been named in king-lists. The following list of Chinese monarchs is in no way comprehensive.

Chinese monarchs were known by many different names, and how they should be identified is often confusing. Sometimes the same emperor is commonly known by two or three separate names, or the same name is used by emperors of different dynasties. The tables below do not necessarily include all of an emperor's names – for example, posthumous names could run to more than twenty characters and were rarely used in historical writing – but, where possible, the most commonly used name or naming convention has been indicated.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:EmperorShun.jpg

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:EmperorShun.jpg

These tables may not necessarily represent the most recently updated information on Chinese monarchs; please check the page for the relevant dynasty for possible additional information.

Follow these links to see how they are related:

Chinese emperors family tree (ancient) → Chinese emperors family tree (early) → Chinese emperors family tree (middle) → Chinese emperors family tree (late)

Contents

1 Three Sovereigns & Five Emperors Period 三皇五帝 2 Xia Dynasty 夏 3 Shang Dynasty 4 Zhou Dynasty 周 5 Qin Dynasty 秦 6 Han Dynasty 漢 / 汉 7 Three Kingdoms Period 三國 / 三国 8 Jin Dynasty 晉 / 晋 9 Sixteen Kingdoms Period 十六國 / 十六国

o 9.1 Sovereignties established by Wu Hu 10 Northern and Southern Dynasties 南北朝 11 Sui Dynasty 隋 12 Tang Dynasty 唐 13 Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms 五代十国

o 13.1 Independent Regimes during Ten Kingdoms 14 Liao Dynasty 辽 15 Song Dynasty 宋 16 Western Xia 西夏 17 Jin Dynasty 金 18 Yuan Dynasty 元 19 Ming Dynasty 明

o 19.1 Shun Dynasty 順 o 19.2 Southern Ming Dynasty 南明

20 Qing Dynasty 清 o 20.1 Taiping Rebellion 太平天国 o 20.2 Yuan Shikai's Empire of China

21 External links

Three Sovereigns & Five Emperors Period 三皇五帝

Main article: Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors

Although it is ingrained in Chinese mythology that the earliest mythological rulers of China included three huáng (皇, generally translated "Sovereign" or "August one", denoting demi-god

status) and five dì (帝, generally translated "Emperor", but denoting much more reverential status than the modern term "Emperor"), their identities have differed between different sources, with some individuals such as the Yellow Emperor being regarded as either Sovereign or Emperor, depending on the source. The two characters would later be taken together by Qin Shi Huang to form the new title huángdì (皇帝, Emperoror), thus claiming legendary status for himself. These figures are all legendary, not historical.

Sovereigns/Emperors Title Other names Years of reignSovereign1,4,5 (Emperor3) Nüwa 女媧— (180,000 years)Sovereign (Emperor3) Youchao 有巢— (110,000 years)(Sovereign4) Emperor3 Suiren 燧人— (456,000 years)Sovereign1,4,5 (Emperor2,3) Fu Xi 伏羲— 2852–2737 BCSovereign1 (Emperor2,3) Yan Emperor 炎帝 Shennong 2737–2699 BC(Sovereign5) Emperor1,2 Yellow

Emperor黃帝 Gongsun

Xuanyuan2699–2588 BC

Emperor2 Shaohao 少昊 Jin Tian 2587–2491 BCEmperor1,2 Zhuanxu 顓頊 Gaoyang 2490–2413 BCEmperor1 Ku 帝嚳 Gaoxin 2412–2343 BCEmperor1 Zhi 摯 Qingyang-shi 2343–2333 BCEmperor1 Yao 堯 Yaotang-shi 2333–2234 BCEmperor1 Shun 舜 Youyu-shi 2233–2184 BC1 — According to the Records of the Grand Historian.2 — According to the Songs of Chu.3 — According to the Book of Rites.4 — According to the Shangshu dazhuan (尚書大傳) and Baihu tongyi (白虎通義).5 — According to the Diwang shiji (帝王世紀)

Traditional dates are provided.

Xia Dynasty 夏

Main article: Xia Dynasty

C. 2070–1600 BC1

Reign name² Given name Notes

Yǔ 禹 Also known as: Dà Yǔ, 大禹 (Yǔ the Great)

Qǐ 啟 Son of Yǔ; beginning of hereditary succession

Tài Kāng 太康 Kāng 康　

Zhòng Kāng 仲康 Kāng 康　

Xiāng 相　

No king About 40 years

Shào Kāng 少康 Kāng 康　

Zhù 杼　

Huái 槐　

Máng 芒　

Xiè 泄/洩　

Jiàng 降　

Jiōng 扃　

Yìn Jiǎ 胤甲 Jǐn 廑　

Kǒng Jiǎ 孔甲　

Gāo 皋　

Fā 發　

Lǚ Guǐ 履癸 Jié 桀　 Reign ended in Battle of Mingtiao

1 — The first generally accepted date in Chinese history is 841 BC. All dates prior to this are the subject of often vigorous dispute. The dates provided here are those put forward by The Xia–Shang–Zhou Chronology Project, the work of scholars sponsored by the Chinese government which reported in 2000. They are given only as a guide.2 — The reign name is sometimes preceded by the name of the dynasty, Xià (夏).

Shang Dynasty

Main article: Shang Dynasty

C. 1600–1046 BC1

Temple name Regnal name² Given name³ Reign years1 CapitalTiān Yǐ 天乙 Tāng 湯 1600–1300

BCBó亳Wài Bǐng 外丙 Shèng 勝

Zhòng Rén 仲壬 Yōng 庸Tàizōng 太宗 Tài Jiǎ 太甲 Zhì 至

Wò Dīng 沃丁 Xuàn 絢

Tài Gēng 太庚 Biàn 辯Xiǎo Jiǎ 小甲 Gāo 高Yōng Jǐ 雍己 Zhòu 伷Tài Wù 太戊 Mì 密

Zhòng Dīng 仲丁 Zhuāng 莊 Áo隞Wài Rén 外壬 Fā 發

Jiān Jiǎ 戔甲 Zhěng 整 Xiàng相

Zhōngzōng 中宗 Zǔ Yǐ 祖乙 Téng 滕Bì庇

Zǔ Xīn 祖辛 Dàn 旦Wò Jiǎ 沃甲 Yú 踰

Zǔ Dīng 祖丁 Xīn 新Nán Gēng 南庚 Gēng 更 Yǎn

奄Yáng Jiǎ 陽甲 Hé 和Pán Gēng4 盤庚 Xún 旬

1300–1251 BC

Yīn殷

Xiǎo Xīn 小辛 Sòng 頌Xiǎo Yǐ 小乙 Liǎn 斂

Gāozōng 高宗 Wǔ Dīng 武丁 Zhāo 昭 1250–1192 BC

Zǔ Gēng 祖庚 Yuè 躍1191–1148

BCZǔ Jiǎ 祖甲 Zài 載

Lǐn Xīn 廩辛 Xiān 先Kāng Dīng 康丁 Xiāo 囂

Wǔ Yǐ 武乙 Qú 瞿 1147–1113 BC

Wén Dīng5 文丁 Tuō 托 1112–1102 BC

Dì Yǐ 帝乙 Xiàn 羡 1101–1076 BC

Di Xin 帝辛 Shòu 受 1075–1046 BC

1 The first generally accepted date in Chinese history is 841 BC. All dates prior to this are the subject of often vigorous dispute. The dates provided here are those put forward by The Xia–Shang–Zhou Chronology Project, the work of scholars sponsored by the Chinese government which reported in 2000. They are given only as a guide.2 The reign name is sometimes preceded by the name of the dynasty, Shang (商).3 The Shang royal family name was Zǐ (子).4 The period of the Shang dynasty starting from Pan Geng is also frequently referred to as the Yin (殷) dynasty. because he changed capital to Yin.5 Also known as Tai Ding (太丁).

Zhou Dynasty 周

Main article: Zhou Dynasty

Circa 10461–256 BC, traditionally divided into:

Western Zhou dynasty, c. 1046–771 BC Eastern Zhou dynasty, 770–256 BC, which is in turn split into:

o the Spring and Autumn Period, 770–476 BCo the Warring States Period, 475–221 BC

Posthumous name Given nameReign years1 Common name

Pinyin Chinese Pinyin Chinese

Wǔ Wáng 武王 Fā 發 1046–1043 BC1 King Wu of Zhou

Chéng Wáng 成王 Sòng 誦 1042–1021 BC1

King Cheng of Zhou

Kāng Wáng 康王 Zhāo 釗 1020–996 BC1 King Kang of Zhou

Zhāo Wáng 昭王 Xiá 瑕 995–977 BC1 King Zhao of ZhouMù Wáng 穆王 Mǎn 滿 976–922 BC1 King Mu of Zhou

Gōng Wáng 共王 Yīhù 繄扈 922–900 BC1 King Gong of ZhouYì Wáng 懿王 Jiān 囏 899–892 BC1 King Yi of Zhou

Xiào Wáng 孝王 Bìfāng 辟方 891–886 BC1 King Xiao of ZhouYí Wáng 夷王 Xiè 燮 885–878 BC1 King Yi of ZhouLì Wáng 厲王 Hú 胡 877–841 BC1 King Li of Zhou

Gonghe 共和 (regency) 841–828 BC GongheXuān Wáng 宣王 Jìng 靜 827–782 BC King Xuan of ZhouYōu Wáng 幽王 Gōngshēng 宮湦 781–771 BC King You of ZhouPing Wang 平王 Yijiu 宜臼 770–720 BC King Ping of ZhouHuan Wang 桓王 Lin 林 719–697 BC King Huan of Zhou

Zhuang Wang 莊王 Tuo 佗 696–682 BCKing Zhuang of

ZhouXi Wang 釐王 Huqi 胡齊 681–677 BC King Xi of ZhouHui Wang 惠王 Lang 閬 676–652 BC King Hui of Zhou

Xiang Wang 襄王 Zheng 鄭 651–619 BC King Xiang of ZhouQing Wang 頃王 Renchen 壬臣 618–613 BC King Qing of Zhou

Kuang Wang 匡王 Ban 班 612–607 BCKing Kuang of

ZhouDing Wang 定王 Yu 瑜 606–586 BC King Ding of ZhouJian Wang 簡王 Yi 夷 585–572 BC King Jian of ZhouLing Wang 靈王 Xiexin 泄心 571–545 BC King Ling of ZhouJing Wang 景王 Gui 貴 544–521 BC King Jing of ZhouDao Wang 悼王 Meng 猛 520 BC King Dao of ZhouJing Wang 敬王 Gai 丐 519–476 BC King Jing of ZhouYuan Wang 元王 Ren 仁 475–469 BC King Yuan of Zhou

Zhending Wang 貞定王 Jie 介 468–442 BC King Zhending of

ZhouAi Wang 哀王 Quji 去疾 441 BC King Ai of ZhouSi Wang 思王 Shu 叔 441 BC King Si of Zhou

Kao Wang 考王 Wei 嵬 440–426 BC King Kao of Zhou

Weilie Wang 威烈王 Wu 午 425–402 BCKing Weilie of

ZhouAn Wang 安王 Jiao 驕 401–376 BC King An of ZhouLie Wang 烈王 Xi 喜 375–369 BC King Lie of Zhou

Xian Wang 顯王 Bian 扁 368–321 BC King Xian of Zhou

Shenjing Wang 慎靚王 Ding 定 320–315 BCKing Shenjing of

ZhouNan Wang 赧王 Yan 延 314–256 BC King Nan of Zhou

1 The first generally-accepted date in Chinese history is 841 BC, the beginning of the Gonghe regency. All dates prior to this are the subject of often vigorous dispute. The dates provided here are those put forward by The Xia–Shang–Zhou Chronology Project, the work of scholars sponsored by the Chinese government which reported in 2000. They are given only as a guide.

Qin Dynasty 秦

Sovereigns of the Qin Dynasty 221–207 BCTitle Given Name Period of Reign

Qín Shǐ Huáng1 秦始皇 Zhèng 政 221–210 BCQín Èr Shì 秦二世 Húhài 胡亥 209–207 BCQín Sān Shì2 秦三世 Ziyīng 子嬰 207 BC1 — Qin Shi Huang became king of the State of Qin in 246 BC, but did not unite China and proclaim himself "Emperor" until 221 BC.2 — Ziying is often referred to by his personal name and as king, rather than emperor, of Qin (秦王子嬰).

Han Dynasty 漢/汉

Main article: List of emperors of the Han DynastyHan Dynasty Sovereigns

Posthumous Name Personal NamePeriod

of ReignEra Name

Range of years

Convention: "Han" + posthumous name, excepting Liu Gong, Liu Hong, Ruzi Ying, the Prince of Changyi, the Marquess of Beixiang, and the Prince of Hongnong.

Western Han Dynasty 206 – 9 AD

Gao Zu 高祖 Liu Bang 劉邦 206 – 195 BC

Did not exist

Hui Di 惠帝 Liu Ying 劉盈 195 – 188 BC

Did not exist

Shao Di (Shao Di Gong)

少帝 Liu Gong

劉恭 188 – 184 BC

Did not exist

Shao Di (Shao Di Hong)

少帝 Liu Hong

劉弘 184 – 180 BC

Did not exist

Wen Di 文帝 Liu Heng 劉恆 179 – 157 BC

Hòuyuán 後元 163 – 156 BC

Jing Di 景帝 Liu Qi 劉啟 156 – 141 BC

Zhōngyuán 中元 149 – 143 BC


Wu Di 武帝 Liu Che 劉徹 140 – 87 BC

Jiànyuán 建元 140 – 135 BC

Yuánguāng 元光 134 – 129 BC

Yuánshuò 元朔 128 – 123 BC

Yuánshòu 元狩 122 – 117 BC

Yuándǐng 元鼎 116 – 111 BC

Yuánfēng 元封 110 – 105 BC

Tàichū 太初 104 – 101 BC

Tiānhàn 天漢 100 – 97 BC

Tàishǐ 太始 96 – 93 BC

Zhēnghé 征和 92 – 89 BC


Zhao Di 昭帝 Liu Fuling

劉弗陵 86 – 74 BC

Shǐyuán 始元 86 – 80 BC

Yuánfèng 元鳳 80 – 75 BC

Yuánpíng 元平 74 BC

The Prince of Changyi

昌邑王　or 海昏侯

Liu He 劉賀 74 BC Yuánpíng 元平 74 BC

Xuan Di 宣帝 Liu Xun 劉詢 73 – 49 BC

Běnshǐ 本始 73 – 70 BC

Dìjié 地節 69 – 66 BC

Yuánkāng 元康 65 – 61 BC

Shénjué 神爵 61 – 58 BC

Wǔfèng 五鳳 57 – 54 BC

Gānlù 甘露 53 – 50 BC

Huánglóng 黃龍 49 BC

Yuan Di 元帝 Liu Shi 劉奭 48 – 33 BC

Chūyuán 初元 48 – 44 BC

Yǒngguāng 永光 43 – 39 BC

Jiànzhāo 建昭 38 – 34 BC

Jìngníng 竟寧 33 BC

Cheng Di 成帝 Liu Ao 劉驁 32 – 7 BC

Jiànshǐ 建始 32 – 28 BC

Hépíng 河平 28 – 25 BC

Yángshuò 陽朔 24 – 21 BC

Hóngjiā 鴻嘉 20 – 17 BC

Yǒngshǐ 永始 16 – 13 BC

Yuányán 元延 12 – 9 BC

Suīhé 綏和 8 – 7 BC

Ai Di 哀帝 Liu Xin 劉欣 6 – 1 BCJiànpíng 建平 6 – 3 BC

Yuánshòu 元壽 2 – 1 BC

Ping Di 平帝 Liu Kan 劉衎 1 BC – 5 AD

Yuánshǐ 元始 1 BC – 5 AD

Ruzi Ying 孺子嬰 Liu Ying 劉嬰 6 – 8Jùshè 居攝 6 – Oct.

8

Chūshǐ 初始 Nov. 8 – Dec. 8

Xin Dynasty (AD 9–23)

Xin Dynasty of Wang Mang (王莽) 9 – 23Shǐjiànguó 始建國 9 – 13Tiānfēng 天鳳 14 – 19Dìhuáng 地皇 20 – 23

Continuation of Han DynastyGeng Shi Di 更始帝 Liu Xuan 劉玄 23 – 25 Gēngshǐ 更始 23 – 25

Eastern Han Dynasty 25 – 220Guang Wu Di 光武帝 Liu Xiu 劉秀 25 – 57 Jiànwǔ 建武 25 – 56

Jiànwǔzhōngyuán 建武中元 56 – 57

Ming Di 明帝 Liu Zhuang

劉莊 58 – 75 Yǒngpíng 永平 58 – 75

Zhang Di 章帝 Liu Da 劉炟 76 – 88Jiànchū 建初 76 – 84Yuánhé 元和 84 – 87Zhānghé 章和 87 – 88

He Di 和帝 Liu Zhao 劉肇 89 – 105Yǒngyuán 永元 89 – 105Yuánxīng 元興 105

Shang Di 殤帝 Liu Long 劉隆 106 Yánpíng 延平 9 months in 106

An Di 安帝 Liu Hu 劉祜 106 – 125

Yǒngchū 永初 107 – 113

Yuánchū 元初 114 – 120

Yǒngníng 永寧 120 – 121

Jiànguāng 建光 121 – 122

Yánguāng 延光 122 – 125

Shao Di, the Marquess of

Beixiang

少帝 or 北鄉侯 Liu Yi 劉懿 125 Yánguāng 延光 125

Shun Di 順帝 Liu Bao 劉保 125 – 144

Yǒngjiàn 永建 126 – 132

Yángjiā 陽嘉 132 – 135

Yǒnghé 永和 136 – 141

Hàn'ān 漢安 142 – 144

Jiànkāng 建康 144

Chong Di 沖帝 Liu Bing 劉炳 144 – 145

Yōngxī 永嘉 145

Zhi Di 質帝 Liu Zuan 劉纘 145 – 146

Běnchū 本初 146

Huan Di 桓帝 Liu Zhi 劉志 146 – 168

Jiànhé 建和 147 – 149

Hépíng 和平 150

Yuánjiā 元嘉 151 – 153

Yǒngxīng 永興 153 – 154

Yǒngshòu 永壽 155 –

158

Yánxī 延熹 158 – 167

Yǒngkāng 永康 167

Ling Di 靈帝 Liu Hong

劉宏 168 – 189

Jiànníng 建寧 168 – 172

Xīpíng 熹平 172 – 178

Guānghé 光和 178 – 184

Zhōngpíng 中平 184 – 189

Shao Di, the Prince of

Hongnong

少帝 or 弘農王 Liu Bian 劉辯 189

Guīngxī 光熹 189

Zhàoníng 昭寧 189

Xian Di 獻帝 Liu Xie (liú xié)

劉協 189 – 220

Yǒnghàn 永漢 189

Chūpíng 初平 190 – 193

Xīngpíng 興平 194 – 195

Jiàn'ān 建安 196 – 220

Yánkāng 延康 220

Three Kingdoms Period 三國/三国

Three Kingdoms SovereignsPosthumous Names (Shi

Hao 諡號)Personal Names

Period of Reigns

Era Names (Nian Hao 年號) and their corresponding range of years

Wei(魏) or [Cao Wei(曹魏)] 220–265Convention: "Wei" + posthumous name, sometimes except Cao Pi who was referred using

personal names.Wén Dì 文帝曹丕 Cáo Pī 220–226 Huángchū 黃初 220–226

Míng Dì 明帝曹叡 Cáo Ruì

226–239Tàihé 太和 227–233Qīnglóng 青龍 233–237Jǐngchū 景初 237–239

Qí Wáng 齊王曹芳 Cáo Fāng

239–254Zhèngshǐ 正始 240–249Jiāpíng 嘉平 249–254

Gāoguìxiāng Gōng

高貴鄉公曹髦 Cáo Máo

254–260Zhèngyuán 正元 254–256Gānlù 甘露 256–260

Yuán Dì 元帝曹奐 Cáo Huàn

260–265Jǐngyuán 景元 260–264Xiánxī 咸熙 264–265

Shu(蜀) or Shu Han(蜀漢) 221–263

Convention: use personal nameZhāoliè Dì 昭烈帝劉備 Liú Bèi 221–223 Zhāngwǔ 章武 221–223

Hòuzhǔ 後主劉禪 Liú Shàn

223–263

Jiànxīng 建興 223–237Yánxī 延熙 238–257Jǐngyào 景耀 258–263Yánxīng 炎興 263

Wu( 吳 ) 222–280Convention: use personal name

Dà Dì 大帝孫權 Sūn Quán

222–252

Huángwǔ 黃武 222–229Huánglóng 黃龍 229–231Jiāhé 嘉禾 232–238Chìwū 赤烏 238–251Tàiyuán 太元 251–252Shénfèng 神鳳 252

Kuàijī Wáng 會稽王孫亮 Sūn Liàng

252–258Jiànxīng 建興 252–253Wǔfèng 五鳳 254–256Tàipíng 太平 256–258

Jǐng Dì 景帝孫休 Sūn Xiū

258–264 Yǒngān 永安 258–264

Wūchéng Hóu 烏程侯孫皓 Sūn Hào

264–280

Yuánxīng 元興 264–265Gānlù 甘露 265–266Bǎodǐng 寶鼎 266–269Jiànhéng 建衡 269–271Fènghuáng 鳳凰 272–274Tiāncè 天冊 275–276Tiānxǐ 天璽 276Tiānjì 天紀 277–280

Jin Dynasty 晉/晋

Jin Dynasty (265–420) Sovereigns

Posthumous Names

(Shi Hao 諡號)Personal Names

Periodof

Reigns

Era Names (Nian Hao 年號)and their corresponding range of

yearsConvention: "Jin" + posthumous name

Xi (Western) Jin Dynasty 西晉/西晋 265-317

Wǔ Dì 武帝 Sīmǎ Yán 司馬炎 265-290

Tàishǐ 泰始 265-274Xiánníng 咸寧 275-280Tàikāng 太康 280-289Tàixī 太熙 290

Huì Dì 惠帝 Sīmǎ 司馬衷 290-306 Yǒngxī 永熙 290

Zhōng

Yǒngpīng 永平 291Yuánkāng 元康 291-299Yǒngkāng 永康 300-301Yǒngníng 永寧 301-302Tàiān 太安 302-303Yǒngān 永安 304Jiànwǔ 建武 304Yǒngān 永安 304Yǒngxīng 永興 304-306Guāngxī 光熙 306

Huái Dì 懷帝 Sīmǎ Chì 司馬熾 307-311 Yǒngjiā 永嘉 307-313Mǐn Dì 愍帝 Sīmǎ Yè 司馬鄴 313-317 Jiànxīng 建興 313-317

Dong (Eastern) Jin Dynasty 東晉/东晋 317–420

Yuán Dì 元帝 Sīmǎ Ruì 司馬睿 317-322Jiànwǔ 建武 317-318Dàxīng 大興 318-321Yǒngchāng 永昌 321-322

Míng Dì 明帝 Sīmǎ Shào 司馬紹 322-325Yǒngchāng 永昌 322-323Tàiníng 太寧 323-325

Chéng Dì 成帝 Sīmǎ Yǎn 司馬衍 325-342Tàiníng 太寧 325Xiánhé 咸和 326-334Xiánkāng 咸康 335-342

Kāng Dì 康帝 Sīmǎ Yuè 司馬岳 342-344 Jiànyuán 建元 343-344

Mù Dì 穆帝 Sima Dān 司馬聃 345-361Yǒnghé 永和 345-356Shēngpíng 升平 357-361

Āi Dì 哀帝 Sīmǎ Pī 司馬丕 361-365Lónghé 隆和 362-363Xīngníng 興寧 363-365

Fèi Dì 廢帝 Sīmǎ Yì 司馬奕 365-371 Tàihé 太和 365-371Jiǎnwén Dì簡文帝 Sīmǎ Yù 司馬昱 371-372 Xiánān 咸安 371-372

Xiāowǔ Dì孝武帝 Sīmǎ Yào 司馬曜 372-396Níngkāng 寧康 373-375Tàiyuán 太元 376-396

Ān Dì 安帝 Sīmǎ Dézōng

司馬德宗 396-418Lóngān 隆安 397-401Yuánxīng 元興 402-404Yìxī 義熙 405-418

Gōng Dì 恭帝 Sīmǎ Déwén

司馬德文 419-420 Yuánxī 元熙 419-420

Sixteen Kingdoms Period 十六國/十六国

Sovereigns in the Period of Sixteen KingdomsTemple Names

(Miao Hao

Posthumous Names (Shi Hao 諡號 )

Personal Names Period of Reigns

Era Names (Nian Hao 年號) and their

廟號 miao4 hao4)

corresponding range of years

Convention: use personal nameHan Zhao Empire 漢趙/汉赵 304-329 (addressed separately in traditional texts as Han

Empire 漢/汉 and Former Zhao Empire 前赵)Han Empire 304-318

Gao Zu (高祖 gao1 zu3)

Guang Wen Di (光文帝 guang1 wen2 di4)

Liu Yuan|劉淵 liu2 yuan1

304-310

Jiànxīng (建興) 304-307

Yǒngfèng (永鳳) 308Héruì (河瑞) 309Guāngxīng (光興) 310

Did not exist

Liang Wang (梁王 liang2 wang2)

Liu He|劉和 liu2 he27 days in 310

Guāngxīng (光興) 310 (continuation)

Lie Zong (烈宗 lie4 zong1)

Zhao Wu Di (昭武帝 zhao1 wu3 di4)

Liu Cong|劉聰 liu2 cong1

310-318

Guāngxīng (光興) 310 (continuation)

Jiāpíng (嘉平) 311-315Jiànyuán (建元) 316Línjiā (麟嘉 lin2) 317-318

Did not exist

Yin Di (隱帝 yin3 di4)

Liu Can|劉粲 liu2 can4

a month and days in 318

Hànchāng (漢昌) 318 (until renaming as Former Zhao)

Qian (Former) Zhao Empire 前赵 318-329

Did not exist

Hou Zhu (後主 hou4 zhu3)

Liu Yao|劉曜 liu2 yao4

318-329

Guāngchū (光初) 318-329 (until conquest by Later Zhao)

Hou (Later) Zhao Empire 后赵 319–351


Ming Di (明帝 ming2 di4)

Shi Le|石勒 shi2 le4 319-333

Zhaòwáng (趙王) 319-327

Tàihé (太和) 328-329Jiànpíng (建平) 330-332Yánxī (延熙) 333

Did not exist

Hai Yang Wang (海陽王 hai3 yang2 wang2)

Shi Hong|石弘 shi2 hong2

333-334

Yánxī (延熙) 333 (continuation)

Jiànwǔ (建武) 334

Tai Zu (太祖 tai4 zu3)

Wu Di (武帝 wu3 di4)

Shi Hu|石虎 shi2 hu3 334-349

Jiànwǔ (建武) 334-348

Taìníng (太寧) 349Did not exist

Qiao Wang (譙王 qiao2 wang2)

Shi Shi|石世 shi2 shi473 days in 349

Taìníng (太寧) 349 (continuation)

Did not exist

Pang Cheng Wang (彭城王 pang2 cheng2 wang2)

Shi Zun|石遵 shi2 zun1

183 days in 349

Taìníng (太寧) 349 (continuation)

Did not exist

Yi Yang Wang (義陽王 yi4 yang2 wang2)

Shi Jian|石鑒 shi2 jian4

103 days within 349-350

Qīnglóng (青龍) (changed mid-year)

Did not exist

Xin Xing Wang (新興王 xin1 xing1 wang2)

Shi Zhi|石祗 shi2 zhi1 350-351Yǒngníng (永寧) 350-351 (until Ran Min's coup)

Cheng Han Empire 成漢/成汉 303-347 (addressed separately in traditional texts as Cheng Empire and Han Empire)

Cheng Empire 303-338Shi Zu (始祖 shi3 zu3) or Shi Zu (世祖 shi4 zu3)

Jing Di (景帝 jing3 di4)

Li Te|李特 li3 te4 303Jiànchū (建初) or Jǐngchū (景初) 303

Did not exist

Qin Wen Wang (秦文王 qin2 wen2 wang2)

Li Liu|李流 li3 liu2several months in 303

Jiànchū (建初) or Jǐngchū (景初) 303 (continuation)

Tai Zong (太宗 tai4 zong1)

Wu Di (武帝 wu3 di4)

Li Xiong|李雄 li3 xiong2

303-334

Jiànchū (建初) or Jǐngchū (景初) 303 (continuation)

Jiànxīng (建興) 304-305Yànpīng (晏平) 306-310Yùhéng (玉衡) 311-334

Did not exist

Ai Di (哀帝 ai1 si4) Li Ban|李班 li3 ban17 months in 334

Yùhéng (玉衡) 334 (continuation)

Did not exist

You Gong (幽公 you1 gong1)

Li Qi|李期 li3 qi1 334-338

Yùhéng (玉恆) 334-337 (continuation)

Hànxīng (漢興)Han Empire 338-347

Zhong Zong Zhao Wen Di (昭文 Li Shou|李壽 li3 338-343 Hànxīng (漢興) 338-

(中宗 zhong1 zong1)

帝 zhao1 wen2 di4) shou4 343 (continuation)

Did not exist

Gui Yi Hou (歸義侯　gui1 yi4 hou2)

Li Shi|李勢 li3 shi4 343-347

Hànxīng (漢興) 343 (continuation)

Tàihé (太和) 344-345Jiāníng (嘉寧) 346-347 (until conquest by Jin)

Qian (Former) Yan Empire 前燕 337-370Tai Zu (太祖 tai4 zu3)

Wen Ming Di (文明帝 wen2 ming2 di4)

Murong Huang|慕容皝 mu4 rong2 huang3

337-348Yànwáng (燕王) 337-348


Jing Zhao Di (景昭帝 jing3 zhao1 di4)

Murong Jun|慕容俊 mu4 rong2 jun4

348-360

Yànwáng (燕王) 348 (continuation)

Yànyuán (燕元) 349-351Yuánxǐ (元璽) 352-357Shēngpíng (升平) 357 (as vassal of Jin)Guāngshòu (光壽) 357-359Jiànxī (建熙) 360

Did not exist

You Di (幽帝 you1 di4)

Murong Wei|慕容暐 mu4 rong2 wei3

360-370

Jiànxī (建熙) 360-365 (continuation)

Jiànyuán (建元) 366-370

Hou (Later) Yan Empire 后燕 384-407

Shi Zu (世祖 shi4 zu3)

Wu Cheng Di (武成帝 wu3 cheng2 di4)

Murong Chui|慕容垂 mu4 rong2 chui2

384-396

Yanyuan (燕王 yan4 wang2) 384-385

Jianxing (建興 jian4 xing1) 386-396


Hui Min Di (惠愍帝 hui4 min3 di4)

Murong Bao|慕容寶 mu4 rong2 bao3

396-398Yongkang (永康 yong3 kang1) 396-398

Zhong Zong (中宗 zhong1 zong1)

Zhao Wu Di (昭武帝 zhao1 wu3 di4)

Murong Sheng|慕容盛 mu4 rong2 sheng4

398-401

Jianping (建平 jian4 ping2) 398

Changluo (長樂 chang2 le4) 399-401

Did not exist

Zhao Wen Di (昭文帝 zhao1 wen2 di4)

Murong Xi|慕容熙 mu4 rong2 xi1

401-407

Guangshi (光始 guang1 shi3) 401-406

Jianshi (建始 jian4 shi3) 407

Nan (Southern) Yan Empire 南燕 398-410

Shi Zong (世宗 shi4 zong1)

Xian Wu Di (獻武帝　xian4 wu3 di4)

Murong De|慕容德 mu4 rong2 de2

398-405

Yanwang (燕王 yan4 wang2) 398-400

Jianping (建平 jian4 ping2) 400-405

Did not exist

Hou Zhu (後主 hou4 xhu3)

Murong Chao|慕容超 mu4 rong2 chao1

405-410Taishang (太上 tai4 shang4) 405-410

Bei (Northern) Yan Empire 北燕 407-436

Did not exist

Hui Yi Di (惠懿帝 hui4 yi4 di4)

Gao Yun|高雲 gao1 yun2

407-409Zhengshi (正始 zheng4 shi3) 407-409


Wen Cheng Di (文成帝 wen2 cheng2 di4)

Feng Ba|馮跋 feng2 ba2

409-430Taiping (太平 tai4 ping2) 409-430

Did not exist

Zhao Cheng Di (昭成帝 zhao1 cheng2 di4)

Feng Hong|馮弘 feng2 hong2

430-436Daxing (大興 da4 xing1) 430-436

Qian (Former) Liang Kingdom 前凉 320-376Did not exist

Cheng Gong (成公 cheng2 gong1)

Zhang Mao|張茂 zhang1 mao4

320-324Jianxing (建興 jian4 xing1) 320-324

Did not exist

Zhong Cheng Gong (忠成公 zhong1 cheng2 gong1)

Zhang Jun|張駿 zhang1 jun4


Did not exist

Huan Gong (桓公 huan2 gong1)

Zhang Chonghua|張重華 zhang1 chong2 hua2


Did not exist

Ai Gong (哀公 ai1 gong1)

Zhang Yaoling|張曜靈 zhang1 yao4 ling2

3 months (the ninth to the twelfth month) in 353

Jianxing (建興 jian4 xing1) 353

Did not exist

Wei Wang (威王 wei1 wang2)

Zhang Zuo|張祚 zhang1 zuo4

353-355


Heping (和平 he2 ping2) 354-355

Did not exist

Jing Dao Gong (敬悼公 jing4 dao4 gong1) or Chong Gong (沖公 chong1 gong1)

Zhang Xuanjing|張玄靖 zhang1 xuan2 jing4

355-363


Shengping (升平 sheng1 ping2) 361-363

Did not exist

Dao Gong (悼公 dao4 gong1)

Zhang Tianxi|張天錫 zhang1 tian1 xi2

364-376Shengping (升平 sheng1 ping2) 364-376

Hou (Later) Liang Kingdom 后凉 386–403


Yi Wu Wang (懿武王 yi4 wu3 wang2)

Lü Guang|呂光 uu3 guang1

386-399

Taian (太安 tai4 an1) 386-389

Lunjiā (麟嘉 lun2 jiā) 389-396Longfei (龍飛 long2 fei1) 396-399

Did not exist

Yin Wang (隱王 yin3 wang2)

Lü Shao|呂紹 luu3 shao4

399Longfei (龍飛 long2 fei1) 399

Did not exist

Ling Wang (靈王 ling2 wang2)

Lü Zuan|呂纂 luu3 zuan3

399-401Xianning (咸寧 xian2 ning2) 399-401

Did not exist

Shang Shu Gong (尚書公 shang4 shu1 gong1) or Jiankang Gong (建康公 jian4 kang1 gong1)

Lü Long|呂隆 luu3 long2

401-403Shending (神鼎 shen2 ding3) 401-403

Nan (Southern) Liang Kingdom 南凉 397–414Lie Zu (烈祖 lie4 zu3)

Wu Wang (武王 wu3 wang2)

Tufa Wugu|禿髮烏孤 tu1 fa3 wu1 gu1

397-399Taichu (太初 tai4 chu1) 397-399

Did not exist

Kang Wang (康王 kang1 wang2)

Tufa Lilugu|禿髮利鹿孤 tu1 fa3 li4 lu4 gu1

399-402Jianhe (建和 jian4 he2) 399-402

Did not exist

Jing Wang (景王 jing3 wang2) or Jing Wang (敬王 jing4 wang2)

Tufa Rutan|禿髮傉檀 tu1 fa3 li4 ru4 tan2

402-414

Hongchang (弘昌 hong2 chang1) 402-404

Jiāping (嘉平 ping2) 409-414

Bei (Northern) Liang Kingdom 北凉 397-439 (as Kings of Gao Chang 442-460)

Did not exist

Did not existDuan Ye|段業 duan4 ye4

397-401

Shen Xi (神璽 shen2 xi3) 397-399

Tian Xi (天璽 tian1 xi3) 399-401


Wu Xuan Wang (武宣王 wu3 xuan1 wang2)

Juqu Mengxun|沮渠蒙遜 ju3 qu2 meng2 xun4

401-433

Yongan (永安 yong3 an1) 401-412

Xuanshi (玄始 xuan2 shi3) 412-428Chengxuan (承玄 cheng2 xuan2) 428-430Yihe (義和 yi4 he2) 430-433

Did not exist

Ai Wang (哀王 ai1 wang2)

Juqu Mujian|沮渠牧犍 ju3 qu2 mu4 jian1

433-439Yonghe (永和 yong3 he2) 433-439

Did not exist

Did not existJuqu Wuhui|沮渠無諱　ju3 qu2 wu2 hui4

442-444

Chengping (承平 cheng2 ping2) 442-443

Qianshou (乾壽 qian2 shou4) 443-444

Did not exist

Did not existJuqu Anzhou|沮渠安周 ju3 qu2 an1 zhou1

444-460Chengping (承平 cheng2 ping2) 444-460

Xi (Western) Liang Kingdom 西凉 400-421


Wu Zhao Wang (武昭王 wu3 zhao1 wang2)

Li Gao|李暠 li3 gao3 400-417

Gengzi (庚子 geng1 zi5) 400-405

Jianchu (建初 jian4 chu1) 406-416

Did not exist


Li Xin|李歆 li3 xin1 417-420Jiāxing (嘉興 xing1) 417-420

Did not exist


Li Xun|李恂 li3 xun2 420-421Yongjian (永建 yong3 jian4) 420-421

Qian Former Qin Empire 前秦 351–394Gao Zu (高祖 gao1 zu3)

Jing Ming Di (景明帝 jing3 ming2 di4)

Fu Jian|苻健 fu2 jian4 351-355Huangshi (皇始 huang2 shi3) 351-355

Did not exist

Li Wang (厲王 li4 wang2)

Fu Sheng|苻生 fu2 sheng1

355-357Shouguang (壽光 shou4 guang1) 355-357


Xuan Zhao Di (宣昭帝 xuan1 zhao1 di4)

Fu Jian|苻堅 fu2 jian1 357-385 Yongxing (永興 yong3 xing1) 357-359

Ganlu (甘露 gan1

lu4) 359-364Jianyuan (建元 jian4 yuan2) 365-385

Did not exist

Ai Ping Di (哀平帝 ai1 ping2 di4)

Fu Pi|苻丕 fu2 pi1 385-386Taian (太安 tai4 an1) 385-386


Gao Di (高帝 gao1 di4)

Fu Deng|苻登 fu2 deng1

386-394Taichu (太初 tai4 chu1) 385-394

Did not exist


Fu Chong|苻崇 fu2 chong2

several months in 394

Yanchu (延初 yan2 chu1) 394

Hou (Later) Qin Empire 后秦 384–417


Wu Zhao Di (武昭帝 wu3 zhao1 di4)

Yao Chang|姚萇 yao2 chang2

384-393

Bai Que (白雀 bai2 que4) 384-386

Jianchu (建初 jian4 chu1) 386-393


Wen Huan Di (文桓帝 wen2 huan2 di4)

Yao Xing|姚興 yao2 xing1

394-416

Huangchu (皇初 huang2 chu1) 394-399

Hongshi (弘始 hong2 shi3) 399-416

Did not exist


Yao Hong|姚泓 yao2 hong2

416-417Yonghe (永和 yong3 he2) 416-417

Xi (Western) Qin Kingdom 西秦 385-400,409-431

Lie Zu (烈祖 lie4 zu3)

Xuan Lie Wang (宣烈王 xuan1 lie4 wang2)

Qifu Guoren|乞伏國仁 qi3 fu2 guo2 ren2

385-388Jianyi (建義 jian4 yi4) 385-388


Wu Yuan Wang (武元王 wu3 yuan2 wang2)

Qifu Gangui|乞伏乾歸 qi3 fu2 gan1 gui1

388-400,409-412

Taichu (太初 tai4 chu1) 388-400

Gengshi (更始 geng4 shi3) 409-412


Wen Zhao Wang (文昭王 wen2 zhao1 wang2)

Qifu Chipan|乞伏熾磐 qi3 fu2 chi4 pan2

412-428

Yongkang (永康 yong3 kang1) 412-419

Jianhong (建弘 jian4 hong2) 420-428

Did not exist


Qifu Mumo|乞伏暮末　qi3 fu2 mu4 mo4

428-431Yonghong (永弘 yong3 hong2) 428-431

Xia Empire 夏 407-431


Wu Lie Di (武烈帝 wu3 lie4 di4)

Helian Bobo|赫連勃勃 he4 lian2 bo2 bo2

407-425

Longsheng (龍升 long2 sheng1) 407-413

Fengxiang (鳳翔 feng4 xiang2) 413-418Changwu (昌武 chang1 wu3) 418-419Zhenxing (真興 chen1 xing1) 419-425

Did not exist

Qin Wang (秦王 qin2 wang2)

Helian Chang|赫連昌 he4 lian2 chang1

425-428Chengguang (承光 cheng2 guang1) 425-428

Did not exist

Ping Yuan Wang (平原王 ping2 yuan2 wang2)

Helian Ding|赫連定 he4 lian2 ding4

428-431Shengguang (勝光 sheng4 guang1) 425-428

Sovereignties established by Wu Hu

Sovereignties established by Chinese and Wu Hu but traditionally not counted in the Sixteen Kingdoms

Posthumous Names (Shi Hao

諡號)Personal Names

Period of Reigns



Convention: use personal nameRan Wei Kingdom 冉魏 350-352 (addressed as Wei Kingdom in traditional texts)

Wu Dao Tian Wang (武悼天王 wu3 dao4 tian1 wang2)

Ran Min|冉閔 ran3 min3 350-352Yongxing (永興 yong3 xing1) 350-352

Xi (Western) Yan Empire 西燕 384-394Wei Di (威帝 wei1 di4)

Murong Hong|慕容泓 mu4 rong2 hong2

384Yanxing (燕興 yan4 xing1) 384

Did not existMurong Chong|慕容沖 mu4 rong2 chong1

384-386

Yanxing (燕興 yan4 xing1) 384-385

Gengshi (更始 geng4 shi3) 385-386

Did not exist Duan Sui|段隨 duan4 sui2 386Changping (昌平 chang1 ping2) 386

Did not exist Murong Yi|慕容顗 mu4 rong2 386 Jianming (建明 jian4

yi3 ming2) 386

Did not existMurong Yao|慕容瑤 mu4 rong2 yao2

386Jianping (建平 jian4 ping2) 386

Did not existMurong Zhong|慕容忠 mu4 rong2 zhong1

386Jianwu (建武 jian4 wu3) 386

Did not existMurong Yong|慕容永 mu4 rong2 yong3

386-394Zhongxing (中興 zhong1 xing1) 386-394

Shu Kingdom 蜀 405-413Cheng Du Wang (成都王 cheng2 du1 wang2)

Qiao Zong|譙縱 qiao2 zong4 405-413 Did not exist

Chieftains of Tiefu Tribe 匈奴支系铁弗部首领 (mid-3rd century-391)

Did not exist Liu Qubei|劉去卑 liu2 qu4 bei1mid-3rd century

Did not exist

Did not existLiu Gaoshengyuan|劉誥升爰 liu2 gao4 sheng1 yuan2

mid-3rd century – late 3rd century

Did not exist

Did not exist Liu Hu|劉虎 liu2 hu3early 4th century (309?) – 341

Did not exist

Did not existLiu Wuheng|劉務恒 liu2 wu4 heng2

341-356 Did not exist

Did not existLiu Eloulou|劉閼陋頭 liu2 e4 lou4 tou2


Did not existLiu Xiwuqi|劉悉勿祈 liu2 xi1 wu4 qi2


Did not existLiu Weichen|劉衛辰 liu2 wei4 chen2


Chieftains of Yuwen Tribe 宇文部鮮卑首領 (late-3rd century-345)

Did not existYuwen Mohuai|宇文莫槐 yu3 wen2 mo4 huai2

late 3rd century-293

Did not exist

Did not existYuwen Puhui|宇文普回 yu3 wen2 pu3 hui2 or Yuwen Pu Bo|宇文普撥 yu3 wen2 pu3 bo1

293-late 3rd century

Did not exist

Did not existYuwen Qiubuqin|宇文丘不勤 yu3 wen2 qiu1 bu4 qin2

late 3rd century

Did not exist

Did not existYuwen Mogui|宇文莫圭 yu3 wen2 mo4 gui1

late 3rd century (299?)- early 4th century (302?)

Did not exist

Did not existYuwen Xiduguan|宇文悉獨官 yu3 wen2 xi1 du2 guan1

early 3rd century

Did not exist

Did not exist Yuwen Qidegui|宇文乞得歸 yu3 early 3rd Did not exist

wen2 qi3 de5 gui1 century – 333

Did not existYuwen Yidougui|宇文逸豆歸 yu3 wen2 yi4 dou4 gui1


Dukes of Liaoxi 辽西公 303-338

Did not existDuan Wuwuchen|段務勿塵 duan4 wu4 wu4 chen2

303-310 or 311

Did not exist

Did not existDuan Jilujuan|段疾陸眷 duan4 ji2 lu4 juan4

310 or 311 – 318

Did not exist

Did not existDuan Shefuchen|段涉復辰 duan4 she4 fu4 chen2

318 Did not exist

Did not exist Duan Pidi|段匹磾 duan4 pi3 di1 318-321 Did not exist

Did not existDuan Mopei|段末柸 duan4 mo4 pei1


Did not exist Duan Ya|段牙 duan4 ya2 325 Did not existDid not exist Duan Liao|段遼 duan4 liao2 326-338 Did not existChieftains, Dukes and Kings of Chouchi, Wuxing and Yinping (late 2nd century- mid-

6th century (555?) )First Phase of Chouchi 前仇池 (late 2nd century-371)

Did not exist Yang Teng|楊騰 yang2 teng2late 2nd century- early 3rd century

Did not exist

Did not exist Yang Ju|楊駒 yang2 ju1early 3rd century

Did not exist

Did not existYang Qianwan|楊千萬 yang2 qian1 wan4

early 3rd century – mid-3rd century

Did not exist

Did not existYang Feilong|楊飛龍 yang2 fei1 long2

mid-3rd century – late 3rd century

Did not exist

Did not existYang Maosou|楊茂搜 yang2 mao4 sou1

late 3rd century – 317

Did not exist

Did not existYang Nandi|楊難敵 yang2 nan2 di2


Did not exist Yang Yi|楊毅 yang2 yi4 334-337 Did not existDid not exist Yang Chu|楊初 yang2 chu1 337-355 Did not existDid not exist Yang Guo|楊國 yang2 guo2 355-356 Did not existDid not exist Yang Jun|楊俊 yang2 jun4 356-360 Did not existDid not exist Yang Shi|楊世 yang2 shi4 360-370 Did not existDid not exist Yang Cuan|楊篡 yang2 cuan4 370-371 Did not exist

Second Phase of Chouchi 后仇池 385-473武王 wu3 wang2 Yang Ding|楊定 yang2 ding4 385-394 Did not exist惠文王 hui4 wen2 Yang Sheng|楊盛 yang2 sheng4 394-425 Did not exist

wang2孝昭王 xiao4 zhao1 wang2

Yang Xuan|楊玄 yang2 xuan2 425-429 Did not exist

Did not existYang Baozong|楊保宗 yang2 bao3 zong1

429 and 443 Did not exist

Did not existYang Nandang|楊難當 yang2 nan2 dang1

429-441Jianyi (建義 jian4 yi4) 436-440

Did not existYang Baochi|楊保熾 yang2 bao3 chi4


Did not existYang Wende|楊文德 yang2 wen2 de2


Did not existYang Yuanhe|楊元和 yang2 yuan2 he2


Did not existYang Sengsi|楊僧嗣 yang2 seng1 si4


Kings of Wuxing 武兴王 473-506 and 534-555

Did not existYang Wendu|楊文度 yang2 wen2 du4


Did not existYang Wenhong|楊文弘 yang2 wen2 hong2


Did not existYang Houqi|楊後起 yang2 hou4 qi3


An Wang (安王 an1 wang2)

Yang Jishi|楊集始 yang2 ji2 shi3 482-503 Did not exist

Did not existYang Shaoxian|楊紹先 yang2 shao4 xian1

503-506, 534-535

Did not exist

Did not existYang Zhihui|楊智慧 yang2 zhi4 hui4


Did not existYang Pixie|楊辟邪 yang2 pi4 xie2


Note: Yang Zhi Hui and Yang Bi Xie could be the same personKings of Yinping 陰平王 477- mid-6th century

Did not existYang Guangxiang|楊廣香 yang2 guang3 xiang1

477-483? Did not exist

Did not exist Yang Jiong|楊炯 yang2 jiong3 483-495 Did not exist

Did not existYang Chongzu|楊崇祖 yang2 chong2 zu3

495-before 502

Did not exist

Did not existYang Mengsun|楊孟孫 yang2 meng4 sun1

before 502-511

Did not exist

Did not exist Yang Ding|楊定 yang2 ding4 511- ? Did not existChieftains of Tuoba Tribe 索头部鲜卑族首领 219-377 (as Kings of Dai 代王 305?-377)

As a well known fact, Tuoba Family was the ruling family of Northern Wei Dynasty, founded by Tuoba Gui. Hence Table of Northern Wei Dynasty will start with him, not as a

continuation of this table.Note: All chieftains were revered as emperors in Weishu and Beishi which they never were.

They were denoted here as 王(wang2) which was inherited by all successors of Tuoba Yi Lu.

神元王 shen2 yuan2 wang2

Tuoba Li Wei(拓拔力微 tou4 ba2 li4 wei2)


Note: His temple name was Shi Zu|始祖 shi2 zu3. Another column was not created since only he was the only chieftain before Tuoba Gui revered with a temple name

章王 zhang1 wang2

Tuoba Xi Lu(拓拔悉鹿 tou4 ba2 xi1 lu4)


平王 ping2 wang2Tuoba Chuo(拓拔綽 tou4 ba2 chuo4)


思王 si1 wang2 Tuoba Fu(拓拔弗 tou4 ba2 fu2) 293-294 Did not exist

昭王 zhao1 wang2Tuoba Lu Guan(拓拔祿官 tou4 ba2 lu4 guan1)


穆王 mu4 wang2Tuoba Yi Tuo(拓拔猗 ( 㐌 - 拖 without 手) tou4 ba2 yi1 yi2)


穆王 mu4 wang2Tuoba Yi Lu(拓拔猗盧 tou4 ba2 yi1 lu2)


Did not existTuoba Pu Gen(拓拔普根 tou4 ba2 pu3 gen1)

316 Did not exist

Did not exist 拓拔? tou4 ba2 ? 316 Did not exist平文王 ping2 wen2 wang2

Tuoba Yu Luu(拓拔鬱律 tou4 ba2 yu4 luu4)


惠王 hui4 wang2Tuoba He Ru(拓拔賀傉 tou4 ba2 he4 ru4)


煬王 yang2 wang2Tuoba He Na(拓拔紇那 tou4 ba2 he2 na3)

325-329 and 335-337

Did not exist

烈王 lie4 wang2Tuoba Yi Huai(拓拔翳槐 tou4 ba2 yi4 huai2)

329-335 and 337-338

Did not exist

昭成王 zhao1 cheng2 wang2

Tuoba Shi Yi Jian(拓拔什翼健 tou4 ba2 shi2 yi4 jian4)

338-377Jianguo (建國 jian4 guo2) 338-377

Northern and Southern Dynasties 南北朝

Sovereigns in the Northern and Southern Dynasties Period

Posthumous Names (Shi Hao 諡號)

Personal NamesPeriod of

Reigns

Era Names (Nian Hao 年號) and their corresponding

range of yearsNorthern dynasty 北朝

Bei Northern Wei Dynasty 北魏 386-535Convention: Bei (Northern) Wei + posthumous name

As a well known fact Tuoba family changed their family name to 元(yuan2) during the reign

of Xiao Wen Di in 496 so we will also change from there.

Dao Wu Di (道武帝 daò wǔ dì)

Tuoba Gui (拓拔珪 tuò bá guī)

386-409

Dengguo (登國 dēng guó) 386-396Huangshi (皇始 huáng shǐ) 396-398Tianxing (天興 tiān xīng) 398-404Tianci (天賜 tiān cì) 404-409

Ming Yuan Di (明元帝 míng yuán dì)

Tuoba Si (拓拔嗣　tuò bá sì)

409-423

Yongxing (永興 yǒng xīng) 409-413Shenrui (神瑞 shén ruì) 414-416Taichang (泰常 tài cháng) 416-423

Tai Wu Di (太武帝 tài wǔ dì)Tuoba Tao (拓拔燾 tuò bá táo)

424-452

Shiguang (始光 shǐ guāng) 424-428Shenjia (神䴥 shén jiā) 428-431Yanhe (延和 yán hé) 432-434Taiyan (太延 tài yán) 435-440Taipingzhenjun (太平真君 tài píng zhēn jūn) 440-451Zhengping (正平 zhèng píng) 451-452

Nan An Wang (南安王 nán ān wáng)

Tuoba Yu (拓拔余 tuò bá yú)

452Chengping (承平 chéng píng) 452

Wen Cheng Di (文成帝 wén chéng dì)

Tuoba Jun (拓拔濬 tuò bá jùn)

452-465

Xingan (興安 xīng ān) 452-454Xingguang (興光 xīng guāng) 454-455Tai'an (太安 tài ān) 455-459Heping (和平 hé píng) 460-465

Xian Wen Di (獻文帝 xiàn wén dì)

Tuoba Hong (拓拔弘 tuò bá hóng)

466-471Tian'an (天安 tiān ān) 466-467Huangxing (皇興 huáng xīng) 467-471

Xiao Wen Di (孝文帝 xiào wén dì)

Yuan Hong (元宏　yuán hóng)

471-499

Yanxing (延興 yán xīng) 471-476Chengming (承明 chéng míng) 476Taihe (太和 tìi hé) 477-499

Xuan Wu Di (宣武帝 xuān wǔ dì)

Yuan Ke (元恪 yuán kè)

499-515 Jingming (景明 jǐng míng) 500-503Zhengshi (正始 zhèng shǐ) 504-508

Yongping (永平 yǒng píng) 508-512Yanchang (延昌 yán chāng) 512-515

Xiao Ming Di (孝明帝 xiào míng dì)

Yuan Xu (元詡 yuán xǔ)

516-528

Xiping (熙平 xī píng) 516-518Shengui (神龜 shén guī) 518-520Zhengguang (正光 zhèng guāng) 520-525Xiaochang (孝昌 xiào chāng) 525-527Wutai (武泰 wǔ tài) 528

Youzhu (幼主 yòu zhǔ)Yuan Zhao (元釗 yuán xhāo)

528 None

Xiao Zhuang Di (孝莊帝 xiào zhuāng dì)

Yuan Ziyou (元子攸 yuán zǐ yōu)

528-530Jianyi (建義 jiàn yì) 528Yongan (永安 yǒng ān) 528-530

Chang Guang Wang (長廣王 cháng guǎng wáng)

Yuan Ye (元曄 yuán yè)

530-531Jianming (建明 jiàn míng) 530-531

Jie Min Di (節閔帝 jié mǐn dì)Yuan Gong (元恭　yuán gōng)

531-532 Putai (普泰 pǔ tài) 531-532

An Ding Wang (安定王 ān dìng wáng)

Yuan Lang (元朗 yuán lǎng)

531-532Zhongxing (中興 zhōng xīng) 531-532

Xiao Wu Di (孝武帝 xiào wǔ dì) orChu Di (出帝 chū dì)

Yuan Xiu (元脩 yuán xiū)

532-535

Taichang (太昌 tài chāng) 532Yongxing (永興 yǒng xīng) 532Yongxi (永熙 yǒng3 xī) 532-535

Dong (Eastern) Wei Dynasty 东魏 534-550Convention: Dong (Eastern) Wei + posthumous name

Xiao Jing Di (孝靜帝 xiào jìng dì)

Yuan Shanjian (元善見 yuán shàn jiàn)

534-550

Tianping (天平 tiān píng) 534-537Yuanxiang (元象 yuán xiàng) 538-539Xinghe (興和 xīng hé) 539-542Wuding (武定 wǔ dìng) 543-550

Bei (Northern) Qi Dynasty 北齐 550-577Convention: Bei (Northern) Qi + posthumous name

Wen Xuan Di (文宣帝 wén xuān dì)

Gao Yang (高洋 gāo yáng)

550-559Tianbao (天保 tiān bǎo) 550-559

Fei Di (廢帝 fèi dì)Gao Yin (高殷 gāo yīn)

559-560Qianming (乾明 qián míng) 560

Xiao Zhao Di (孝昭帝 xiào zhāo dì)

Gao Yan (高演 gāo yǎn)

560-561Huangjian (皇建 huáng jiàn) 560-561

Wu Cheng Di (武成帝 wǔ chéng dì)

Gao Dan (高湛 gāo dān)

561-565

Taining (太寧 tài níng) 561-562Heqing (河清 hé qīng) 562-565

Hou Zhu (後主 hòu zhǔ)Gao Wei (高緯 gāo wěi)

565-577

Tiantong (天統 tiān tǒng) 565-569Wuping (武平 wǔ píng) 570-576Longhua (隆化 lóng huà) 576

You Zhu (幼主 yòu zhǔ)Gao Heng (高恆 gāo héng)

577Chengguang (承光 chéng guāng) 577

Fan Yang Wang (范陽王 fàn yáng wáng)

Gao Shaoyi (高紹義 gāo shào yì)

577-579? Did not exist

Xi (Western) Wei Dynasty 西魏 535-556Convention: Xi (Western) Wei + posthumous name

Wen Di (文帝 wén dì)Yuan Baoju (元寶炬 yuán bǎo jù)

535-551Datong (大統 dà tǒng) 535-551

Fei Di (廢帝 fèi dì)Yuan Qin (元欽 yuán qīn)


Gong Di (恭帝 gōng dì)Tuoba Kuo (拓拔廓 tuò bá kuò)


Bei (Northern) Zhou Dynasty 北周 557-581Convention: Bei (Northern) Zhou + posthumous name

Xiao Min Di (孝閔帝 xiào mǐn dì)

Yuwen Jue (宇文覺 yǔ wén jué)

557 Did not exist

Ming Di (明帝 míng dì) or Xiao Ming Di (孝明帝 xiào míng dì)

Yuwen Yu (宇文毓 yǔ wén yù)

557-560Wucheng (武成 wǔ chéng) 559-560

Wu Di (武帝 wǔ dì)Yuwen Yong (宇文邕 yǔ wén yōng)

561-578

Baoding (保定 bǎo dìng) 560-565Tianhe (天和 tiān hé) 566-572Jiande (建德 jiàn dé) 572-578Xuanzheng (宣政 xuān zhèng) 578

Xuan Di (宣帝 xuān dì)Yuwen Yun (宇文贇 yǔ wén yūn)

578-579 Dacheng (大成 dà chéng) 579

Jing Di (靜帝 jìng dì)Yuwen Chan (宇文闡 yǔ wén chǎn)

579-581Daxiang (大象 dà xiàng) 579-581Dading (大定 dà dìng) 581

Southern dynasty 南朝 420-589Song Dynasty 刘宋 (420-479)

Convention: Song + posthumous name, sometimes except Liu Yu who was referred using

personal name.

Wu Di (武帝 wǔ dì)Liu Yu (劉裕 liú yù)

420-422Yongchu (永初 yǒng chū) 420-422

Shao Di (少帝 shào dì)Liu Yifu (劉義符 liú yì fú)

423-424Jingping (景平 jǐng píng) 423-424

Wen Di (文帝 wén dì)Liu Yilong (劉義隆 liú yì lóng)

424-453Yuanjia (元嘉 yuán jiā) 424-453

Xiaowu (孝武帝 xiaò wǔ dì)Liu Jun (劉駿 liú jùn)

454-464

Xiaojian (元嘉 xiaō jiàn 454-456

Daming (大明 dà míng) 457-464

Qian Fei Di (前廢帝 qián feì dì)

Liu Ziye (劉子業 liú zǐ yè)

465

Yongguang (永光 yǒng guāng) 465

Jinghe (景和 jǐng hé) 465

Ming Di (明帝 míng dì)Liu Yu (劉彧 liú yù)

465-472Taishi (泰始 taì shǐ) 465-471

Taiyu (泰豫 taì yù) 472Houfei Di (後廢帝 hoù feì dì) or Cangwu Wang (蒼梧王 cāng wú wáng)

Liu Yu (劉昱 liú yù)

473-477Yuanhui (元徽 yuán huī) 473-477

Shun Di (順帝 shùn dì)Liu Zhun (劉準 liú zhǔn)

477-479Shengming (昇明 shēng míng) 477-479

Qi Dynasty 齐 479-502Convention: Qi + posthumous name

Emperor Gao of Southern Qi (Gao Di 高帝 gāo dì)

Xiao Daocheng (蕭道成 xiāo dào chēng

479-482Jianyuan (建元 jiàn yuán) 479-482

Emperor Wu of Southern Qi (Wu Di 武帝 wǔ dì)

Xiao Ze (蕭賾 xiāo zé)

482-493Yongming (永明 yǒng míng) 483-493

Prince of Yulin (Yu Lin Wang 鬱林王 yù lín wáng)

Xiao Zhaoye (蕭昭業 xiāo zhāo yè)

493-494Longchang (隆昌 lóng chāng) 494

Prince of Hailing (Hai Ling Wang (海陵王 hài líng wáng)

Xiao Zhaowen (蕭昭文 xiāo zhāo wén)

494 Yanxing (延興 yán xīng) 494

Emperor Ming of Southern Qi - Ming Di

(明帝 míng dì)

Xiao Luan (蕭鸞 xiāo luán)

494-498Jianwu (建武 jiàn wǔ) 494-498Yongtai (永泰 yǒng tài) 498

Marquess of Donghun - Dong Hun Hou

(東昏侯 dōng hūn hóu)

Xiao Baojuan (蕭寶卷 xiāo bǎo juǎn)

499-501Yongyuan (永元 yǒng yuán) 499-501

Emperor He of Southern Qi - Xiao Baorong (蕭 501-502 Zhongxing (中興 zhōng xīng)

He Di (和帝 hé dì)

寶融 xiāo bào róng)

501-502

Liang Dynasty 梁 (502-557)Convention: Liang + posthumous name

Emperor Wu of Liang - Wu Di (武帝 Wǔ Dì)

Xiao Yan (蕭衍 Xiāo Yǎn)

502-549

Tianjian (天監 tiān-jiān) 502-519Putong (普通 pǔ-tōng) 520-527Datong (大通 dà-tōng) 527-529Zhongdatong (中大通 zhōng-dà-tōng) 529-534Datong (大同 dà-tóng) 535-546Zhongdatong (中大同 zhōng-dà-tóng) 546-547Taiqing (太清 tài-qīng) 547-549

Emperor Jianwen of Liang - Jianwen Di

(簡文帝 jiān wén dì)

Xiao Gang (蕭綱 xiāo gāng)

549-551 Dabao (大寶 dà bǎo) 550-551

Prince of Yuzhang - Yu Zhang Wang

(豫章王 yù zhāng wáng)

蕭棟　　　　xiāo dòng　　 551-552Tianzheng (天正 tiān zhèng) 551-552

Emperor Yuan of Liang - Yuan Di

(元帝 yuán dì)蕭繹 xiāo yì 552-555

Chengsheng (承聖 chéng shèng) 552-555

Marquess of Zhenyang - Zhen Yang Hou

(貞陽侯 zhēn yáng hóu)

蕭淵明　　　　xiāo yuān　　 míng

555Tiancheng (天成 tiān chéng) 555

Emperor Jing of Liang - Jing Di

(敬帝 jìng dì)

蕭方智 xiāo fāng zhì

555-557

Shaotai (紹泰 shào tài) 555-556Taiping (太平 tài píng) 556-557

Chen Dynasty 陈 557-589Convention: Chen + posthumous name

Emperor Wu of Chen - Wu Di (武帝 wǔ dì)

Chen Baxian (陳霸先 chén bà xiān)

557-559Yongding (永定 yǒng dìng) 557-559

Emperor Wen of Chen - Wen Di (文帝 wén dì)

Chen Qian (陳蒨 chén qiàn)

559-566Tianjia (天嘉 tiān jiā) 560-566Tiankang (天康 tiān kāng) 566

Emperor Fei of Chen - Fei Di (廢帝 fèi dì)

Chen Bozong (陳伯宗 chén bó

566-568 Guangda (光大 guāng dà) 566-568

zōng)Emperor Xuan of Chen - Xuan Di (宣帝 xuān dì)

Chen Xu (陳頊 chén xū)

569-582 Taijian (太建 tài jiàn) 569-582

Houzhu (後主 hòu zhǔ)Chen Shubao (陳叔寶 chén shú bǎo)

583-589Zhide (至德 zhì dé) 583-586Zhenming (禎明 zhēn míng) 587-589

Nan (Southern) Liang Dynasty 南梁 555-587Temple Names (

Miao Hao 廟號 )

Posthumous Names ( Shi Hao 諡號 )

Personal Names

Period of Reigns



Convention: Nan (Southern) Liang + posthumous nameNote: some historians set Nan Liang as a continuation of the Liang Dynasty since it was

founded by descendants of the Xiao's, the ruling family of the Liang Dynasty.Zhong Zong (中宗 zhōng zōng)

Xuan Di (宣帝 xuān dì)Xiao Cha (蕭詧 xiāo chá)

555-562Dading (大定 dà dìng) 555-562

Shi Zong (世宗 shì zōng)

Xiao Ming Di (孝明帝 xiào míng dì)

Xiao Kui (蕭巋 xiāo kuī)

562-585Tianbao (天保 tiān bǎo) 562-585

Did not existXiao Jing Di (孝靖帝 xiào jìng dì) or Ju Gong (莒公 jǔ gōng)

Xiao Cong (蕭琮 xiāo cóng)

585-587Guangyun (廣運 guǎng yùn) 562-585

Sui Dynasty 隋

Sui Dynasty 隋 581-618Posthumous Names (

Shi Hao 諡號 )Personal Names

Period of Reigns

Era Names (Nian Hao 年號)

Range of years

Convention: "Sui" + posthumous name

Wén Dì 文帝楊堅 Yáng Jiān 581-604Kāihuáng 開皇 581-600Rénshòu 仁壽 601-604

Yáng Dì 煬帝楊廣 Yáng Guǎng

605-617 Dàyè 大業 605-617

Gōng Dì 恭帝楊侑 Yáng Yòu 617-618 Yìníng 義寧 617-618none awarded 楊浩 Yáng Hào 618

Gōng Dì 恭帝楊侗 Yáng Tóng

618-619 Huángtài 皇泰 618-619

1 Declared emperor by Li Yuan (the later Emperor Gaozu of Tang), implying a retirement for Emperor Yang (whom he "honoured" as Taishang Huang, or retired emperor) at the western capital Daxing (Chang'an), but only the commanderies under Li's control recognized this change; for the other commanderies under Sui control, Emperor Yang was still regarded as emperor, not as retired emperor. Now generally regarded as a legitimate emperor, due to his recognition by Li Yuan.2 After news of Emperor Yang's death in 618 reached Daxing and the eastern capital Luoyang, Li Yuan deposed Emperor Gong and took the throne himself, establishing Tang Dynasty, but the Sui officials at Luoyang declared Emperor Gong's brother Yang Tong (later also known as Emperor Gong) emperor. The

legitimacy of his reign is disputed.3 Declared emperor by Yuwen Huaji, the general under whose leadership the plot to kill Emperor Yang was carried out, but killed by him later in 618; Yuwen Huaji then declared himself emperor of a brief Xu (許) state. As Yang Hao was completely under Yuwen's control and only "reigned" briefly, he is not usually regarded as a legitimate emperor.

Tang Dynasty 唐

Main article: List of Tang Emperors

Tang Dynasty 唐 618-690, 705-907

Temple Names ( Miao Hao 廟;號 )

Personal NamesPeriod of

Reigns

Era Names (Nian Hao 年號) and their corresponding range

of years

Convention: "Tang" + temple name

Gao Zu (Kao-Tsu) (高祖　gao1 zu3)

李淵 li3 yuan1 618-626 Wude (武德 wu3 de2) 618-626

Tai Zong (Tai-Tsung) (太宗 tai4 zong1)

李世民 li3 shi4 min2 627-649Zhenguan (貞觀 zhen1 guan1) 627-649

Gao Zong (Kao-Tsung) (高宗 gao1 zong1)

李治 li3 zhi4 650-683 Yonghui (永徽 yong3 hui1) 650-655

Xianqing (顯慶 xian3 qing4) 656-661Longshuo (龍朔 long2 shuo4) 661-663Linde (麟德 lin2 de2) 664-665Qianfeng (乾封 qian2 feng1) 666-668Zongzhang (總章 zong3 zhang1) 668-670Xianheng (咸亨 xian2 heng1) 670-674Shangyuan (上元 shang4 yuan2) 674-676Yifeng (儀鳳 yi2 feng4) 676-679Tiaolu (調露 tiao2 lu4) 679-680Yonglong (永隆 yong3 long2) 680-681Kaiyao (開耀 kai1 yao4) 681-682Yongchun (永淳 yong3 chun2) 682-683Hongdao (弘道 hong2 dao4)

683

Zhong Zong (Chung-Tsung) (中宗 zhong1 zong1)

Li Xian (李顯 Lǐ Xiǎn) or Li Zhe (李哲　Lǐ Zhé)

684, 705-710

Sisheng (嗣聖 si4 sheng4) 684

Shenlong (神龍 shen2 long2) 705-707Jinglong (景龍 jing3 long2) 707-710

Rui Zong (Jui-Tsung) (睿宗 rui4 zong1)

李旦 li3 dan4684-690, 710-712

Wenming (文明 wen2 ming2) 684-690

Jingyun (景雲 jing3 yun2) 710-711Taiji (太極 tai4 ji2) 712Yanhe (延和 yan2 he2) 712

Zhou Dynasty (690–705) 周

Convention: family name + posthumous name

Wu Zetian (武則天 wu3 ze2 tian1) (no official temple name)

Wǔ Zhào(武曌) 690-705

Tianshou (天授 tian1 shou4) 690-692

Ruyi (如意 ru2 yi4) 692Changshou (長壽 chang2 shou4) 692-694Yanzai (延載 yan2 zai4) 694Zhengsheng (證聖 zheng4 sheng4) 695Tiancewansui (天冊萬歲 tian1 ce4 wan4 sui4) 695-696Wansuidengfeng (萬歲登封 wan4 sui4 deng1 feng1) 696Wansuitongtian (萬歲通天 wan4 sui4 tong1 tian1) 696-697Shengong (神功 shen2 gong1) 697Shengli (聖曆 sheng4 li4) 698-700Jiushi (久視 jiu3 shi4) 700Daju (大足 da4 ju2) 701Changan (長安 chang2 an1) 701-705

Continuation of Tang Dynasty 唐

Shang Di (殤帝 shang1 di4)1

李重茂 li3 chong2 mao4

710Tanglong (唐隆 tang2 long2) 710

Xuan Zong (玄宗 xuan2 zong1)

李隆基 li3 long2 ji1 712-756

Xiantian (先天 xian1 tian1) 712-713

Kaiyuan (開元 kai1 yuan2) 713-741Tianbao (天寶 tian1 bao3) 742-756

Su Zong (肅宗 su4 zong1)

李亨 li3 heng1 756-762

Jide (至德 zhi4 de2) 756-758

Qianyuan (乾元 qian2 yuan2) 758-760Shangyuan (上元 shang4 yuan2) 760-761

Dai Zong (代宗 dai4 zong1)

李豫 li3 yu4 762-779

Baoying (寶應 bao3 ying4) 762-763

Guangde (廣德 guang3 de2) 763-764Yongtai (永泰 yong3 tai4) 765-766Dali (大曆 da4 li4) 766-779

De Zong (德宗 de2 zong1)

李适 li3 gua1 780-805

Jianzhong (建中 1jian4 zhong1) 780-783

Xingyuan (興元 xing1 yuan2) 784Zhenyuan (貞元 zhen1 yuan2) 785-805

Shun Zong (順宗 shun4 zong1)

李誦 li3 song4 805Yongzhen (永貞 yong3 zhen1) 805

Xian Zong (憲宗 xian4 zong1)

李純 li3 chun2 806-820Yuanhe (元和 yuan2 he2) 806-820

Mu Zong (穆宗 mu4 zong1)

李恆 li3 heng2 821-824Changqing (長慶 chang2 qing4) 821-824

Jing Zong (敬宗 jing4 zong1)

李湛 li3 zhan4 824-826 Baoli (寶曆 bao3 li4) 824-826

Wen Zong (文宗 wen2 zong1)

李昂 li3 ang2 826-840

Baoli (寶曆 bao3 li4) 826

Dahe (大和 da4 he2) or Taihe (tai4 he2 太和) 827-835Kaicheng (開成 kai1 cheng2) 836-840

Wu Zong (武宗 wu3 zong1)

李炎 li3 yan2 840-846Huichang (會昌 hui4 chang1) 841-846

Xuan Zong (宣宗 xuan1 zong1)

李忱 li3 chen2 846-859Dachong (大中 da4 chong1) 847-859

Yi Zong (懿宗 yi4 zong1)

李漼 li3 cui3 859-873

Dachong (大中 da4 chong1) 859

Xiantong (咸通 xian2 tong1) 860-873

Xi Zong (僖宗 xi1 zong1)

李儇 li3 xuan1 873-888

Xiantong (咸通 xian2 tong1) 873-874

Ch'ien Fu (乾符 qian2 fu2) 874-879Guangming (廣明 guang3 ming2) 880-881Zhonghe (中和 zhong1 he2) 881-885Guangqi (光啟 guang1 qi3) 885-888Wende (文德 wen2 de2) 888

Zhao Zong (昭宗 zhao1 zong1)

李曄 li3 ye4 888-904

Longji (龍紀 long2 ji4) 889

Dashun (大順 da4 shun4) 890-891Jingfu (景福 jing3 fu2) 892-893Qianning (乾寧 qian2 ning2) 894-898Guanghua (光化 guang1 hua4) 898-901Tianfu (天復 tian1 fu4) 901-904Tianyou (天佑 tian1 you4) 904

Ai Di (哀帝 ai1 di4)1

or Zhao Xuan Di(昭宣帝 zhao1 xuan1 di4)1

李柷 li3 zhu4 904-907Tianyou (天佑 tian1 you4) 904-907

1 Shao Di (少帝 shao4 di4), Ai Di (哀帝 ai1 di4) and Zhao Xuan Di (昭宣帝 zhao1 xuan1 di4) are posthumous names, not temple names. A new column for only three commonly used posthumous names was not be created since other Tang emperors are commonly referred using temple names.

Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms 五代十国

Sovereigns in Period of Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms 五代十国 907-960

Temple Names ( Miao Hao 廟號

miao4 hao4)

Posthumous Names ( Shi Hao

諡號 )Personal Names

Period of

Reigns

Era Names (Nian Hao 年號) and their corresponding range

of yearsthe Five Dynasties 五代

Convention: name of dynasty + temple name or posthumous nameHou (Later) Liang Dynasty 后梁 907-923

Taìzǔ (太祖) Xiànwǔ (獻武) Zhū Wēn ( 朱溫 ) 907-912

Kaīpíng (开平) 907-911Qiánhuà (乾化) 911-912

Zhu Yougui 朱友珪 912-913Qiánhuà (乾化) 912-913Fengli 913

Did not exist Mòdì (末帝) Zhū Zhèn ( 朱瑱 ) 913-923

Qiánhuà (乾化) 913-915Zhēnmíng (贞明) 915-921Lóngdé (龙德) 921-923

Hou (Later) Tang Dynasty 后唐 923-936

Zhuang Zong (莊宗 Zhuāngzōng)

Not used when referring to this sovereign

Lǐ Cúnxù ( 李存勗 ) 923-926Tongguang (同光 Tóngguāng) 923-926

Ming Zong (明宗Míng zōng)


Lǐ Sìyuán ( 李嗣源 ) or Lǐ Dǎn ( 李亶 )

926-933

Tiancheng (天成 Tiān chéng) 926-930

Changxing (長興 Cháng xīng) 930-933

Did not existMin Di (閔帝 Mǐndì)

Lǐ Cónghòu ( 李從厚 ) 933-934Yingshun (應順 Yìngshùn) 913-915

Did not existMo Di (末帝 Mò dì)

Lǐ Cóngkē ( 李從珂 ) 934-936Qingtai (清泰 Qīngtaì) 934-936

Hou (Later) Jin Dynasty 后晋 936-947



Shi Jingtang (石敬瑭　shi4 jing4 tang2)

936-942Tianfu (天福 tian1 fu2) 936-942

Did not existChu Di (出帝 chu1 di4)

Shi Chonggui (石重貴 shi4 chong2 gui4)

942-947

Tianfu (天福 tian1 fu2) 942-944

Kaiyun (開運 kai1 yun4) 944-947

Hou (Later) Han Dynasty 后汉 947-950



Liu Zhiyuan (劉知遠　liu3 zhi1 yuan3)

947-948

Tianfu (天福 tian1 fu2) 947

Qianyou (乾祐 qian2 you4) 948

Did not exist Yin Di (隱帝 yin3 Liu Chengyou (劉承 948-950 Qianyou (乾祐 qian2

di4) 祐 liu3 cheng2 you4) you4) 948-950Hou (Later) Zhou Dynasty 后周 951-960



Guo Wei (郭威 guo1 wei1)

951-954

Guangshun (廣順 guang3 shun4) 951-954

Xiande (顯德 xian3 de2) 954



Chai Rong (柴榮 chai2 rong2)

954-959Xiande (顯德 xian3 de2) 954-959

Did not existGong Di (恭帝 gong1 di4)

Chai Zongxun (柴宗訓 chai2 zong1 xun4)

959-960Xiande (顯德 xian3 de2) 959-960

the Ten Kingdoms 十国Convention: use personal names, noticed otherwise

Wu Yue Kingdom 吴越 904-978

太祖 tai4 zu3武肅王 wu3 su4 wang2

Qian Liu|錢鏐 qian2 liu2

904-932

Tianbao (天寶 tian1 bao3) 908-923

Baoda (寶大 bao3 da4) 923-925Baozheng (寶正 bao3 zheng4) 925-932


文穆王 wen2 mu4 wang2

Qian Yuanguan|錢元瓘 qian2 yuan2 guan4


Cheng Zong 成宗　cheng2 zong1)

忠獻王 zhong1 xian4 wang2

Qian Zuo|錢佐 qian2 zuo3


Did not exist忠遜王 zhong1 xun4 wang2

Qian Zong|錢倧 qian2 zong1

947 Did not exist

Did not exist忠懿王 zhong1 yi4 wang2

Qian Chu|錢俶 qian2 chu4


Min Kingdom 闽 909-945 including Yin Kingdom 殷 943-945

太祖 tai4 zu3忠懿王 zhong1 yi4 wang2

Wang Shenzhi|王審知 wang2 shen3 zhi1


Did not exist Did not existWang Yanhan|王延翰 wang2 yan2 han4



Hui Di (惠帝 hui4 di4)

Wang Yanjun|王延鈞 wang2 yan2 jun1

926-935

Longqi (龍啟 long2 qi3) 933-935

Yonghe (永和 yong3 he2) 935

Kang Zong (康宗 kang1 zong1)

Not used when referring to this

Wang Jipeng|王繼鵬 wang2 ji4 peng2

935-939 Tongwen (通文 tong1 wen2) 936-939

sovereign

Jing Zong (景宗 jing3 zong1)


Wang Yanxi|王延羲 wang2 yan2 xi1

939-944Yonglong (永隆 yong3 long2) 939-944

Did not exist

Tian De Di (天德帝 tian1 de2 di4) (as Emperor of Yin)

Wang Yanzheng|王延政 wang2 yan2 zheng4

943-945Tiande (天德 tian1 de2) 943-945

Jing Nan 荆南 or Nan Ping Kingdom 南平 906-963

Did not exist武信王 wu3 xin4 wang2

Gao Jixing|高季興 gao1 ji4 xing1


Did not exist文獻王 wen2 xin4 wang2

Gao Conghui|高從誨　gao1 cong2 hui4


Did not exist 貞懿王 yi4 wang2Gao Baorong|高寶融　gao1 bao3 rong2


Did not exist 侍中 shi4 zhong1Gao Baoxu|高寶勗 gao1 bao3 xu4


Did not exist Did not existGao Jichong|高繼沖 gao1 ji4 chong1


Chu Kingdom 楚 897-951

Did not exist武穆王 wu3 mo4 wang2

Ma Yin|馬殷 ma3 yin1


Did not exist衡陽王 heng2 yang2 wang2

Ma Xisheng|馬希聲 ma3 xi1 sheng1


Did not exist文昭王 wen2 zhao1 wang2

Ma Xifan|馬希範 ma3 xi1 fan4


Did not exist 廢王 fei4 wang2Ma Xiguang|馬希廣 ma3 xi1 guang3


Did not exist恭孝王 gong1 xiao4 wang2

Ma Xi E|馬希萼 ma3 xi1 e4

950 Did not exist

Did not exist Did not existMa Xichong|馬希崇 ma3 xi1 chong2


Wu Kingdom 吴 904-937

太祖 tai4 zu3孝武帝 xiao4 wu3 di4

Yang Xingmi|楊行密　yang2 xing2 mi4

904-905Tianyou (天祐 tian1 you4) 904-905

烈宗 lie4 zong1 景帝 jing3 di4Yang Wo|楊渥 yang2 wo4

905-908Tianyou (天祐 tian1 you4) 905-908

高祖 gao1 zu3 宣帝 xuan1 di4Yang Longyan|楊隆演 yang2 long2 yan3

908-921

Tianyou (天祐 tian1 you4) 908-919

Wuyi (武義 wu3 yi4) 919-921

Did not exist 睿帝 rui4 di4 Yang Pu|楊溥 yang2 pu3

921-937 Shunyi (順義 shun4 yi4) 921-927

Qianzhen (乾貞 qian2 zhen1) 927-929Dahe (大和 da4 he2) 929-935Tianzuo (天祚 tian1 zuo4) 935-937

Nan (Southern) Tang Kingdom 南唐 937-975Convention for this kingdom only : Nan (Southern) Tang + posthumous names. Hou Zhu

was referred to as Li Hou Zhu|李後主 li3 hou4 zhu3.先主 xian1 zhu3 or Lie Zu|烈祖 lie4 zu3


Li Bian|李 (曰 on top of 弁) li3 bian4

937-943Shengyuan (昇元 sheng1 yuan2) 937-943

中主 zhong1 zhu3 or Yuan Zong|元宗 yuan2 zong1


Li Jing|李璟 li3 jing3 943-961

Baoda (保大 bao3 da4) 943-958

Jiaotai (交泰 jiao1 tai4) 958Zhongxing (中興 zhong1 xing1) 958

Hou Zhu|後主 hou4 zhu3

武王 wu3 wang2 李煜 li3 yu4 961-975 Did not exist

Nan (Southern) Han Kingdom 南汉 917-971

高祖 gao1 zu3天皇大帝 tian1 huang2 da4 di4

Liú Yán|劉巖orLiú Yǎn|劉龑

917-925

Qiánhēng (乾亨) 917-925

Báilóng (白龍) 925-928Dàyǒu (大有) 928-941

Did not exist 殤帝 shang1 di4 Liú Fēn|劉玢 941-943Guāngtiān (光天) 941-943

中宗 zhong1 zong1


Liú Shèng|劉晟 943-958

Yìngqián (應乾) 943

Qiánhé (乾和) 943-958

後主 hou4 zhu3 Did not exist Liú Chǎng|劉鋹 958-971Dàbbǎo (大寶) 958-971

Bei (Northern) Han Kingdom 北汉 951-979

世祖 shi4 zu3神武帝 shen2 wu3 di4

Liu Min|劉旻 liu3 min2

951-954Qianyou (乾祐 qian2 you4) 951-954

睿宗 rui4 zong1 孝和帝 xiao4 he2 di4

Liu Chengjun|劉承鈞　liu3 cheng2 jun1

954-970 Qianyou (乾祐 qian2 you4) 954-957

Tianhui (天會 tian1

hui4) 957-970

少主 shao4 zhu3 Did not existLiu Jien|劉繼恩 liu3 ji4 en1

970 Did not exist

Did not exist英武帝 ying1 wu3 di4

Liu Jiyuan|劉繼元 liu3 ji4 yuan2

970-982Guangyun (廣運 guang3 yun4) 970-982

Qian (Former) Shu Kingdom 前蜀 907–925

高祖 gao1 zu3Not used when referring to this sovereign

Wang Jian|王建 wang2 jian4

907-918

Tianfu (天復 tian1 fu4) 907

Wucheng (武成 wu3 cheng22) 908-910Yongping (永平 yong3 ping2) 911-915Tongzheng (通正 tong1 zheng4) 916Tianhan (天漢 tian1 han4) 917Guangtian (光天 guang1 tian1) 918

後主 hou4 zhu3 Did not existWang Yan|王衍 wang2 yan3

918-925

Qiande (乾德 qian2 de2) 918-925

Xiankang (咸康 xian2 kang1) 925

Hou (Later) Shu Kingdom 后蜀 934–965

高祖 gao1 zu3Not used when referring to this sovereign

Meng Zhixiang|孟知祥 meng4 zhi1 xiang2

934Mingde (明德 ming2 de2) 934

後主 hou4 zhu3 Did not existMeng Chang|孟昶 meng4 chang3

938-965

Mingde (明德 ming2 de2) 934-938

Guangzheng (廣政 guang3 zheng4) 938-965

Independent Regimes during Ten Kingdoms

local independent regimes during Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms Period but traditionally not counted in the Ten Kingdoms

Name of Posts Personal NamesPeriod on post

Captaincy General of Wuping/Hunan (武平/湖南節度使)Captain General of Wuping|武平節度使 wu3 ping2 jie2 du4 shi3

Liu Yan|劉言 liu3 yan2 950-953

Captain General of Wuping|武平節度使 wu3 ping2 jie2 du4 shi3

Wang Kui|王逵 wang2 kui2 or Wang Jin Kui|王進逵 wang2 jin4 kui2

953-956

Captain General of Hunan|湖南節度使 hu2 nan2 jie2 du4 shi3

Zhou Xingfeng|周行逢 zhao1 xing2 feng2

956-962

Captain General of Hunan|湖南節度使 hu2 nan2 jie2 du4 shi3

Zhou Baoquan|周保權 zhao1 bao3 quan2

962-963

Captaincy General of Quanzhang (泉漳節度使)Captain General of Quanzhang|泉漳都指揮使 quan2 zhang1 du1 zhi3 hui1 shi3

Liu Congxiao|留從效 liu2 cong2 xiao4

945-962

Captain General of Quanzhang|泉漳留守 quan2 zhang1 liu2 shou3

Liu Shaozi|留紹鎡 liu2 shao4 zi1 962

Captain General of Quanzhang|泉漳節度使 quan2 zhang1 jie2 du4 shi3

Zhang Hansi|張漢思 zhang1 han4 si1

962-963

Captain General of Quanzhang|泉漳節度使 quan2 zhang1 jie2 du4 shi3

Chen Hongjin|陳洪進 chen2 hong2 jin4

963-978

Liao Dynasty 辽

Liao Dynasty 907-1125


miàohào)

Posthumous Names ( Shi Hao 諡號 shìhào)

Born NamesPeriod

of Reigns

Era Names (Nian Hao 年號 niánhào) and their


Convention: "Liao" + temple name except Liao Tianzuodi who is referred using "Liao" + posthumous name

Taizu (太祖 Tàizǔ)


Yelü Abaoji (耶律阿保機 Yēlǜ Ābǎojī)

907-926

Shence (神冊 Shéncè) 916-922

Tianzan (天贊 Tiānzàn) 922-926Tianxian (天顯 Tiānxiǎn) 926

Taizong (太宗 Tàizōng)


耶律德光 Yēlǜ Déguāng

926-947

Tianxian (天顯 Tiānxiǎn) 927-938

Huitong (會同 Huìtóng) 938-947Datong (大同 Dàtóng) 947

Shizong (世宗 Shìzōng)


耶律阮 Yēlǜ Ruǎn

947-951Tianlu (天祿 Tiānlù) 947-951

Muzong (穆宗 Mùzōng)

Not used when referring to this

耶律璟 Yēlǜ Jǐng 951-969 Yingli (應曆 Yìnglì) 951-969

sovereign

Jingzong (景宗 Jǐngzōng)


耶律賢 Yēlǜ Xián

969-982

Baoning (保寧 Bǎoníng) 969-979

Qianheng (乾亨 Qiánhēng) 979-982

Shengzong (聖宗　Shèngzōng)


耶律隆緒 Yēlǜ Lóngxù

982-1031

Qianheng (乾亨 Qiánhēng) 982

Tonghe (統和 Tǒnghé) 983-1012Kaitai (開泰 Kāitài) 1012-1021Taiping (太平 Tàipíng) 1021-1031

Xingzong (興宗 Xīngzōng)


耶律宗真 Yēlǜ Zōngzhēn

1031–1055

Jingfu (景福 Jǐngfú) 1031-1032

Chongxi (重熙 Chóngxī) 1032-1055

Daozong (道宗 Dàozōng)


耶律洪基 Yēlǜ Hóngjī

1055–1101

Qingning (清寧 Qīngníng) 1055-1064

Xianyong (咸雍 Xiányōng) 1065-1074Taikang (太康 Tàikāng) or Dakang (大康 Dàkāng) 1075-1084Da'an (大安 Dà'ān) 1085-1094Shouchang (壽昌 Shòuchāng) or Shoulong (壽隆 Shòulóng) 1095-1101

Did not existTianzuodi (天祚帝 Tiānzuòdì)

耶律延禧 Yēlǜ Yánxǐ

1101–1125

Qiantong (乾統 Qiántǒng) 1101-1110

Tianqing (天慶 Tiānqìng) 1111-1120Baoda (保大 Bǎodà) 1121-1125

Song Dynasty 宋

For a list of Song emperors on a separate page, click here.

Song dynasty 宋 960-1279

Temple Names ( Miao Hao 廟號 Miào Hào)

Posthumous Names (short

form)( Shi Hao 諡號 )

Born NamesPeriod

of Reigns



Convention: "Song" + temple name or posthumous name except last emperor who was revered as Song Di Bing (宋帝昺 Sòng Dì Bǐng)Bei (Northern) Song dynasty 北宋, 960- 1127

Taizu ( 太祖 Tàizǔ)

孝帝 Zhao Kuangyin (趙匡胤 Zhào Kuāngyìn)

960-976

Jianlong (建隆 Jiànlóng) 960-963

Qiande (乾德 Qiándé) 963-968Kaibao (開寶 Kāibǎo) 968-976

Taizong ( 太宗 Tàizōng)

德帝

Zhao Kuangyi (趙匡義 Zhào Kuāngyì) or Zhao Guangyi (趙光義 Zhào Guāngyì) or Zhao Jiong (趙炅 Zhào Jiǒng)

976-997

Taipingxingguo (太平興國 Tàipíngxīngguó) 976-984

Yongxi (雍熙 Yōngxī) 984-987Duangong (端拱 Duāngǒng) 988-989Chunhua (淳化 Chúnhuà) 990-994Zhidao (至道 Zhìdào) 995-997

Zhenzong ( 真宗　Zhēnzōng)

章帝 Zhao Heng (趙恆 Zhào Héng)

997-1022

Xianping (咸平 Xiánpíng) 998-1003

Jingde (景德 Jǐngdé) 1004-1007Dazhongxiangfu (大中祥符 Dàzhōngxiángfú) 1008-1016Tianxi (天禧 Tiānxǐ) 1017-1021Qianxing (乾興 Qiánxīng) 1022

Renzong ( 仁宗 Rénzōng)

文帝 Zhao Zhen (趙禎 Zhào Zhēn)

1022–1063

Tiansheng (天聖 Tiānshèng) 1023-1032

Mingdao (明道 Míngdào) 1032-1033Jingyou (景祐 Jǐngyòu)

1034-1038Baoyuan (寶元 Bǎoyuán) 1038-1040Kangding (康定 Kāngdìng) 1040-1041Qingli (慶曆 Qìnglì) 1041-1048Huangyou (皇祐 Huángyòu) 1049-1054Zhihe (至和 Zhìhé) 1054-1056Jiayou (嘉祐 Jiāyòu) 1056-1063

Yingzong ( 英宗　Yīngzōng)

宣帝 Zhao Shu (趙曙 Zhào Shù)

1063–1067

Zhiping (治平 Zhìpíng) 1064-1067

Shenzong ( 神宗　Shénzōng)

欽帝 Zhao Xu (趙頊 Zhào Xū)

1067–1085

Xining (熙寧 Xīníng) 1068-1077

Yuanfeng (元豐 Yuánfēng) 1078-1085

Zhezong ( 哲宗 Zhézōng)

昭帝 Zhao Xu (趙煦 Zhào Xǔ)

1085–1100

Yuanyou (元祐 Yuányòu) 1086-1094

Shaosheng (紹聖 Shàoshèng) 1094-1098Yuanfu (元符 Yuánfú) 1098-1100

Huizong ( 徽宗 Huīzōng)

顯帝 Zhao Ji (趙佶 Zhào Jí)1100–1125

Jianzhongjingguo (建中靖國 Jiànzhōngjìngguó) 1101

Chongning (崇寧 Chóngníng) 1102-1106Daguan (大觀 Dàguān) 1107-1110Zhenghe (政和 Zhènghé) 1111-1118Chonghe (重和 Chónghé) 1118-1119Xuanhe (宣和 Xuānhé) 1119-1125

Qinzong ( 欽宗 Qīnzōng)

仁帝 Zhao Huan (趙桓 Zhào Huán)

1126–1127

Jingkang (靖康 Jìngkāng) 1125-1127

Nan (Southern) Song dynasty 南宋, 1127-1279

Gaozong ( 高宗 Gāozōng)

憲帝 Zhao Gou (趙構 Zhào Gòu)

1127–1162

Jianyan (建炎 Jiànyán) 1127-1130

Shaoxing (紹興 Shàoxīng) 1131-1162

Xiaozong ( 孝宗　Xiàozōng)

成帝 Zhao Shen (趙昚 Zhào Shèn)

1162–1189

Longxing (隆興 Lóngxīng) 1163-1164

Qiandao (乾道 Qiándào) 1165-1173Chunxi (淳熙 Chúnxī) 1174-1189

Guangzong ( 光宗　　　　Guāngzōng)　　

慈帝 Zhao Dun (趙惇 Zhào Dūn)

1189–1194

Shaoxi (紹熙 Shàoxī) 1190-1194

Ningzong ( 寧宗　Níngzōng)

恭帝 Zhao Kuo (趙擴 Zháo Kuó)

1194–1224

Qingyuan (慶元 Qìngyuán) 1195-1200

Jiatai (嘉泰 Jiātài) 1201-1204Kaixi (開禧 Kāixǐ) 1205-1207Jiading (嘉定 Jiādìng) 1208-1224

Lizong ( 理宗 Lǐzōng)

安帝 Zhao Yun (趙昀 Zhào Yún)

1224–1264

Baoqing (寶慶 Bǎoqìng) 1225-1227

Shaoding (紹定 Shàodìng) 1228-1233Duanping (端平 Duānpíng) 1234-1236Jiaxi (嘉熙 Jiāxī) 1237-1240Chunyou (淳祐 Chúnyòu) 1241-1252Baoyou (寶祐 Bǎoyòu) 1253-1258Kaiqing (開慶 Kāiqìng) 1259Jingding (景定 Jǐngdìng) 1260-1264

Duzong ( 度宗 Dùzōng)

景帝 Zhao Qi (趙禥 Zhào Qí)

1264–1274

Xianchun (咸淳 Xiánchún) 1265-1274

Gongzong ( 恭宗　　　　Gōngzong)　　

Gong Di (恭帝 Gōngdì)

Zhao Xian (趙顯 Zhào Xiǎn)

1274–1276

Deyou (德祐 Déyòu) 1275-1276

Duan Zong ( 端 not used when Zhao Shi (趙昰 Zhào 1276– Jingyan (景炎 Jǐngyán)

宗　　　　Duān Zōng)　　 referring to this sovereign

Shì) 1278 1276-1278

did not existDi ( 帝 Dì) or Wei Wang ( 衛王　Wèiwáng)

Zhao Bing (趙昺 Zhào Bǐng)

1278–1279

Xiangxing (祥興 Xiángxīng) 1278-1279

Western Xia 西夏

Western Xia 1032-1227

Temple names

Posthumous names

Chinese family name and first

namesReigns

Era names and their according durations

Chinese convention: "Western Xia" + temple name or "family name + first names"

Jǐngzōng

(景宗)

Wǔlièdì

(武烈帝)

Lǐ Yuánhào

(李元昊)

1032–1048

Xiǎndào (顯道) 1032-1034

Kāiyùn (開運) 1034Guǎngpíng (廣平) 1035-1036Dàqìng (大慶) 1036-1038Tiānshòulǐfǎyánzuò (天授禮法延祚) 1038-1048

Yìzōng

(毅宗)

Zhāoyīngdì

(昭英帝)

Lǐ Liàngzuò

(李諒祚)

1048–1067

Yánsìníngguó (延嗣寧國) 1048-1049

Tiānyòuchuíshèng (天祐垂聖) 1050-1052Fúshèngchéngdào (福聖承道) 1053-1056Duǒdū (奲都) 1036-1038Gǒnghuà (拱化) 1063-1067

Huìzōng

(惠宗)

Kāngjìngdì

(康靖帝)

Lǐ Bǐngcháng

(李秉常)

1067–1086

Qiándào (乾道) 1067-1069

Tiāncìlǐshèngguóqìng (天賜禮盛國慶) 1070-1074Dà'ān (大安) 1075-1085Tiān'ānlǐdìng (天安禮定) 1085-1086

Chóngzōng

(崇宗)

Shèngwéndì

(聖文帝)

Lǐ Qiánshùn

(李乾順)

1086–1139

Tiānyízhìpíng (天儀治平) 1086-1089

Tiānyòumín'ān (天祐民安) 1090-1097Yǒng'ān (永安) 1098-1100Zhēnguān (貞觀) 1101-1113Yōngníng (雍寧) 1114-1118

Yuándé (元德) 1119-1127Zhèngdé (正德) 1127-1134Dàdé (大德) 1135-1139

Rénzōng

(仁宗)

Shèngzhēndì

(聖禎帝)

Lǐ Rénxiào

(李仁孝)

1139–1193

Dàqìng (大慶) 1139-1143

Rénqìng (人慶) 1144-1148Tiānshèng (天盛) 1149-1170Qiányòu (乾祐) 1170-1193

Huánzōng

(桓宗)

Zhāojiǎnjì

(昭簡帝)

Lǐ Chúnyòu

(李純佑)

1193–1206

Tiānqìng (天慶) 1193-1206

Xiāngzōng

(襄宗)

Jǐngwǔdì

(景武帝)

Lǐ Ānquán

(李安全)

1206–1211

Qìngtiān (慶天) 1206-1209

Huángjiàn (皇建) 1210-1211Shénzōng

(神宗)

Yīngwéndì

(英文帝)

Lǐ Zūnxū

(李遵頊)

1211–1223

Guāngdìng (光定) 1211-1223

Xiànzōng

(獻宗)Did not exist

Lǐ Déwàng

(李德旺)

1223–1226

Qiándìng (乾定) 1223-1226

Mòzhǔ

(末主)Did not exist

Lǐ Xiàn

(李晛)

1226–1227

Bǎoyì (寶義) 1226-1227

Jin Dynasty 金

Jin Dynasty 1115-1234


Miào Hào)

Posthumous Names ( Shi Hao

諡號 )Born Names

Period of

Reigns



Convention: "Jin" + temple name or posthumous name

Tàizǔ

太祖

(1) Wányán Āgǔdǎ

完顏阿骨打

1115–1123

Shōuguó

收國1115-1116 Tiānfǔ天輔1117-1123

Tàizōng (1) Wányán Wúqǐmǎi

1123–1134

Tiānhuì

太宗完顏吳乞買orWányán (Shèng or Chéng)完顏晟

天會1123-1134

Xīzōng

熙宗

(1) Wányán Hélá

完顏合剌orWányán Dǎn完顏亶

1135–1149

Tiānhuì

天會1135-1138 Tiānjuàn天眷1138-1141 Huángtǒng皇統1141-1149

(2) Hǎilíngwáng

海陵王

Wányán Liàng

完顏亮

1149–1161

Tiāndé

天德1149-1153 Zhènyuán貞元1153-1156 Zhènglóng正隆1156-1161

Shìzōng

世宗

(1) Wányán Yōng

完顏雍

1161–1189

Dàdìng

大定1161-1189

Zhāngzōng

章宗

(1) Wányán Jǐng

完顏璟

1190–1208

Míngchāng

明昌1190-1196 Chéng'ān承安1196-1200 Tàihé泰和 1200-1208

(2) Wèishàowáng

衛紹王orWèiwáng衛王

Wányán Yǒngjì

完顏永濟

1209–1213

Dà'ān

大安1209-1212 Chóngqìng崇慶1212-1213 Zhìníng至寧1213

Xuānzōng

宣宗

(1) Wányán Xún

完顏珣

1213–1223

Zhēnyòu

貞祐1213-1217 Xīngdìng興定1217-1222 Yuánguāng元光1222-1223

Āizōng

哀宗

(1) Wányán Shǒuxù

完顏守緒

1224–1234

Zhèngdà

正大1224-1232 Kāixīng開興1232 Tiānxīng天興1232-1234

(2) Mòdì

末帝

Wányán Chénglín

完顏承麟

1234 (2)

(1) Quite long and thus not used when referring to this sovereign.(2) Did not exist.

Yuan Dynasty 元

Yuan Dynasty 元 1271-1368

Temple names

Posthumous names

Khan Names Given namesPeriod

of Reigns

Era names and their


Convention: use first name (e.g. Temüjin) or Khan names for khans before Kublai Khan. Use "Yuan" + temple name or posthumous name after. A mix of the three for Kublai Khan.

Note:1) The Mongol Great Khans before Khubilai were only declared Yuan emperors after the

creation of Yuan dynasty in 12712) To non-Chinese readers, usually the khan names are the most familiar names.

3) Timur or Temür means the same Mongolian words but Temür will be used for avoiding confusion with Timur the lame, or Tamerlane.

Tàizǔ (太祖)

not used when referring to this sovereign

Genghis KhanBorjigin Temüjin (孛兒只斤鐵木真 Bóérzhījīn Tiěmùzhēn)

1206–1227

did not exist

Ruìzōng (睿宗)


ToluiBorjigin Tolui (孛兒只斤拖雷 Bóérzhījīn Tuōléi)

1228 did not exist

Tàizōng (太宗)


Ögedei KhanBorjigin Ögedei (孛兒只斤窩闊台 Bóérzhījīn Wōkuòtái)

1229–1241

did not exist

Dìngzōng (定宗)


Güyük KhanBorjigin Güyük (孛兒只斤貴由 Bóérzhījīn Guìyóu)

1246–1248

did not exist

Xiànzōng (憲宗)


Möngke KhanBorjigin Möngke (孛兒只斤蒙哥 Bóérzhījīn Ménggē)

1251–1259

did not exist

Shìzǔ (世祖 Shìzǔ)


Kublai KhanBorjigin Kublai (孛兒只斤忽必烈 Bóérzhījīn Hūbìliè)

1260–1294

Zhōngtǒng (中統) 1260-1264

Zhìyuán (至元) 1264-1294

Chéngzōng (成宗)

not used when

Temür Öljeytü Khân

Borjigin Temür (孛兒只斤鐵穆耳 Bóérzhījīn

1294–1307

Yuánzhēn (元貞) 1295-1297

referring to this sovereign

Tiěmù'ěr) Dàdé (大德) 1297-1307

Wǔzōng (武宗)


Qayshan GülükBorjigin Qayshan (孛兒只斤海山 Bóérzhījīn Hǎishān)

1308–1311

Zhìdà (至大) 1308-1311

Rénzōng (仁宗)


Ayurparibhadra

Borjigin Ayurparibhadra (孛兒只斤愛育黎拔力八達 Bóérzhījīn Àiyùlíbálìbādá)

1311–1320

Huángqìng (皇慶) 1312-1313

Yányòu (延祐) 1314-1320

Yīngzōng (英宗)


Suddhipala Gege'en

Borjigin Suddhipala (孛兒只斤碩德八剌 Bóérzhījīn Shuòdébālá)

1321–1323

Zhìzhì (至治) 1321-1323

did not exist (1)

Tàidìng Dì (泰定帝) (2)

Yesün-TemürBorjigin Yesün-Temür (孛兒只斤也孫鐵木兒 Bóérzhījīn Yěsūntiěmùér)

1323–1328

Tàidìng (泰定) 1321-1328

Zhìhé (致和) 1328

did not exist (1)

Tiānshùn Dì (天順帝) (2)

ArigabaBorjigin Arigaba (孛兒只斤阿速吉八 Bóérzhījīn Āsùjíbā)

1328Tiānshùn (天順) 1328

Wénzōng (文宗)


Jijaghatu Toq-Temür

Borjigin Toq-Temür (孛兒只斤圖帖睦爾 Bóérzhījīn Tútiěmùér)

1328–1329 and 1329–1332

Tiānlì (天曆) 1328-1330

Zhìshùn (至順) 1330-1332

Míngzōng (明宗)


Qoshila Qutuqtu

Borjigin Qoshila (孛兒只斤和世剌 Bóérzhījīn Héshìlà)

1329 did not exist

Níngzōng (寧宗)


IrinchibalBorjigin Irinchibal (孛兒只斤懿璘質班 Bóérzhījīn Yìlínzhìbān)

1332Zhìshùn (至順) 1332

Huìzōng (惠宗) (1)

Shundi (順帝 Shùndì)

Toghan-Temür Borjigin Toghan-Temür (孛兒只斤妥懽帖睦爾 Bóérzhījīn Tuǒhuān Tiěmùér)

1333–1370

Zhìshùn (至順) 1333

Yuántǒng (元

統) 1333-1335Zhìyuán (至元) 1335-1340Zhìzhèng (至正) 1341-1368Zhìyuán (至元) 1368-1370

(1) Convention: for these sovereigns only, use "yuan" + posthumous name, i.e. 元泰定帝 Yuán Tài Dìng Dì.

(2) Not actually a posthumous name, but adopted from era name.Northern Yuan Dynasty 北元 (after overthrown by the Ming Dynasty in China in

1368) 1368 – early 15th century[citation needed]

Temple Names

(Miao Hao 廟號 Miào

Hào)

Posthumous Names (Shi Hao 諡號)

Khan Names

Born NamesPeriod

of Reigns

Era Names (Nian Hao 年號)

and their corresponding range of years

Convention: use khan names or born names.Note: 1) />2) To non-Chinese readers, usually the khan names are the most familiar names. 2) Timur or Temür means the same Mongolian words but Temür will be used for avoiding

confusion with the Timur (Timurlane or Tamerlane) who attempted to restore the Mongolian Empire in Central Asia.

Convention: for the following sovereign only, use "yuan" + posthumous name.

Huìzōng (惠宗) (same person as the last Yuan emperor in China)

Shundi (順帝 Shùndì)

Toghan-Temür

Borjigin Toghan-Temür (孛兒只斤妥懽帖睦爾 Bóérzhījīn Tuǒhuān Tiěmùér)

1333–1370

Zhìshùn (至順) 1333

Yuántǒng (元統) 1333-1335Zhìyuán (至元) 1335-1340Zhìzhèng (至正) 1341-1368Zhìyuán (至元) 1368-1370

Zhàozōng (昭宗)

did not existBiligtü Khan

Ayushiridara of the Borjigin clan (孛兒只斤愛猷識里達臘 Bóérzhījīn Àiyùshílǐdálà)

1370–1378

Xuānguāng (宣光) 1371-1378

did not exist did not existUsakhal Khan

Tögüs Temür of the Borjigin clan (孛兒只斤脫古思鐵木兒 Bóérzhījīn Tuōgǔsī Tiěmùér)

1378–1387

Tiānguāng (天光) 1378-1387

(1) Convention: for these souvereigns only, use "yuan" + posthumous name, i.e. 元泰定帝

Yuán Tài Dìng Dì.

For the later Mongol Khans, see List of Mongol Khans

Ming Dynasty 明

Main article: List of emperors of the Ming Dynasty

Personal Name

Posthumous name1

(short form)

Temple name1 Era name

Reign years

Name by which

most commonly

knownZhū

Yuánzhāng

朱元璋

Gāodì

高帝

Tàizǔ

太祖

Hóngwǔ

洪武

1368–1398

Hongwu Emperor

Zhū Yǔnwén

朱允炆

Huìdì

惠帝Huizong²

Jiànwén

建文

1398–1402

Jianwen Emperor

Zhū Dì

朱棣

Wēndì

文帝

Chéngzǔ, 成祖 or

Tàizōng, 太宗

Yǒnglè

永樂

1402–1424

Yongle Emperor

Zhū Gāochì

朱高熾

Zhāodì

昭帝

Rénzōng

仁宗

Hóngxī

洪熙

1424–1425

Hongxi Emperor

Zhū Zhānjī

朱瞻基

Zhāngdì

章帝

Xuānzōng

宣宗

Xuāndé

宣德

1425–1435

Xuande Emperor

Zhū Qízhèn

朱祁鎮

Ruìdì

睿帝

Yīngzōng

英宗

Zhèngtǒng, 正統

1436-1449;Tiānshùn, 天

順1457-1464

1435–1449;

1457-1464³

Zhengtong Emperor

Zhū Qíyù

朱祁鈺

Jǐngdì

景帝

Dàizōng

代宗

Jǐngtài

景泰

1449–1457

Jingtai Emperor

Zhū Jiànshēn

朱見深

Chúndì

純帝

Xiànzōng

憲宗

Chénghuà

成化

1464–1487

Chenghua Emperor

Zhū Yòutáng

朱祐樘

Jìngdì

敬帝

Xiàozōng

孝宗

Hóngzhì

弘治

1487–1505

Hongzhi Emperor

Zhū Hòuzhào

朱厚照

Yìdì

毅帝

Wǔzōng

武宗

Zhèngdé

正德

1505–1521

Zhengde Emperor

Zhū Hòucōng

朱厚熜

Sùdì

肅帝

Shìzōng

世宗

Jiājìng

嘉靖

1521–1566

Jiajing Emperor

Zhū Zǎihòu

朱載垕

Zhuāngdì

莊帝

Mùzōng

穆宗

Lóngqìng

隆慶

1566–1572

Longqing Emperor

Zhū Yìjūn

朱翊鈞

Xiǎndì

顯帝

Shénzōng

神宗

Wànlì

萬曆

1572–1620

Wanli Emperor

Zhū Chángluò

朱常洛

Zhēndì

貞帝

Guāngzōng

光宗

Tàichāng

泰昌1620

Taichang Emperor

Zhū Yóujiào

朱由校

Zhédì

悊帝

Xīzōng

熹宗

Tiānqǐ

天啓

1620–1627

Tianqi Emperor

Zhū Yóujiǎn

朱由檢

Zhuānglièmǐnhuángdì

莊烈愍皇帝

Sīzōng, 思宗　or

Yìzōng, 毅宗

Chóngzhēn

崇禎

1627–1644

Chongzhen Emperor

1 As posthumous and temple names were often shared by emperors of different dynasties, they are usually preceded by the dynastic name, in this case, Ming, to avoid confusion. For example, the Hongwu emperor is frequently referred to as Ming Taizu.2 The Yongle emperor assumed the throne of his nephew the Jianwen emperor, who was officially said to have died in a palace fire but who was suspected of escaping to live as a recluse. The Yongle emperor wiped out the record of his nephew's reign and no temple name was given him. In 1644 the Prince of Fu (福王), the new self-proclaimed emperor of the Southern Ming, conferred on Emperor Jianwen the temple name Huizong3 After listening to the poor advice of his eunuch advisers, the Zhengtong emperor personally led a campaign in 1449 against the Mongols and was captured. His brother, the Jingtai emperor, assumed the throne and, a hostage no longer of any value, the Mongols released the Zhengtong emperor who returned to live in seclusion. However, the Zhengtong emperor was able to reclaim his position upon the death of his brother, choosing the reign name Tianshun.

Shun Dynasty 順

The Shun Dynasty was an imperial dynasty created in the brief lapse from Ming to Qing rule in China. It was a state set up by the peasants' rebellion, in which they defeated the Ming forces, but former Ming general Wu Sangui led the Qing forces into Beijing and the Qing forces defeated the rebels.

Personal Name Temple name Era name Reign years

Li Zicheng李自成

Chuǎng Wáng

闖王

Yung Chang

永昌1644

Southern Ming Dynasty 南明

The Southern Ming Dynasty refers to the Ming loyalist regimes that existed in Southern China from 1644 to 1662. The regime was established by the princes of the already destroyed Ming dynasty. All of these monarchs had their regimes crushed by the Qing forces very quickly. Koxinga (Zheng Chenggong) used the Ming dynasty's name and gathered forces before fleeing to Taiwan.

Personal Name

Temple name

Era nameReign years

Name by which

most commonly known

Zhū Yóusōng

朱由崧

Ānzōng

安宗

Hóngguāng

弘光

1644–1645

Prince of Fu

福王 Fú WángZhū Yùjiàn

朱聿鍵

Shàozōng

紹宗

Lóngwǔ

隆武

1645–1646

Prince of Tang

唐王 Táng Wáng

Zhū Chángfāng

朱常淓

None given

None given,

but sometimes referred to as the

Regency of the Prince of Lu (Luh)

潞王臨國 Lù Wáng Lín Guó

1645Prince of Lu (Luh*)

潞王 Lù Wáng

Zhū Yǐhǎi

朱以海None given

None given,

but sometimes referred to as the

Regency of the Prince of Lu (Lou)

魯王臨國 Lǔ Wáng Lín Guó

1645–1653

Prince of Lu (Lou*)

魯王 Lǔ Wáng

Zhū Yùyuè

朱聿𨮁

Wénzōng

文宗

Shàowǔ

紹武1646

Prince of Tang (Shaowu)

唐王 Táng WángZhū Yóuláng

朱由榔

Zhāozōng

昭宗

Yǒnglì

永曆

1646–1662

Prince of Gui

桂王 Guì Wáng

* The two characters are homonyms, both pronounced Lu; to distinguish them, one is usually kept as Lu and the other spelled differently. Luh is from Cambridge History of China; Lou is from A.C. Moule's Rulers of China (1957). When one irregular spelling is used, the other is kept as regular (Lu). The two systems are distinct and not used simultaneously.

Qing Dynasty 清

Main article: List of emperors of the Qing Dynasty

Given name1

Posthumous name²

(short form)

Temple name²

Reign name

Chinese, Manchu

Reign years

Name by which

most commonly known

Nurhaci

努爾哈赤pinyin:

Nǔ'ěrhāchì

Gāodì

高帝

Tàizǔ

太祖

Tiānmìng

天命Abkai fulingga

1616-1626³

Nurhaci

Hong Taiji4

皇太極pinyin:

Huángtàijí

Wéndì

文帝

Tàizōng

太宗

Tiāncōng

天聰Abkai sure1627-1636;Chóngdé崇德

Wesihun erdemungge1636-1643

1626–1643

Huang Taiji

Fúlín

福臨

Zhāngdì

章帝

Shìzǔ

世祖

Shùnzhì

順治Ijishūn dasan

1643-16615

Shunzhi Emperor

Xuányè

玄燁

Réndì

仁帝

Shèngzǔ

聖祖

Kāngxī

康熙Elhe taifin

1661–1722

Kangxi Emperor

Yìnzhēn

胤禛

Xiàndì

憲帝

Shìzōng

世宗

Yōngzhèng

雍正Hūwaliyasun tob

1722–1735

Yongzheng Emperor

Hónglì

弘曆

Chúndì

純帝

Gāozōng

高宗

Qiánlóng

乾隆Abkai wehiyehe

1735-1796

(died 1799)6

Qianlong Emperor

Yóngyǎn Ruìdì Rénzōng Jiāqìng 1796– Jiaqing Emperor

顒琰睿帝仁宗嘉慶

Saicungga fengšen

1820

Mínníng

旻寧

Chéngdì

成帝

Xuānzōng

宣宗

Dàoguāng

道光Doro eldengge

1820–1850

Daoguang Emperor

Yìzhǔ

奕詝

Xiǎndì

顯帝

Wénzōng

文宗

Xiánfēng

咸豐Gubci elgiyengge

1850–1861

Xianfeng Emperor

Zǎichún

載淳

Yìdì

毅帝

Mùzōng

穆宗

Tóngzhì

同治Yooningga dasan

1861-18757

Tongzhi Emperor

Zǎitián

載湉

Jǐngdì

景帝

Dézōng

德宗

Guāngxù

光緒Badarangga

doro

1875-19087

Guangxu Emperor

Pǔyí

溥儀also known as

Henry

Xùn Dì 8

遜帝

Gongzōng 9

恭宗

Xuāntǒng

宣統Gehungge yoso

1908-191110

(died 1967)

Xuantong Emperor

1 The Qing imperial family name was Aisin Gioro (愛新覺羅 aixin jueluo), but it was not common Manchu practice to include the family or clan name in an individual's personal name.2 As posthumous and temple names were often shared by emperors of different dynasties, they are usually preceded by the dynastic name, in this case, Qing, to avoid confusion. For example, the Qianlong emperor is frequently referred to as Qing Gaozong.

3 Nurhaci founded the Jin (金) or Later Jin (後金) dynasty in 1616, but it was his son Hong Taiji who changed the name of the dynasty to Qing in 1636. Nurhaci adopted the reign name Tianming but his Qing titles were all conferred posthumously.

4 Hong Taiji is referred to erroneously in some historical literature as Abahai (阿巴海).5 The Shunzhi emperor was the first Qing emperor to rule over China proper following the occupation of Beijing in 1644.

6 The Qianlong emperor officially retired in 1796, taking the title Emperor Emeritus (太上皇帝). This was an act of filial piety to ensure that he would not reign longer than his illustrious grandfather, the Kangxi emperor. However, he remained the ultimate authority until his death in 1799, at which point his son, the Jiaqing emperor, began to exercise the power that had been his in name only from 1796.7 The Empress Dowager Cixi, concubine of the Xianfeng emperor, mother of the Tongzhi emperor, and adoptive mother of the Guangxu emperor, used her considerable skills of political manipulation to act as the power behind the throne or on the throne from 1861 until her death in 1908. She acted as a regent during the minorities of the two young emperors and confined the Guangxu emperor in the Summer Palace after he attempted to introduce reforms in 1898. The death of the Guangxu emperor was announced the day before her own.8 Xundi ("The Abdicated Emperor") is the posthumous name given by mainland China and Taiwan's history

books to Pu-yi.9 In 2004 the descendants of the Qing imperial family have conferred a posthumous name and temple name upon the late Pu-yi. Posthumous name: Mindi (愍帝). Temple name: Gongzong (恭宗). It remains to be seen whether these names will be accepted by the Chinese public.10 The Qing dynasty was overthrown in 1911, and the last emperor, Pu-yi, abdicated officially on February 12, 1912. However, that same day the Republic of China granted the "Articles of Favourable Treatment of the Emperor of the Great Qing after his Abdication" (清帝退位優待條件) which allowed Pu-yi to retain his imperial title and stated that he should be treated by the government of the Republic with the protocol attached to a foreign monarch. These articles were revised on November 5, 1924, after the coup by General Feng Yuxiang: the revised articles stated that Pu-yi was losing his imperial title and henceforth becoming a regular citizen of the Republic of China. Pu-yi was expelled from the Forbidden City that same day. Thus, Pu-yi was ruling emperor until February 12, 1912 (and also briefly between July 1 and July 12, 1917), and non-ruling emperor between February 12, 1912 and November 5, 1924. Pu-yi also later became the puppet leader of Japanese-controlled Manchukuo under the reign name Datong (大同) (1932–1934), then the puppet emperor

of the same under the reign name Kangde (康德) (1934–1945).

Taiping Rebellion 太平天国

Main article: Taiping Rebellion

Personal name

Reign name

年號(nian hao)

Reign yearsName by which

most commonly known

Hong Xiuquan

洪秀全

Yuánnián

元年August 1851 – May 1864 Hong Xiuquan

Hong Tianguifu

洪天貴福None given May 1864 – August 1864 Hong Tianguifu

Yuan Shikai's Empire of China

Main article: Empire of China (1915–1916)

Yuan Shikai attempted to establish himself as emperor in 1916, but his rule is universally accepted as inauthentic. After 83 days, the reign collapsed.

Personal name

Reign name

年號(nian hao)

Reign years

Name by which

most commonly known

Yuan Shikai

袁世凱

Hóngxiàn (Hung-hsien)

洪憲

December 1915 – March 1916 (1912-1915 as the President of the Republic of China)

Yuan Shikai

Emperor of ChinaFrom Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaJump to: navigation, search For the volcano in Indonesia, see Emperor of China (volcano).

"Emperor" is the normal translation of 皇帝 (huangdi), a Chinese term that is not to be confused with the homophonic 黄帝, which refers to the Yellow Emperor.

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Emperor of ChinaFORMER MONARCHY

The last emperor of China, Puyi, as the Emperor of

Manchukuo

First monarch Qin Shi Huang

Last monarch Puyi

Style Varies according to Dynasty

Official

residence

Varies according to Dynasty, most recently

the Forbidden City in Beijing

Monarchy

started221 BC

Monarchy ended 12 February 1912

Current

pretender(s)

Jin Youzhi

(Qing Dynasty)

This article contains Chinese text. Without proper rendering support, you may see question marks, boxes, or other symbols instead of Chinese characters.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Puyi-Manchukuo.jpg

The Emperor (Chinese: 皇帝; pinyin: Huángdì, pronounced [xu ̯ ɑ ̌ ŋ tî] ) refers to any sovereign of Imperial China reigning between the founding of Qin Dynasty of China, united by the King of Qin in 221 BCE, and the fall of Yuan Shikai's Empire of China in 1916. When referred to as the Son of Heaven (Chinese: 天子; pinyin: tiānzǐ, pronounced [ti ̯ ɛ ́n ts ɨ ̀] ), a title that predates the Qin unification, the Emperor was recognized as the ruler of "All under heaven" (i.e., the world). In practice not every Emperor held supreme power, though this was most often the case.

Emperors from the same family are generally classified in historical periods known as Dynasties. Most of China's imperial rulers have commonly been considered members of the Han ethnicity, although recent scholarship tends to be wary of applying current ethnic categories to historical situations. During the Yuan and Qing dynasties China was ruled by ethnic Mongols and Manchus respectively after being conquered by them. The orthodox historical view over the years sees these as non-native dynasties that were sinicized over time, though some more recent scholars argue that the interaction between politics and ethnicity was far more complex.[1] Nevertheless, in both cases these rulers claimed the Mandate of Heaven to assume the role of traditional Confucian emperors in order to rule over China proper.

Contents

1 Origin and history 2 Number of Emperors 3 Heredity and succession 4 Styles, names and forms of address 5 Family 6 See also 7 Notes 8 Further reading 9 External links

Origin and history

Chinese feudal rulers with power over their particular fiefdoms were called Wang (王), roughly translated as King, but in fact somewhat amorphous and also readily maps to "duke" in English. In 221 BCE, after the then King of Qin completed the conquest of the various kingdoms/duchies of the Warring States Period, he adopted a new title to reflect his prestige as a ruler greater than the rulers before him. He created the new title Huangdi or "Emperor", and styled himself Shi Huangdi, the First Emperor. Before this, Huang (皇) and Di (帝) were given as titles of a number of rulers from the era known as the "sage kings" period, supposedly predating written history, but probably coinciding with or following the invention and early stages of evolution for the Chinese writing system. Huang (皇) was the title generally used for divine entities and legendary/deified rulers, and Di (帝) was used for feudal rulers of vassals who were themselves rulers of their own principalities.[dubious – discuss]

Though these words came to be used synonymously and interchangeably, at the time of Ying Zheng's rule, they were not used together, and would have carried the connotation of "The Holy Emperor" because Huang (皇) was previously associated with divine or deified entities. Furthermore, it is generally agreed upon[by whom?] that the founding of the dominant Chinese race, the Han 漢 race, was the result of the "Yellow Emperor" Huangdi 黃帝, who unified a federation of tribes to drive the other tribes out of central China as it was known then (today's northwestern China), and several imperial dynasties existed since the time of Huang Di and before the time of Ying Zheng, the last of which integral dynasties, the Zhou 周 dynasty, disintegrated and formed the "Warring Nations" which were principalities of various sizes roughly based on the feudal kingdoms and duchies as ascribed under the Zhou dynasty political system.[citation needed] Ying Zheng, therefore, should really be called the re-unifier of the Chinese empire after the fall of the Zhou Dynasty, and his title should more correctly be rendered as "The First Holy Emperor" as opposed to the much less nuanced (and in fact much less accurate) "First Emperor."[citation needed] This is further evidenced by the fact that Chinese emperors since Ying Zheng also typically took on the title 帝 rather than 皇帝, e.g. Han Wu Di 漢武帝 "Emperor Wu of Han [Dynasty]", and it was not until much later that the term Huang Di 皇帝 came to be used interchangeably with the shorter Di 帝.

There is one minor exception to this interpretation in that, where the father of he who has ascended to the throne as emperor of China is still alive, this progenitor of the present emperor would be given the title Tai shang huang 太上皇, literally the "The Grand/Over-Emperor" or the "Grand Imperial Sire" or in the context of "Holy Emperor", the "Holy Imperial Sire." It is said that this practice was initiated by Liu Bang 劉邦, the founder of the Han Dynasty, in emulation of Ying Zheng (who granted his own father the title posthumously once he took on the new title of Huangdi 皇帝 for himself), because Liu Bang would not be bowed to by his own father, who was still technically a commoner.

Chinese political theory does not totally discourage or prevent the rule of non-royals or foreigners holding the title of "Emperor of China". Historically, China has been divided, numerous times, into smaller kingdoms under separate rulers or warlords. The Emperor in most cases was the ruler of a united China, or must at least have claimed legitimate rule over all of China if he did not have de facto control. There have been a number of instances where there has been more than one "Emperor of All China" simultaneously in Chinese history. For example, various Ming Dynasty princes continued to claim the title after the founding of the Qing Dynasty (1644–1911), and Wu Sangui claimed the title during the Kangxi Emperor's reign. In dynasties founded by foreign conquering tribes that eventually became immersed in Chinese culture, politics, and society, the rulers would adopt the title of Emperor of China in addition to whatever titles they may have had from their original homeland. Thus, Kublai Khan was simultaneously Khagan of the Mongols and Emperor of China.

Number of Emperors

From the Qin Dynasty to the Qing Dynasty, there were[2] 557 Emperors (including rules of minor states). Some, such as Li Zicheng and Yuan Shu, declared themselves Emperors and founded their own empires as a rival government to challenge the legitimacy of the existing Emperor. Among the most famous Emperors are Qin Shi Huang of the Qin Dynasty, Emperors Gaozu and

Wu of the Han Dynasty, Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty, Kublai Khan of the Yuan Dynasty, the Hongwu Emperor of the Ming Dynasty and the Kangxi Emperor of the Qing Dynasty.[3]

The Emperor's words were considered sacred edicts (聖旨), and his written proclamations "directives from above" (上諭). In theory, the Emperor's orders were to be obeyed immediately. He was elevated above all commoners, nobility and members of the Imperial family. Addresses to the Emperor were always to be formal and self-deprecatory, even by the closest of family members.

In practice, however, the power of the emperor varied between different Emperors and different dynasties. Generally, in the Chinese dynastic cycle, Emperors founding a dynasty usually consolidated the Empire through absolute rule, examples including Qin Shi Huang of the Qin Dynasty, Taizong of the Tang Dynasty, Kublai Khan of the Yuan Dynasty, and Kangxi of the Qing Dynasty. These emperors ruled as absolute monarchs throughout their reign, maintaining a centralized grip on the country. During the Song Dynasty, the Emperor's power was significantly overshadowed by the power of the chancellor.

The Emperor's position, unless deposed in a rebellion, was always hereditary, usually by agnatic primogeniture. As a result, many Emperors ascended the throne while still children. During these minorities, the Empress Dowager (i.e., the Emperor's mother) would possess significant power. In fact, the vast majority of female rulers throughout Chinese Imperial history came to power by ruling as regents on behalf of their sons; prominent examples include the Empress Lü of the Han Dynasty, as well as Empress Dowager Cixi and Empress Dowager Ci'an of the Qing Dynasty, who for a time ruled jointly as co-regents. Where Empresses Dowager were too weak to assume power, court officials often seized control. Court eunuchs had a significant role in the power structure, as Emperors often relied on a few of them as confidants, which gave them access to many court documents. In a few places, eunuchs wielded vast power; one of the most powerful eunuchs in Chinese history was Wei Zhongxian during the Ming Dynasty. Occasionally, other nobles seized power as regents. The actual area ruled by the Emperor of China varied from dynasty to dynasty. In some cases, such as during the Southern Song dynasty, political power in East Asia was effectively split among several governments; nonetheless, the political fiction that there was but one ruler was maintained.

Heredity and succession

Main article: List of Chinese monarchs

The title of emperor was hereditary, traditionally passed on from father to son in each dynasty. There are also instances where the throne is assumed by a younger brother, should the deceased Emperor have no male offspring. By convention in most dynasties, the eldest son born to the Empress (嫡長子) succeeded to the throne. In some cases when the empress did not bear any children, the emperor would have a child with another of his many wives (all children of the emperor were said also to be the children of the empress, regardless of birth mother). In some dynasties the succession of the empress' eldest son was disputed, and because many emperors had large numbers of progeny, there were wars of succession between rival sons. In an attempt to

resolve after-death disputes, the emperor, while still living, often designated a Crown Prince (太子). Even such a clear designation, however, was often thwarted by jealousy and distrust, whether it was the crown prince plotting against the emperor, or brothers plotting against each other. Some emperors, like the Kangxi Emperor, after abolishing the position of Crown Prince, placed the succession papers in a sealed box, only to be opened and announced after his death.

Unlike, for example, the Japanese monarchy, Chinese political theory allowed for a change in the ruling house. This was based on the concept of the "Mandate of Heaven". The theory behind this was that the Chinese emperor acted as the "Son of Heaven" and held a mandate to rule over everyone else in the world; but only as long as he served the people well. If the quality of rule became questionable because of repeated natural disasters such as flood or famine, or for other reasons, then rebellion was justified. This important concept legitimized the dynastic cycle or the change of dynasties.

This principle made it possible even for peasants to found new dynasties, as happened with the Han and Ming dynasties, and for the establishment of conquest dynasties such as the Mongol-led Yuan Dynasty and Manchu-led Qing Dynasty. It was moral integrity and benevolent leadership that determined the holder of the "Mandate of Heaven". There has been only one lawful reigning Empress in China, Empress Wu of the Tang dynasty or the Wu-Zhou (Wu-Chou) dynasty founded by her. Many females, however, did become de facto leaders, usually as Empress Dowager. Prominent examples include Empress Dowager Cixi, mother of the Tongzhi Emperor (1861–1874), and aunt and adoptive mother of the Guangxu Emperor (1874–1908), who ruled China for 47 years (1861–1908), Empress Wu Zetian (who ultimately declared herself Empress, and was subsequently overthrown) and the Empress Dowager Lü of the Han Dynasty.

Styles, names and forms of address

To see naming conventions in detail, please refer to Chinese sovereign

As the emperor had, by law, an absolute position not to be challenged by anyone else, his subjects were to show the utmost respect in his presence, whether in direct conversation or otherwise. When approaching the Imperial throne, one was expected to kowtow before the Emperor. In a conversation with the emperor, it was considered a crime to compare oneself to the emperor in any way. It was taboo to refer to the emperor by his given name, even if it came from his own mother, who instead was to use Huangshang(皇上), Bixia(陛下), or simply Er ("son"). The emperor was never to be addressed as you. Anyone who spoke to the emperor was to address him as Bixia (陛下), corresponding to "Your Imperial Majesty", Huang Shang (皇上, lit. Emperor Above or Emperor Highness), or indirectly referred him as Sheng Shang (聖上, lit. the Divine Above or the Holy Highness) or Tian zi (天子, lit. the Son of Heaven ). The emperor could also be alluded to indirectly through reference to the imperial dragon symbology. Servants often addressed the emperor as Wan Sui Ye (萬歲爺, lit. Lord of Ten thousand years). The emperor referred to himself as Zhen (朕), translated into the royal "We", or Guaren(寡人, modestly calling himself "the person without enough morality") in front of his subjects, a practice reserved solely for the emperor.

In contrast to the Western convention of referring to a sovereign using a regnal name (e.g. George V) or by a personal name (e.g. Queen Victoria), a governing emperor was to be referred to simply as Huangdi Bixia (皇帝陛下, His Majesty the Emperor) or Dangjin Huangshang (當今皇上, The Imperial Highness of the Present Time) when spoken about in the third person. He was usually styled His Imperial Majesty the Emperor of the Great [X] Dynasty, Son of Heaven, Lord of Ten Thousand Years. Forms of address varied considerably during the Yuan and Qing Dynasties.

Generally, emperors also ruled with an era name (年號). Since the adoption of era name by Emperor Wu of Han and up until the Ming Dynasty, the sovereign conventionally changed the era name on a semi-regular basis during his reign. During the Ming and Qing Dynasties, emperors simply chose one era name for their entire reign, and people often referred to past emperors with that title. In earlier dynasties, the emperors were known with a temple name (廟號) given after their death. All emperors were also given a posthumous name (謚號), which was sometimes combined with the temple name (e.g. Emperor Shengzuren 聖祖仁皇帝 for Kangxi). The passing of an emperor was referred to as jiabeng (駕崩, lit. "collapse of the [imperial] chariot") and an emperor that had just died was referred to as Daxing Huangdi (大行皇帝), literally "the Emperor of the Great Journey."

Family

The Imperial family was made up of the Emperor and the Empress (皇后) as the primary consort and Mother of the Nation (國母). In addition, the Emperor would typically have several other consorts and concubines (妃嬪), ranked by importance into a harem, in which the Empress was supreme. Every dynasty had its set of rules regarding the numerical composition of the harem. During the Qing Dynasty (1644–1911), for example, imperial convention dictated that at any given time there should be one Empress, one Huang Guifei, two Guifei, four fei and six pin, plus an unlimited number of other consorts and concubines. Although the Emperor had the highest status by law, by tradition and precedent the mother of the Emperor, i.e., the Empress Dowager (皇太后), usually received the greatest respect in the palace and was the decision maker in most family affairs. At times, especially when a young emperor was on the throne, she was the de facto ruler. The Emperor's children, the princes (皇子) and princesses (公主), were often referred to by their order of birth, e.g., Eldest Prince, Third Princess, etc. The princes were often given titles of peerage once they reached adulthood. The Emperor's brothers and uncles served in court by law, and held equal status with other court officials (子). The Emperor was always elevated above all others despite any chronological or generational superiority.

list of rulers of china

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