Emperor Yao
| Yao | |
|---|---|
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| Chinese Emperor Yao. Color on silk, Song Dynasty. National Palace Museum | |
| Reign | 2333 BC-2234 BC (100 years)[1] |
| Predecessor | Emperor Zhi |
| Successor | Emperor Shun |
| Spouse | San Yi (concubine) |
| Issue | |
| Danzhu Two daughters |
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| Father | Emperor Ku |
| Mother | Qingdu |
| Born | 2324 BC Gaoyou, Jiangsu or Tianchang, Anhui |
| Died | 2206 BC (aged 118) |
Emperor Yao (simplified Chinese: 尧; traditional Chinese: 堯; pinyin: Yáo; traditionally c. 2356–2255 BC)[2] was a legendary Chinese ruler, one of the Three Sovereigns and the Five Emperors.
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Ancestry and early life [edit]
Yao's ancestral name (姓) is Yi Qi(伊祁) or Qi (祁), clan name is Taotang (陶唐), given name is Fangxun (放勳), as the second son to Emperor Ku and Qingdu (慶都). He is also known as Tang Yao (唐堯).[3][4]
Legacy [edit]
Often extolled as the morally perfect and smart sage-king, Yao's benevolence and diligence served as a model to future Chinese monarchs and emperors. Early Chinese often speak of Yao, Shun and Yu the Great as historical figures, and contemporary historians believed they may represent leader-chiefs of allied tribes who established a unified and hierarchical system of government in a transition period to the patriarchal feudal society. In the Classic of History one of the Five Classics, the initial chapters deals with Yao, Shun and Yu.
Legends [edit]
According to the legend, Yao became the ruler at 20 and died at 119 when he passed his throne to Shun the Great, to whom he gave his two daughters in marriage.[5]
Contributions [edit]
Of his many contributions, Yao is said to have invented the game of Weiqi, reportedly to favorably influence his vicious playboy son Danzhu.[6] After the customary three year mourning period after Yao's death, Shun named Danzhu as the ruler but the people only recognized Shun as the rightful heir.
Variant accounts [edit]
The Bamboo Annals offers a different story. Shun rebelled and imprisoned Yao where he is left to die. Danzhu is exiled and later defeated by Shun.[7]
Dynastic succession [edit]
Yao was claimed to be the ancestor of the Han Dynasty Emperor Liu Bang.[8] Other important noble families have also claimed descent through Yellow Emperor.[9]
See also [edit]
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Emperor Yao |
Notes [edit]
- ^ Records of the Grand Historian
- ^ Ching, Julia; R. W. L. Guisso (1991). Sages and filial sons: mythology and archaeology in ancient China. The Chinese University Press. p. 140. ISBN 978-962-201-469-5.
- ^ Sarah Allan (1991). The shape of the turtle: myth, art, and cosmos in early China. SUNY Press. p. 59. ISBN 0-7914-0460-9. Retrieved 4-1-2012.
- ^ Asiapac Editorial (2006). Great Chinese emperors: tales of wise and benevolent rule (revised ed.). Asiapac Books Pte Ltd. p. 11. ISBN 981-229-451-1. Retrieved 4-1-2012.
- ^ Asiapac Editorial (2006). Great Chinese emperors: tales of wise and benevolent rule (revised ed.). Asiapac Books Pte Ltd. p. 12. ISBN 981-229-451-1. Retrieved 4-1-2012.
- ^ Yang, Lihui; Deming An, Jessica Anderson Turner (2005). Handbook of Chinese mythology. ABC-CLIO Ltd. p. 228. ISBN 978-1-57607-806-8.
- ^ Bamboo Annals
- ^ Patricia Buckley Ebrey (2003). Women and the family in Chinese history. Volume 2 of Critical Asian scholarship (illustrated ed.). Psychology Press. p. 171. ISBN 0-415-28823-1. Retrieved 4-1-2012.
- ^ Fabrizio Pregadio (2008). In Fabrizio Pregadio. The encyclopedia of Taoism, Volume 1 (illustrated ed.). Psychology Press. p. 505. ISBN 0-7007-1200-3. Retrieved 4-1-2012.
External links [edit]
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Emperor Yao
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| Regnal titles | ||
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| Preceded by Emperor Zhi |
Emperor of China c. 2358 BC – c. 2258 BC |
Succeeded by Emperor Shun |
