Three Lords and Five Emperors

In Beijing, there is a temple of the Ancient Emperors founded during the time of the Ming Empire. In it are stored as objects of worship tablets with the names of all the emperors of China, starting with the Three Augustus (they are also the three lords). Three August are considered the most influential leaders of the tribes who lived in China. Only one of them (the third) is considered a more or less authentically existing person, since written sources could not exist on the first two.

1. Taihao (Taihao), who had the nickname Feng (Feng) and received the title Fuxi. Legendary leader of the early Eastern tribes living in China. He was the first to teach people how to fish, hunt, raise cattle. He was also the one who invented the famous 8 trigrams, which later became the basis of the "Book of Changes" (I Ching).
2. Yan Di (Yandi), who had the nickname Jiang (Jiang) and received the title Shennong - "divine farmer". He was the legendary leader of the tribes that lived in the area of ​​the Jiang River (Jiang). His tribes later moved east along the Wei and Yellow River and settled in central China. It is believed that he taught people farming and invented the classic plow.
3. Huangdi, nicknamed Ji, who received the title Xuanyuan. He is worshiped as the “Father of human culture”, since it is believed that he invented writing, music, introduced the use of wheels and carts to culture, and invented arithmetic and medicine. He is the “Yellow Emperor”, this is a literal translation of the name Juan (“yellow”) Di (“emperor”).

According to the myths, Yan Di was the supreme deity, the sun god. However, he was never identified with the luminary. It was said that he possessed the "power of the sun." Subsequently, he gave up the place of the supreme deity to the new god who arrived on the fire dragon - Juan Di. At the same time, Huang Di appointed Yan Di as ruler of the South. Huang Di was much more active in interacting with people than Yan Di, and gave them a lot of knowledge (music, arithmetic, writing, transportation). Later, Yang Di tried to win the supreme throne from Huang Di, but without success, because in the war he was afraid to use the power of the Sun so as not to incinerate the whole earth. Subsequently, Jan Dee retired somewhere to the north and got lost there. According to myths, Juan Di lived in a rich palace, which he built where the dragon brought him - on Kunlun Mountain . Huang Di ruled for about 300 years and his reign ended when another fire-breathing dragon flew behind him and carried him to heaven with many witnesses.

The list of five emperors may vary depending on the source. According to the version of Sima Qian, this is Huang Di , Zhuan Xiu , Ku , Yao and Shun (黄帝 、 颛 顼 、 帝 喾 、 尧 、 舜).

According to the memorial plaques in the Temple of the Ancient Emperors, the five emperors are:

• Shao-hao (Shaohao), who received the title of Jintien. Son Juan Di (Yellow Emperor). He was the leader of the eastern tribes. He led two tribal migrations - to the west and then back to the east. The state flourished with him, and he was in power for about 80 years.
• Zhuanxu (Zhuanxu), who received the title of Gaoyang. Grandson of Huang Di (Yellow Emperor), nephew of Shaohao. In 20 years he became emperor, was in power for 78 years before his death. Invented a calendar based on the movement of celestial bodies.
• Di-ku (Diku), who received the title of Gaoxin (Gaoxin). He was the great-grandson of Juan Di (Yellow Emperor). It is often called the "White Emperor". When it flourished culture and, in particular, music. It is believed that he invented many of the musical instruments.
• Yao (Yao), who received the title Taotang (Taotang). Legendary and very respected emperor in China. He ruled the united tribes that inhabited China. He lived in a large but simple hut, for which he was very loved by the people. Official dates of government - 2356-2255 BC. er Chinese archaeologists have recently discovered the capital Yao. Yao became emperor at 20, reigned for 76 years, after which he transferred the throne to Shun and lived for another 28 years. He died when he was 119 years old. During his time there were colossal climatic shocks - a great drought and subsequently - a flood. The Chinese consider Yao and Shun the model of fair government.
• Shun (Shun), who received the title Yao-yu (Yaoyu) - the heir to Yao. He was a commoner, famous as a kind and intelligent man among his fellow villagers. When Yao gathered advisers and asked who could be given the throne of heaven, they advised him to pay attention to Shun. Yao gave Shun his two daughters and, after a while, handed him the throne. Shun was famous for fighting the consequences of the flood by creating a multitude of channels through which water could leave the earth. Shun ascended the throne when he was 53 and died at 100 years old. He appointed Yu. The Great as regent and successor, who founded the Xia dynasty .

The number of emperors is chosen equal to five under the influence of the theory of five primary elements or five elements - y-syn . Five elements are in constant struggle, during which they are endlessly mutually destroyed and re-create each other. Each emperor patronizes a certain element. When the element prevails, the ruling house thrives, when the element is defeated, the ruling house declines.

For example, in the beginning of the reign of Huang Di Nebo revealed a huge worm and grasshopper, as symbols of the elements of the Earth. Therefore, Huang Di preferred yellow color.

The epoch of the Three Lords and the Five Emperors (三皇 五帝) is mythical.

• List of Emperors of China