Qing Dynasty nobility
Encyclopedia
The Qing Dynasty
(1644-1911) of China
developed a complicated peerage system for ranking nobility. All titles were to be inherited by a noble's eldest son, but always one grade lower. There were instances, however, where an emperor approved of a title being hereditary (i.e. inherited by the bearer's descendants over generations). This was regarded as an honour by the bearer of the title. Princes of the imperial clan were allowed to pass on their titles to their descendants without having the grades of their titles reduced. These princes were known as "Iron Cap Princes".
awarded for valour, achievement and distinction. All but the lowest two grades are further divided into sub-classes.
Qing Dynasty
The Qing Dynasty was the last dynasty of China, ruling from 1644 to 1912 with a brief, abortive restoration in 1917. It was preceded by the Ming Dynasty and followed by the Republic of China....
(1644-1911) of China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
developed a complicated peerage system for ranking nobility. All titles were to be inherited by a noble's eldest son, but always one grade lower. There were instances, however, where an emperor approved of a title being hereditary (i.e. inherited by the bearer's descendants over generations). This was regarded as an honour by the bearer of the title. Princes of the imperial clan were allowed to pass on their titles to their descendants without having the grades of their titles reduced. These princes were known as "Iron Cap Princes".
Direct male descendants
The following titles were granted solely to direct male-line descendants of an emperor:- Heshuo Qinwang ' onMouseout='HidePop("7902")' href="/topics/Manchu_language">ManchuManchu languageManchu is a Tungusic endangered language spoken in Northeast China; it used to be the language of the Manchu, though now most Manchus speak Mandarin Chinese and there are fewer than 70 native speakers of Manchu out of a total of nearly 10 million ethnic Manchus...
: Hošoi Cin Wang), commonly simplified to Qinwang, translated as "Prince of the First Rank" or "Prince of the Blood". "Heshuo" ("Hošoi") means "four corners, four sides" in Manchu.- Shizi refers to the heir apparent to a Qinwang.
- Duoluo Junwang ' onMouseout='HidePop("57273")' href="/topics/Manchu_language">ManchuManchu languageManchu is a Tungusic endangered language spoken in Northeast China; it used to be the language of the Manchu, though now most Manchus speak Mandarin Chinese and there are fewer than 70 native speakers of Manchu out of a total of nearly 10 million ethnic Manchus...
: Doroi Giyūn Wang), commonly simplified to Junwang, translated as "Prince of the Second Rank" or "Prince of a Commandery".- Zhangzi refers to the heir apparent to a Junwang.
- Duoluo Beile ' onMouseout='HidePop("30703")' href="/topics/Manchu_language">ManchuManchu languageManchu is a Tungusic endangered language spoken in Northeast China; it used to be the language of the Manchu, though now most Manchus speak Mandarin Chinese and there are fewer than 70 native speakers of Manchu out of a total of nearly 10 million ethnic Manchus...
: Doroi Beile), means "Lord" in Manchu, commonly simplified to Beile. It was usually granted to the son of a Qinwang or Junwang.
- Gushan Beizi ' onMouseout='HidePop("80074")' href="/topics/Manchu_language">ManchuManchu languageManchu is a Tungusic endangered language spoken in Northeast China; it used to be the language of the Manchu, though now most Manchus speak Mandarin Chinese and there are fewer than 70 native speakers of Manchu out of a total of nearly 10 million ethnic Manchus...
: Gūsai Beise), commonly simplified to Beizi. The "Gushan" ("Gūsai") means "banner" in Manchu, a reference to either of the Eight BannersEight BannersThe Eight Banners were administrative divisions into which all Manchu families were placed. They provided the basic framework for the Manchu military organization...
. "Beizi" ("Beise") is the plural form of "Beile", but since 1636 "Beile" and "Beizi" are used to refer to two different grades of nobility.
Female members
The following titles were granted to female members of the imperial clan:- Gulun Gongzhu , translated as "Kurun Princess" or "Princess of the First Rank". It was usually granted to a princess born to an empress. "Gulun" means "under Heaven" in Manchu.
- Heshuo Gongzhu ' onMouseout='HidePop("78817")' href="/topics/Manchu_language">ManchuManchu languageManchu is a Tungusic endangered language spoken in Northeast China; it used to be the language of the Manchu, though now most Manchus speak Mandarin Chinese and there are fewer than 70 native speakers of Manchu out of a total of nearly 10 million ethnic Manchus...
: Hošoi Gungju), translated as "Heshuo Princess" or "Princess of the Second Rank". It was usually granted to a princess born to a consort or concubine. "Heshuo" ("Hošoi") means "four corners, four sides" in Manchu.
- Junzhu , translated as "Princess of a Commandery". It was usually granted to a princess born to a Qinwang or Junwang.
Other titles
Other titles granted to members of the imperial clan include:- Guo Gong , translated as "National Duke". It was divided into two sub-grades as follows:
- Feng'en Zhenguo Gong ' onMouseout='HidePop("26933")' href="/topics/Manchu_language">ManchuManchu languageManchu is a Tungusic endangered language spoken in Northeast China; it used to be the language of the Manchu, though now most Manchus speak Mandarin Chinese and there are fewer than 70 native speakers of Manchu out of a total of nearly 10 million ethnic Manchus...
: Kesi-be Tuwakiyara Gurun-be Dalire Gung), translated as "Duke Who Receives Grace and Guards the Nation", simplified to "Duke Who Guards the Nation". - Feng'en Fuguo Gong ' onMouseout='HidePop("76304")' href="/topics/Manchu_language">ManchuManchu languageManchu is a Tungusic endangered language spoken in Northeast China; it used to be the language of the Manchu, though now most Manchus speak Mandarin Chinese and there are fewer than 70 native speakers of Manchu out of a total of nearly 10 million ethnic Manchus...
: Kesi-be Tuwakiyara Gurun-de Aisilara Gung), translated as "Duke Who Receives Grace and Assists the Nation", simplified to "Duke Who Assists the Nation".
- Feng'en Zhenguo Gong ' onMouseout='HidePop("26933")' href="/topics/Manchu_language">Manchu
- Jiangjun , translated as "General". It was divided into four sub-grades, with each further segmented into sub-classes. Two examples of "General" titles are listed as follows:
- Zhenguo Jiangjun , translated as "General Who Guards the Nation".
- Fuguo Jiangjun , translated as "General Who Assists the Nation".
- Efu or Fuma , translated as "Prince Consort". It was usually granted to the spouse of a princess.
Nobility
The following are the nine grades of the peeragePeerage
The Peerage is a legal system of largely hereditary titles in the United Kingdom, which constitute the ranks of British nobility and is part of the British honours system...
awarded for valour, achievement and distinction. All but the lowest two grades are further divided into sub-classes.
- Min Gong , commonly simplified to Gong, translated as "Duke". The title of Gong was granted to commoners while Guo Gong was reserved only for members of the imperial clan.
- Hou , translated as "Marquis" or "Marquess".
- Bo , translated as "Count".
- Zi , translated as "Viscount".
- Nan , translated as "Baron".
- Qingche Duwei , rough equivalent of Knight Grand CrossKnight Grand CrossKnight Grand Cross is the most senior grade of seven British orders of chivalry, three of which are obsolete. The rank entails admission into knighthood, allowing the recipient to use the title 'Sir' or 'Dame' before his or her name...
of a chivalric orderChivalric orderChivalric orders are societies and fellowships of knights that have been created by European monarchs in imitation of the military orders of the Crusades...
. - Qiduwei , rough equivalent of Knight CommanderKnight CommanderKnight Commander is the second most senior grade of seven British orders of chivalry, three of which are dormant . The rank entails admission into knighthood, allowing the recipient to use the title 'Sir' or 'Dame' before his or her name...
or Grand Officer of a chivalric order. - Yunqiwei , rough equivalent of Companion or Commander of a chivalric order.
- Enqiwei , rough equivalent of Officer of a chivalric order.