Three August Ones and Five Emperors
Encyclopedia
The Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors were a group of semi- mythological
rulers and culture heroes from ancient China
during the period circa 2500 BC to 2100 BC. This period preceded the Xia Dynasty
.
In myth, the three sovereigns were demigods who used their abilities to help create mankind and impart essential skills and knowledge. The five emperors were exemplary sages possessed of great moral character.
The three sovereigns may therefore refer to Fuxi (伏羲), Nüwa
(女媧), Shennong
(神農), Suiren
(燧人), or even the Yellow Emperor
(黄帝).
texts. The Yellow Emperor
is supposedly the ancestor of all Huaxia
race of people. The Mausoleum of the Yellow Emperor
was established in Shaanxi Province to commemorate the ancestry legend.
creator generally include Pangu
in the mythology. After his death his left eye became the sun, while the right eye became the moon. Different parts of his body became the world. There is also the legend of the Four shi (四氏) who took part in creating the world. The four members are Youchao
-shi (有巢氏), Suiren
-shi (燧人氏), Fu Xi-shi (伏羲氏), and Shennong
-shi (神農氏).
culture. Also is the discovery of medicine, invention of calendar and the Chinese script. After this era, Yu the Great
founded the Xia dynasty
.
Chinese mythology
Chinese mythology is a collection of cultural history, folktales, and religions that have been passed down in oral or written tradition. These include creation myths and legends and myths concerning the founding of Chinese culture and the Chinese state...
rulers and culture heroes from ancient 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...
during the period circa 2500 BC to 2100 BC. This period preceded the Xia Dynasty
Xia Dynasty
The Xia Dynasty is the first dynasty in China to be described in ancient historical chronicles such as Bamboo Annals, Classic of History and Records of the Grand Historian. The Xia Dynasty was established by the legendary Yu the Great after Shun, the last of the Five Emperors gave his throne to him...
.
In myth, the three sovereigns were demigods who used their abilities to help create mankind and impart essential skills and knowledge. The five emperors were exemplary sages possessed of great moral character.
Variations
Depending on the source, there are many variations of who classifies as the three sovereigns or the five emperors. There are six to seven known variations. Many of the sources listed below were written from much later dynasties.The three sovereigns may therefore refer to Fuxi (伏羲), Nüwa
Nüwa
Nüwa is a goddess in ancient Chinese mythology best known for creating mankind and repairing the wall of heaven.-Primary sources:...
(女媧), Shennong
Shennong
Shennong , which names mean "Divine Farmer", but also known as the Emperor of the Five Grains , was a legendary ruler of China and culture hero reputed to have lived some 5,000 years ago...
(神農), Suiren
Suiren
Suiren , is the discoverer of Fire, according to China's ancient legend. It is said he is one of The Three August Ones in remote ancient China. From his depictions, he apparently had three eyes....
(燧人), or even the Yellow Emperor
Yellow Emperor
The Yellow Emperor or Huangdi1 is a legendary Chinese sovereign and culture hero, included among the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors. Tradition holds that he reigned from 2697–2597 or 2696–2598 BC...
(黄帝).
Three sovereigns variation
The Three Sovereigns, sometimes known as the Three August Ones, were said to be god-kings or demigods who used their magical powers to improve the lives of their people. Because of their lofty virtue, they lived to a great age and ruled over a period of great peace. The Three Sovereigns are ascribed various identities in different Chinese historicalHistory of China
Chinese civilization originated in various regional centers along both the Yellow River and the Yangtze River valleys in the Neolithic era, but the Yellow River is said to be the Cradle of Chinese Civilization. With thousands of years of continuous history, China is one of the world's oldest...
texts. The Yellow Emperor
Yellow Emperor
The Yellow Emperor or Huangdi1 is a legendary Chinese sovereign and culture hero, included among the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors. Tradition holds that he reigned from 2697–2597 or 2696–2598 BC...
is supposedly the ancestor of all Huaxia
Huaxia
Huaxia is a name often used to represent China or Chinese civilization.-Etymology:According to the historical record, Zuo Zhuan, the ancient Xia Dynasty of central China was a state that held propriety and justice in high esteem...
race of people. The Mausoleum of the Yellow Emperor
Mausoleum of the Yellow Emperor
The Mausoleum of Yellow Emperor is the burial site of the Chinese legendary Yellow Emperor, located in Huangling County, Yan'an City, Shaanxi Province, China. According to legend, the Yellow Emperor attained immortality and was taken up to heaven, leaving behind only his clothing and cap to be...
was established in Shaanxi Province to commemorate the ancestry legend.
| According to source | Three sovereigns |
|---|---|
| Records of the Grand Historian Records of the Grand Historian The Records of the Grand Historian, also known in English by the Chinese name Shiji , written from 109 BC to 91 BC, was the Magnum opus of Sima Qian, in which he recounted Chinese history from the time of the Yellow Emperor until his own time... (史記), addition by Sima Zhen Sima Zhen Sima Zhen , courtesy name Zizheng , was a Chinese historian born in what is now Jiaozuo, Henan during the Tang Dynasty.Sima Zhen was one of the most important commentators on the Shiji... |
Heavenly Sovereign Heavenly Sovereign Heavenly Sovereign was the first Chinese legendary king after Pangu's era. According to Yiwen Leiju , he was the first in Three Sovereigns.-Biography:According to Book of History ,... (天皇), Earthly Sovereign Earthly Sovereign Earthly Sovereign was the second Chinese legendary king after Pangu's era. According to Yiwen Leiju , he was the second in Three Sovereigns.-Biography:According to Book of History ,... (地皇), Tai Sovereign Human Sovereign Human Sovereign was the third Chinese legendary king after Pangu's era. According to Yiwen Leiju , he was the third and last in Three Sovereigns.-Biography:According to Book of History ,... (泰皇) or Fu Xi (伏羲), Nüwa Nüwa Nüwa is a goddess in ancient Chinese mythology best known for creating mankind and repairing the wall of heaven.-Primary sources:... (女媧), Shennong Shennong Shennong , which names mean "Divine Farmer", but also known as the Emperor of the Five Grains , was a legendary ruler of China and culture hero reputed to have lived some 5,000 years ago... (神農) |
| Sovereign series (帝王世系) | Fu Xi (伏羲), Shennong Shennong Shennong , which names mean "Divine Farmer", but also known as the Emperor of the Five Grains , was a legendary ruler of China and culture hero reputed to have lived some 5,000 years ago... (神農), Yellow Emperor Yellow Emperor The Yellow Emperor or Huangdi1 is a legendary Chinese sovereign and culture hero, included among the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors. Tradition holds that he reigned from 2697–2597 or 2696–2598 BC... (黃帝) |
| The book of Lineages (世本) | Fu Xi (伏羲), Shennong Shennong Shennong , which names mean "Divine Farmer", but also known as the Emperor of the Five Grains , was a legendary ruler of China and culture hero reputed to have lived some 5,000 years ago... (神農), Yellow Emperor Yellow Emperor The Yellow Emperor or Huangdi1 is a legendary Chinese sovereign and culture hero, included among the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors. Tradition holds that he reigned from 2697–2597 or 2696–2598 BC... (黃帝) |
| Baihu Tongyi (白虎通義) | (1st variation) Fu Xi (伏羲), Shennong Shennong Shennong , which names mean "Divine Farmer", but also known as the Emperor of the Five Grains , was a legendary ruler of China and culture hero reputed to have lived some 5,000 years ago... (神農), Zhurong Zhu Rong (god) Zhu Rong is the Chinese god of fire and ruler of the southern hemisphere from pre-Qin mythology. He is depicted as a proud man clad in armor wielding a sword and riding on a large tiger. He was one of the gods that helped separate Heaven and Earth and set up Universal Order.He is most famous for... (祝融) (2nd variation) Fu Xi (伏羲), Shennong Shennong Shennong , which names mean "Divine Farmer", but also known as the Emperor of the Five Grains , was a legendary ruler of China and culture hero reputed to have lived some 5,000 years ago... (神農), Suiren Suiren Suiren , is the discoverer of Fire, according to China's ancient legend. It is said he is one of The Three August Ones in remote ancient China. From his depictions, he apparently had three eyes.... (燧人) |
| Fengsu TongYi Fengsu TongYi Fengsu Tongyi , or "Penetrating Customs", is a book written in about 195AD, by author Ying Shao, who lived during the later Eastern Han period... (風俗通皇霸) |
Fu Xi (伏羲), Nüwa Nüwa Nüwa is a goddess in ancient Chinese mythology best known for creating mankind and repairing the wall of heaven.-Primary sources:... (女媧), Shennong Shennong Shennong , which names mean "Divine Farmer", but also known as the Emperor of the Five Grains , was a legendary ruler of China and culture hero reputed to have lived some 5,000 years ago... (神農) |
| Yiwen Leiju Yiwen Leiju The Yiwen Leiju is a Chinese encyclopedia completed during the Tang Dynasty by the calligrapher Ouyang Xun.It was divided into 47 sections and many subsections. It covered all subjects and contains many quotations from older works, many long lost. It also cites its sources. It was completed by... (藝文類聚) |
Heavenly Sovereign Heavenly Sovereign Heavenly Sovereign was the first Chinese legendary king after Pangu's era. According to Yiwen Leiju , he was the first in Three Sovereigns.-Biography:According to Book of History ,... (天皇), Earthly Sovereign Earthly Sovereign Earthly Sovereign was the second Chinese legendary king after Pangu's era. According to Yiwen Leiju , he was the second in Three Sovereigns.-Biography:According to Book of History ,... (地皇); Human Sovereign Human Sovereign Human Sovereign was the third Chinese legendary king after Pangu's era. According to Yiwen Leiju , he was the third and last in Three Sovereigns.-Biography:According to Book of History ,... (人皇) |
| Tongjian Waiji (通鑑外紀) | Fu Xi (伏羲), Shennong Shennong Shennong , which names mean "Divine Farmer", but also known as the Emperor of the Five Grains , was a legendary ruler of China and culture hero reputed to have lived some 5,000 years ago... (神農), Gong Gong Gong Gong Gong Gong is a Chinese water god or sea monster, said to resemble a serpent or dragon. He is responsible for the great floods together with his associate, Xiang Yao , who had nine heads and the body of a snake.... (共工) |
| Chunqiu yundou shu (春秋運斗樞) Chunqiu yuanming bao (春秋元命苞) |
Fu Xi (伏羲), Nüwa Nüwa Nüwa is a goddess in ancient Chinese mythology best known for creating mankind and repairing the wall of heaven.-Primary sources:... (女媧), Shennong Shennong Shennong , which names mean "Divine Farmer", but also known as the Emperor of the Five Grains , was a legendary ruler of China and culture hero reputed to have lived some 5,000 years ago... (神農) |
| Shangshu dazhuan (尚書大傳) | Fu Xi (伏羲), Shennong Shennong Shennong , which names mean "Divine Farmer", but also known as the Emperor of the Five Grains , was a legendary ruler of China and culture hero reputed to have lived some 5,000 years ago... (神農), Suiren Suiren Suiren , is the discoverer of Fire, according to China's ancient legend. It is said he is one of The Three August Ones in remote ancient China. From his depictions, he apparently had three eyes.... (燧人) |
| Diwang shiji (帝王世紀) | Fu Xi (伏羲), Shennong Shennong Shennong , which names mean "Divine Farmer", but also known as the Emperor of the Five Grains , was a legendary ruler of China and culture hero reputed to have lived some 5,000 years ago... (神農), Yellow Emperor Yellow Emperor The Yellow Emperor or Huangdi1 is a legendary Chinese sovereign and culture hero, included among the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors. Tradition holds that he reigned from 2697–2597 or 2696–2598 BC... (黃帝) |
Five emperors variation
| According to source | Five emperors |
|---|---|
| Records of the Grand Historian Records of the Grand Historian The Records of the Grand Historian, also known in English by the Chinese name Shiji , written from 109 BC to 91 BC, was the Magnum opus of Sima Qian, in which he recounted Chinese history from the time of the Yellow Emperor until his own time... (史記) |
Yellow Emperor Yellow Emperor The Yellow Emperor or Huangdi1 is a legendary Chinese sovereign and culture hero, included among the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors. Tradition holds that he reigned from 2697–2597 or 2696–2598 BC... (黃帝), Zhuanxu Zhuanxu Zhuanxu , also known as Gaoyang is a mythological monarch of ancient China.A grandson of the Yellow Emperor, Zhuanxu led the Shi clan in an eastward migration to present-day Shandong, where intermarriages with the Dongyi clan enlarged and augmented their tribal influences... (顓頊), Emperor Ku Emperor Ku Kù , or Dì Kù , also known as Gāoxīn Shì , was a mythical Emperor of China during the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors period. He was the son of Jiăo Jí , the grandson of Shăohào and the great grandson of Huáng-dì , the Yellow Emperor. According to speculative dates he is supposed to have ruled... (嚳), Emperor Yao (堯), Shun (舜) |
| Sovereign series (帝王世系) | Shaohao Shaohao Shaohao , also known as Shao Hao, Jin Tian or Xuanxiao, was a Chinese emperor in 2600 BC. According to some traditions , he was, in some versions, one of the Five Emperors.... (少昊), Zhuanxu Zhuanxu Zhuanxu , also known as Gaoyang is a mythological monarch of ancient China.A grandson of the Yellow Emperor, Zhuanxu led the Shi clan in an eastward migration to present-day Shandong, where intermarriages with the Dongyi clan enlarged and augmented their tribal influences... (顓頊), Emperor Ku Emperor Ku Kù , or Dì Kù , also known as Gāoxīn Shì , was a mythical Emperor of China during the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors period. He was the son of Jiăo Jí , the grandson of Shăohào and the great grandson of Huáng-dì , the Yellow Emperor. According to speculative dates he is supposed to have ruled... (嚳), Emperor Yao (堯), Shun (舜) |
| Changes of Zhou (周易) | Taihao (太昊), Yan Emperor Yan Emperor The Yan Emperor, or Yandi was a legendary Han Chinese ruler who lived in pre-dynastic China. Modern scholarship has identified the Sheep's Head Mountains just north of Gaoping in Shanxi Province as his homeland and territory.... (炎帝), Yellow Emperor Yellow Emperor The Yellow Emperor or Huangdi1 is a legendary Chinese sovereign and culture hero, included among the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors. Tradition holds that he reigned from 2697–2597 or 2696–2598 BC... (黃帝), Emperor Yao (堯), Shun (舜) |
Creation myth
The first universeUniverse
The Universe is commonly defined as the totality of everything that exists, including all matter and energy, the planets, stars, galaxies, and the contents of intergalactic space. Definitions and usage vary and similar terms include the cosmos, the world and nature...
creator generally include Pangu
Pangu
Pangu was the first living being and the creator of all in Chinese mythology.- The Pangu legend:...
in the mythology. After his death his left eye became the sun, while the right eye became the moon. Different parts of his body became the world. There is also the legend of the Four shi (四氏) who took part in creating the world. The four members are Youchao
Youchao
Youchao , is the inventor of house and building, according to China's ancient mythology. It is said he is one of The Three August Ones in remote ancient China....
-shi (有巢氏), Suiren
Suiren
Suiren , is the discoverer of Fire, according to China's ancient legend. It is said he is one of The Three August Ones in remote ancient China. From his depictions, he apparently had three eyes....
-shi (燧人氏), Fu Xi-shi (伏羲氏), and Shennong
Shennong
Shennong , which names mean "Divine Farmer", but also known as the Emperor of the Five Grains , was a legendary ruler of China and culture hero reputed to have lived some 5,000 years ago...
-shi (神農氏).
Legacy
These mythical kings contributed to the gift of fire, building of houses, invention of farming, and the Yellow emperor's wife brought the invention of silkSilk
Silk is a natural protein fiber, some forms of which can be woven into textiles. The best-known type of silk is obtained from the cocoons of the larvae of the mulberry silkworm Bombyx mori reared in captivity...
culture. Also is the discovery of medicine, invention of calendar and the Chinese script. After this era, Yu the Great
Yu the Great
Yu the Great , was a legendary ruler of Ancient China famed for his introduction of flood control, inaugurating dynastic rule in China by founding the Xia Dynasty, and for his upright moral character....
founded the Xia dynasty
Xia Dynasty
The Xia Dynasty is the first dynasty in China to be described in ancient historical chronicles such as Bamboo Annals, Classic of History and Records of the Grand Historian. The Xia Dynasty was established by the legendary Yu the Great after Shun, the last of the Five Emperors gave his throne to him...
.