Dynasties in Chinese history

Dynasties in Chinese history, or Chinese dynasties, were hereditary monarchical regimes that ruled over China during much of its history. From the inauguration of dynastic rule by Yu the Great in circa 2070 BC to the abdication of the Xuantong Emperor on 12 February 1912 in the wake of the Xinhai Revolution, China was ruled by a series of successive dynasties.[lower-alpha 1] Dynasties of China were not limited to those established by ethnic Han—the dominant Chinese ethnic group—and its predecessor, the Huaxia tribal confederation, but also included those founded by non-Han peoples.[1]

Dividing Chinese history into periods ruled by dynasties is a common method of periodization utilized by scholars.[2] Accordingly, a dynasty may be used to delimit the era during which a family reigned, as well as to describe events, trends, personalities, artistic compositions, and artifacts of that period.[3] For example, a porcelain made during the Ming dynasty may be referred to as a "Ming porcelain".[4] The word "dynasty" is usually omitted when making such adjectival references.

Ruling for a total length of 789 years, the longest reigning dynasty of China was the Zhou dynasty, albeit it is divided into the Western Zhou and the Eastern Zhou in Chinese historiography, and its power was drastically reduced during the latter part of its rule.[5] The largest Chinese dynasty in terms of territorial size was either the Yuan dynasty or the Qing dynasty, depending on the historical source.[6][7][8][9][10]

Terminology

In the Chinese language, the character "cháo" (朝) originally meant "morning" and "today". Politically, the word is taken to refer to the regime of the incumbent ruler. The antonymic word is "yě" (野).

The following is a list of terms associated with the concept of dynasty in Chinese historiography:

• cháo (朝): a dynasty
• cháodài (朝代): an era corresponding to the rule of a dynasty
• wángcháo (王朝): while technically referring to royal dynasties, this term is often inaccurately applied to dynasties whose rulers held non-royal titles such as emperor[11]
• huángcháo (皇朝): generally used for imperial dynasties[11]

History

A depiction of Yu, the initiator of dynastic rule in China, by the Southern Song court painter Ma Lin.

A photograph of the Xuantong Emperor, widely considered to be the last legitimate monarch of China, taken in AD 1922.

Start of the Chinese dynastic system

As the founder of China's first dynasty, the Xia dynasty, Yu the Great is conventionally regarded as the inaugurator of dynastic rule in China.[12] In the Chinese dynastic system, sovereign rulers theoretically possessed absolute power and private ownership of everything within their realm.[13] This concept, known as jiā tiānxià (家天下; "All under Heaven belongs to the ruling family"), was in contrast to the pre-Xia notion of gōng tiānxià (公天下; "All under Heaven belongs to the public") whereby leadership succession was non-hereditary.[13][14]

Dynastic transition

The rise and fall of dynasties is a prominent feature of Chinese history. Some scholars have attempted to explain this phenomenon by attributing the success and failure of dynasties to the morality of the rulers, while others have focused on the tangible aspects of monarchical rule.[15] This method of explanation has come to be known as the dynastic cycle.[15][16][17]

Dynastic transitions (改朝換代; gǎi cháo huàn dài) in the history of China occurred primarily through two ways: military conquest and usurpation.[18] The supersession of the Liao dynasty by the Jin dynasty was achieved following a series of successful military campaigns, as was the later unification of China under the Yuan dynasty; on the other hand, the transition from the Eastern Han to the Cao Wei, as well as from the Southern Qi to the Liang dynasty, were cases of usurpation. Oftentimes, usurpers would seek to portray their predecessors as having relinquished the throne willingly—a process called shànràng (禪讓; "voluntary abdication")—as a means to legitimize their rule.[19]

One might incorrectly infer from viewing historical timelines that transitions between dynasties occurred abruptly and roughly. Rather, new dynasties were often established before the complete overthrow of an existing regime.[20] For example, AD 1644 is frequently cited as the year in which the Qing dynasty succeeded the Ming dynasty in possessing the Mandate of Heaven. However, the Qing dynasty was officially proclaimed in AD 1636 by the Emperor Taizong of Qing through renaming the Later Jin established by his father the Emperor Taizu of Qing in AD 1616, while the Ming imperial family would rule the Southern Ming until AD 1662.[21][22] The Ming loyalist Kingdom of Tungning based in Taiwan continued to oppose the Qing until AD 1683.[23] Meanwhile, other factions also fought for control over China during the Ming–Qing transition, most notably the Shun and Xi dynasties proclaimed by Li Zicheng and Zhang Xianzhong respectively.[24][25][26] This change of ruling houses was a convoluted and prolonged affair, and the Qing took almost two decades to extend their rule over the entirety of China proper.

Similarly, during the earlier Sui–Tang transition, numerous regimes established by rebel forces vied for control and legitimacy as the power of the ruling Sui dynasty weakened. Autonomous regimes that existed during this period of upheaval included, but not limited to, Wei (魏; by Li Mi), Qin (秦; by Xue Ju), Qi (齊; by Gao Tancheng), Xu (許; by Yuwen Huaji), Liang (梁; by Shen Faxing), Liang (梁; by Liang Shidu), Xia (夏; by Dou Jiande), Zheng (鄭; by Wang Shichong), Chu (楚; by Zhu Can), Chu (楚; by Lin Shihong), Yan (燕; by Gao Kaidao), and Song (宋; by Fu Gongshi). The Tang dynasty that superseded the Sui launched a decade-long military campaign to reunify China proper.[27]

According to Chinese historiographical tradition, each new dynasty would compose the history of the preceding dynasty, culminating in the Twenty-Four Histories.[28] This tradition was maintained even after the Xinhai Revolution overthrew the Qing dynasty in favor of the Republic of China. However, the attempt by the Republicans to draft the history of the Qing was disrupted by the Chinese Civil War, which resulted in the political division of China into the People's Republic of China on mainland China and the Republic of China on Taiwan.[29][30]

End of the Chinese dynastic system

Dynastic rule in China collapsed in AD 1912 when the Republic of China superseded the Qing dynasty following the success of the Xinhai Revolution.[31][32] While there were attempts after the Xinhai Revolution to reinstate dynastic rule in China, such as the Empire of China (AD 1915–1916) and the Manchu Restoration (AD 1917), they were unsuccessful at consolidating their rule and gaining political legitimacy.[33][34] Similarly, the Manchukuo (AD 1932–1945; monarchy since AD 1934), a puppet state of the Empire of Japan during World War II with limited diplomatic recognition, is not regarded as a legitimate regime.[35] Ergo, historians usually consider the abdication of the Xuantong Emperor on 12 February 1912 as the end of the Chinese dynastic system. Dynastic rule in China lasted almost four millennia.[31]

Political legitimacy

China was politically divided during multiple periods in its history, with different regions ruled by different dynasties. These dynasties effectively functioned as separate states with their own court and political institutions. Political division existed during the Three Kingdoms, the Sixteen Kingdoms, the Northern and Southern dynasties, and the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms periods, among others.

Relations between Chinese dynasties during periods of division often revolved around political legitimacy, which was derived from the doctrine of the Mandate of Heaven.[36] Dynasties ruled by ethnic Han would proclaim rival dynasties founded by other ethnicities as illegitimate, usually justified based on the concept of Hua–Yi distinction. On the other hand, many dynasties of non-Han origin saw themselves as the legitimate dynasty of China and often sought to portray themselves as the true inheritor of Chinese culture and history. Traditionally, only regimes deemed as "legitimate" or "orthodox" (正統; zhèngtǒng) are termed cháo (朝; "dynasty"); "illegitimate" or "unorthodox" regimes are referred to as guó (國; usually translated as either "state" or "kingdom"[lower-alpha 2]), even if these regimes were dynastic in nature.[37] The political legitimacy status of some of these dynasties remain contentious among modern scholars.

Such legitimacy dispute existed during the following periods:

• Three Kingdoms[38]
  • The Cao Wei, the Shu Han, and the Eastern Wu considered themselves legitimate while simultaneously denounced the rivaling claims of others
  • The Emperor Xian of Han abdicated in favor of the Emperor Wen of Cao Wei, hence the Cao Wei directly succeeded the Eastern Han in the timeline of Chinese history
  • The Western Jin accepted the Cao Wei as the legitimate dynasty of the Three Kingdoms period and claimed succession from it
  • The Tang dynasty viewed the Cao Wei as the legitimate dynasty during this period, whereas the Southern Song scholar Zhu Xi proposed treating the Shu Han as legitimate[39][40]
• Eastern Jin and Sixteen Kingdoms[41]
  • The Eastern Jin proclaimed itself to be legitimate
  • Several of the Sixteen Kingdoms such as the Han Zhao, the Later Zhao, and the Former Qin also claimed legitimacy
• Northern and Southern dynasties[42]
  • All dynasties during this period saw themselves as the legitimate representative of China; the Northern dynasties referred to their southern counterparts as "dǎoyí" (島夷; "island dwelling barbarians"), while the Southern dynasties called their northern neighbors "suǒlǔ" (索虜; "barbarians with braids")[43][44]
• Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms[45]
  • Having directly succeeded the Tang dynasty, the Later Liang considered itself to be a legitimate dynasty[45]
  • The Later Tang regarded itself as the restorer of the earlier Tang dynasty and rejected the legitimacy of its predecessor, the Later Liang[45]
  • The Later Jin accepted the Later Tang as a legitimate regime[45]
  • The Southern Tang was, for a period of time, considered the legitimate dynasty during the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period[45]
  • Modern historiography generally considers the Five Dynasties, as opposed to the contemporary Ten Kingdoms, to be legitimate[45][46]
• Liao dynasty, Song dynasty, and Jin dynasty[47]
  • Following the conquest of the Later Jin, the Liao dynasty claimed legitimacy and succession from it[48]
  • Both the Northern Song and Southern Song considered themselves to be the legitimate Chinese dynasty
  • The Jin dynasty challenged the Song's claim of legitimacy
  • The succeeding Yuan dynasty recognized all three in addition to the Western Liao as legitimate Chinese dynasties, culminating in the composition of the History of Liao, the History of Song, and the History of Jin[49][50][51]
• Ming dynasty and Northern Yuan[52]
  • The Ming dynasty recognized the preceding Yuan dynasty as a legitimate Chinese dynasty, but asserted that it had succeeded the Mandate of Heaven from the Yuan, thus considering the Northern Yuan as illegitimate
  • Northern Yuan rulers continued to claim the "Great Yuan" dynastic title and used Chinese imperial titles continuously until AD 1388; Chinese titles were restored on several occasions thereafter for brief periods
  • The Mongol historian Rashipunsug argued that the Northern Yuan had succeeded the legitimacy from the Yuan dynasty; the Qing dynasty, which later defeated and annexed the Northern Yuan, inherited this legitimacy, thus rendering the Ming as illegitimate[53]
• Qing dynasty and Southern Ming[54]
  • The Qing dynasty recognized the preceding Ming dynasty as legitimate, but asserted that it had succeeded the Mandate of Heaven from the Ming, thus refuting the claimed legitimacy of the Southern Ming
  • The Southern Ming continued to claim legitimacy until its eventual defeat by the Qing
  • The Ming loyalist Kingdom of Tungning in Taiwan denounced the Qing dynasty as illegitimate
  • The Joseon dynasty of Korea and the Later Lê dynasty of Vietnam had at various times considered the Southern Ming, instead of the Qing, as legitimate[55][56]

While periods of disunity often resulted in heated debates among officials and historians over which dynasty could and should be considered orthodox, the Northern Song statesman Ouyang Xiu propounded that such orthodoxy existed in a state of limbo during fragmented periods and was restored after political unification was achieved.[57] From this perspective, the Song dynasty possessed legitimacy by virtue of its ability to end the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period despite not having succeeded the orthodoxy from the Later Zhou. Similarly, Ouyang considered the concept of orthodoxy to be in oblivion during the Three Kingdoms, the Sixteen Kingdoms, and the Northern and Southern dynasties periods.[57]

As most Chinese historiographical sources uphold the idea of unilineal dynastic succession, only one dynasty could be considered orthodox at any given time.[46] Most modern sources consider the legitimate line of succession to be as follows:[46]

Xia dynasty → Shang dynasty → Western Zhou → Eastern Zhou → Qin dynasty → Western Han → Eastern Han → Cao Wei → Western Jin → Eastern Jin → Liu Song → Southern Qi → Liang dynasty → Chen dynasty → Sui dynasty → Tang dynasty → Later Liang → Later Tang → Later Jin → Later Han → Later Zhou → Northern Song → Southern Song → Yuan dynasty → Ming dynasty → Qing dynasty

These historical legitimacy disputes are similar to the modern competing claims of legitimacy by the People's Republic of China based in Beijing and the Republic of China based in Taipei. Both regimes formally adhere to the One-China policy and claim to be the sole legitimate representative of the whole of China.[58]

Dynasties with agnatic relations

The Emperor Guangwu of Han (top) and the Emperor Zhaolie of Shu Han (bottom) were members of the same family but are considered to be founders of two separate dynasties.

There were several groups of Chinese dynasties that were ruled by families with patrilineal relations, yet due to various reasons these regimes are considered to be separate dynasties and given separate retroactive names for historiographical purpose. Such conditions as differences in their official dynastic title and fundamental changes to their rule would create the need for nomenclatural distinction, despite these dynasties sharing common ancestral origins.

Additionally, numerous other dynasties claimed descent from earlier dynasties as a calculated political move to obtain or enhance their legitimacy, even if such claims were unfounded.

The agnatic relations of the following groups of Chinese dynasties are typically recognized by historians:

• Western Zhou and Eastern Zhou
  • The Western Zhou and the Eastern Zhou are collectively known as the Zhou dynasty[5][59]
  • The founder of the Eastern Zhou, the King Ping of Zhou, was a son of the last Western Zhou ruler, the King You of Zhou
• Western Han, Eastern Han, Shu Han, and Liu Song
  • The Western Han and the Eastern Han are collectively known as the Han dynasty[60]
  • The first emperor of the Eastern Han, the Emperor Guangwu of Han, was a ninth-generation descendant of the Western Han founder, the Emperor Gao of Han; he was also a seventh-generation descendant of the sixth Western Han monarch, the Emperor Jing of Han
  • The founder of the Shu Han, the Emperor Zhaolie of Shu Han, was also descended from the Emperor Jing of Han
  • The Book of Song states that the first Liu Song ruler, the Emperor Wu of Liu Song, was a male-line descendant of a younger brother of the Emperor Gao of Han, the Prince Yuan of Chu
• Western Jin and Eastern Jin
  • The Western Jin and the Eastern Jin are collectively known as the Jin dynasty[61]
  • The Eastern Jin founder, the Emperor Yuan of Jin, was a great-grandson of the Western Jin progenitor, the Emperor Xuan of Jin; he was also a grandson of the Prince Wu of Langya and a son of the Prince Gong of Langya
• Former Yan, Later Yan, and Southern Yan
  • The founder of the Later Yan, the Emperor Chengwu of Later Yan, was a son of the Former Yan founder, the Emperor Wenming of Former Yan
  • The first monarch of the Southern Yan, the Emperor Xianwu of Southern Yan, was also a son of the Emperor Wenming of Former Yan
• Western Liang and Tang dynasty
  • The founder of the Tang dynasty, the Emperor Gaozu of Tang, was a seventh-generation descendant of the Western Liang founder, the Prince Wuzhao of Western Liang
• Northern Wei, Eastern Wei, and Western Wei
  • The only ruler of the Eastern Wei, the Emperor Xiaojing of Eastern Wei, was a great-grandson of the seventh emperor of the Northern Wei, the Emperor Xiaowen of Northern Wei
  • The Western Wei founder, the Emperor Wen of Western Wei, was a grandson of the Emperor Xiaowen of Northern Wei
• Southern Qi and Liang dynasty
  • The founder of the Liang dynasty, the Emperor Wu of Liang, was a son of the Emperor Wen of Liang who was a distant cousin of the Southern Qi founder, the Emperor Gao of Southern Qi
• Later Han and Northern Han
  • The first ruler of the Northern Han, the Emperor Shizu of Northern Han, was a younger brother of the Later Han founder, the Emperor Gaozu of Later Han
• Liao dynasty and Western Liao
  • The Western Liao founder, the Emperor Dezong of Western Liao, was an eighth-generation descendant of the first emperor of the Liao dynasty, the Emperor Taizu of Liao
• Northern Song and Southern Song
  • The Northern Song and the Southern Song are collectively known as the Song dynasty[62]
  • The first ruler of the Southern Song, the Emperor Gaozong of Song, was a son of the eighth Northern Song monarch, the Emperor Huizong of Song; he was also a younger brother of the last Northern Song emperor, the Emperor Qinzong of Song
• Yuan dynasty and Northern Yuan
  • The first ruler of the Northern Yuan, the Emperor Huizong of Yuan, was the same person as the last emperor of the Yuan dynasty
• Ming dynasty and Southern Ming
  • The Southern Ming founder, the Hongguang Emperor, was a grandson of the 14th emperor of the Ming dynasty, the Wanli Emperor
• Later Jin and Qing dynasty
  • The first emperor of the Qing dynasty, the Emperor Taizong of Qing, was the same person as the last Later Jin khan

Classification of dynasties

A German map of the Chinese Empire during the height of the Qing dynasty. The Qing dynasty is considered to be a "Central Plain dynasty", a "unified dynasty", and a "conquest dynasty".

Central Plain dynasties

The Central Plain is a vast area on the lower reaches of the Yellow River which formed the cradle of Chinese civilization. "Central Plain dynasties" (中原王朝; Zhōngyuán wángcháo) refer to dynasties of China that had their capital cities situated within the Central Plain.[63] This term could refer to dynasties of both Han and non-Han ethnic origins.[63]

Unified dynasties

"Unified dynasties" (大一統王朝; dàyītǒng wángcháo) refer to dynasties of China, regardless of their ethnic origin, that achieved the unification of China proper. "China proper" is a region generally regarded as the traditional heartland of the Han people, and is not equivalent to the term "China". Imperial dynasties that had unified China proper may be known as the "Chinese Empire" or the "Empire of China" (中華帝國; Zhōnghuá Dìguó).[64][65]

The concept of "great unity" or "grand unification" (大一統; dàyītǒng) was first mentioned in the Chinese classical text Gongyang Commentary on the Spring and Autumn Annals that was supposedly authored by the Qi scholar Gongyang Gao.[66][67][68] Other prominent figures like Confucius and Mencius also touched upon this concept in their respective works.[69][70]

Historians typically consider the following dynasties to have unified China proper: the Qin dynasty, the Western Han, the Xin dynasty, the Eastern Han, the Western Jin, the Sui dynasty, the Tang dynasty, the Wu Zhou, the Northern Song, the Yuan dynasty, the Ming dynasty, and the Qing dynasty.[71][72] The status of the Northern Song as a unified dynasty is disputed among historians as the Sixteen Prefectures of Yan and Yun were partially administered by the contemporaneous Liao dynasty while the Western Xia exercised partial control over Hetao; the Northern Song, in this sense, did not truly achieve the unification of China proper.[71][73]

Conquest dynasties

Main article: Conquest dynasty

"Conquest dynasties" (征服王朝; zhēngfú wángcháo) refer to dynasties of China founded by non-Han peoples that ruled parts or all of China proper.[74] This term was first coined by the historian and sinologist Karl August Wittfogel and remains a source of controversy among scholars who believe that Chinese history should be analyzed and understood from a multiethnic and multicultural perspective.[75] For instance, the Northern Wei and the Qing dynasty, established by the Xianbei and Manchu ethnicities respectively, are considered conquest dynasties of China.[74]

Naming convention

Official dynastic name

It was customary for Chinese monarchs to adopt an official name for the realm, known as the guóhào (國號; "name of the state"), upon the establishment of a dynasty.[76][77] During the rule of a dynasty, its guóhào functioned as the formal name of the state, both internally and for diplomatic purposes.

The formal name of Chinese dynasties was usually derived from one the following sources:

• The name of the ruling tribe or tribal confederation[78][79]
  • e.g., the Xia dynasty took its name from its ruling class, the Xia tribal confederation[78]
• The noble title held by the dynastic founder prior to the founding of the dynasty[78][79]
  • e.g., the Emperor Wu of Chen adopted the dynastic name "Chen" from his pre-imperial title, the Prince of Chen, upon the establishment of the Chen dynasty[80]
• The name of a historical state that occupied the same geographical location as the new dynasty[79][81]
  • e.g., the Former Yan was officially named "Yan" based on the ancient State of Yan located in the same region[81]
• The name of a previous dynasty from which the new dynasty claimed descent or succession from, even if such familial link was questionable[79]
  • e.g., the Emperor Taizu of Later Zhou officially proclaimed the Later Zhou with the official title "Zhou" as he claimed ancestry from Guo Shu, a royal of the Zhou dynasty[82]
• A term with auspicious or other significant connotations[78][79]
  • e.g., the Yuan dynasty was officially the "Great Yuan", a name derived from a clause in the Classic of Changes, "dà zāi Qián Yuán" (大哉乾元; "Great is the Heavenly and Primal")[83]

There were instances whereby the official name was changed during the reign of a dynasty. For example, the dynasty known retroactively as Southern Han (南漢) initially used the name "Yue" (越), only to be renamed to "Han" (漢) subsequently.[84]

The official title of several dynasties bore the character "dà" (大; "great"). In Yongzhuang Xiaopin by the Ming historian Zhu Guozhen, it was claimed that the first dynasty to do so was the Yuan dynasty.[85][86] However, several sources like the History of Liao and the History of Jin compiled by the Yuan historian Toqto'a revealed that the official dynastic name of some earlier dynasties such as the Liao and the Jin also contained the character "dà".[87][88] It was also common for officials, subjects, or vassal states of a particular dynasty to include the term "dà" (or an equivalent term in other languages) when referring to this dynasty as a form of respect, even if the official dynastic name did not include it.[86] For instance, the Japanese historical text Nihon Shoki referred to the Tang dynasty as "Ōkara" (大唐; "Great Tang") despite its dynastic name being simply "Tang".

While all dynasties of China sought to associate their respective realm with Zhōngguó (中國; "Central State"; usually translated as "Middle Kingdom" or "China" in English texts), none of these regimes officially used the term as their dynastic name.[89][90] Although the Qing dynasty explicitly identified their state with and employed "Zhōngguó"—and its Manchu equivalent "Dulimbai Gurun"—in official capacity in numerous international treaties beginning with the Treaty of Nerchinsk of 1689, its dynastic name had remained the "Great Qing".[91][92] "Zhōngguó", which has become nearly synonymous with "China" in modern times, is a concept with geographical, political, and cultural connotations.[93]

The adoption of guóhào, as well as the importance assigned to it, had promulgated within the Sinosphere. Notably, rulers of Vietnam and Korea also declared guóhào for their respective realm.

Retroactive dynastic name

In Chinese historiography, historians generally do not refer to dynasties by their official name. Instead, historiographical names, which were most commonly derived from their guóhào, are used. For instance, the Sui dynasty (隋朝) is known as such because its formal name was "Sui" (隋). Likewise, the Jin dynasty (金朝) was officially the "Great Jin" (大金).

When more than one dynasty shared the same Chinese character(s) as their formal name, as was common in Chinese history, prefixes are retroactively applied to dynastic names by historians in order to distinguish between these similarly-named regimes.[2][94][95] Frequently used prefixes include:

• Cardinal direction
  • "Northern" (北; běi): e.g., Northern Qi (北齊), Northern Yuan (北元)
  • "Southern" (南; nán): e.g., Southern Yan (南燕), Southern Tang (南唐)
  • "Eastern" (東; dōng): e.g., Eastern Jin (東晉), Eastern Wei (東魏)
  • "Western" (西; xī): e.g., Western Liang (西涼), Western Liao (西遼)
• Sequence
  • "Former" (前; qián): e.g., Former Qin (前秦), Former Shu (前蜀)
  • "Later"[lower-alpha 3] (後; hòu): e.g., Later Zhao (後趙), Later Han (後漢)
• Surname of the ruling family
  • e.g., Wu Zhou (武周), Ma Chu (馬楚)
• Other types of prefixes
  • e.g., Shu Han (蜀漢; the prefix "Shu" is a reference to the realm's geographical location at Sichuan), Hu Xia (胡夏; the prefix "Hu", meaning "barbarian", refers to the dynasty's Xiongnu origin)

A dynasty could be referred to by more than one retroactive name in Chinese historiography, albeit some are more widely used than others. For instance, the Western Han (西漢) is also known as the "Former Han" (前漢), and the Yang Wu (楊吳) is also called the "Southern Wu" (南吳).[99][100]

Scholars usually make a historiographical distinction for dynasties whose rule were interrupted. For example, the Song dynasty is divided into the Northern Song and the Southern Song, with the Jingkang Incident as the dividing line; the original "Song" founded by the Emperor Taizu of Song was therefore differentiated from the "Song" restored under the Emperor Gaozong of Song.[101] In such cases, the regime had collapsed, only to be re-established; a nomenclatural distinction between the original regime and the new regime is thus necessary for historiographical purpose. Major exceptions to this historiographical practice include the Western Qin and the Tang dynasty, which were interrupted by the Later Qin and the Wu Zhou respectively.[102][103]

In Chinese sources, the term "dynasty" (朝; cháo) is usually omitted when referencing dynasties that have prefixes in their historiographical names. Such a practice is sometimes adopted in English usage, even though the inclusion of the word "dynasty" is also widely seen in English scholarly writings. For example, the Northern Zhou is also sometimes referred to as the "Northern Zhou dynasty".[104]

Territorial extent

Approximate territories controlled by the various dynasties and states throughout Chinese history, juxtaposed with the modern Chinese border.

While the earliest Chinese dynasties were established along the Yellow River and the Yangtze River in China proper, numerous Chinese dynasties later expanded beyond the region to encompass other territorial domains.[105][106][107][108][109][110][111][112][113][114][115][116][117]

At various points in time, Chinese dynasties exercised control over China proper (including Hainan, Macau, and Hong Kong),[105][106][107] Taiwan,[108] Manchuria (both Inner Manchuria and Outer Manchuria),[109][110] Sakhalin,[111][112] Mongolia (both Inner Mongolia and Outer Mongolia),[110][113] Vietnam,[110][114] Tibet,[109] Xinjiang,[115] as well as parts of Central Asia,[111] the Korean Peninsula,[110][116] Afghanistan,[117][118] and Siberia.[110] Territorially, the largest Chinese dynasty was either the Yuan dynasty or the Qing dynasty, depending on the historical source.[6][7][8][9][10]

Apart from exerting direct control over the Chinese realm, various dynasties of China also maintained hegemony over other states and tribes through the Chinese tributary system.[119] The Chinese tributary system first emerged during the Western Han and lasted until the 19th century AD when the Sinocentric order broke down.[120][121]

The modern territorial claims of both the People's Republic of China and the Republic of China are inherited from the lands once held by the Qing dynasty at the time of its collapse.[10][122][123][124][125]

List of major Chinese dynasties

This list includes only the major dynasties of China that are typically found in simplified forms of Chinese historical timelines. This list is neither comprehensive nor representative of Chinese history as a whole.

	Dynasty		Ruling house			Period of rule		Rulers
	Name[lower-alpha 4] (English / Chinese[lower-alpha 5] / Pinyin[lower-alpha 6] / Bopomofo)	Origin of name	Surname (English / Chinese[lower-alpha 5])	Ethnicity[lower-alpha 7]	Status[lower-alpha 8]	Year	Term	Founder[lower-alpha 9]	Last monarch	List
Semi-legendary
	Xia dynasty 夏朝 Xià Cháo ㄒㄧㄚˋ ㄔㄠˊ	Tribal name	Si[lower-alpha 10] 姒	Huaxia	Royal	2070–1600 BC[lower-alpha 11][lower-alpha 12][lower-alpha 13][133]	430 years[lower-alpha 12][lower-alpha 13]	Yu of Xia	Jie of Xia	(list)
Ancient China
	Shang dynasty 商朝 Shāng Cháo ㄕㄤ ㄔㄠˊ	Toponym	Zi 子	Huaxia	Royal	1600–1046 BC[lower-alpha 11][lower-alpha 14][135]	554 years[lower-alpha 14]	Tang of Shang	Zhou of Shang	(list)
	Western Zhou[lower-alpha 15] 西周 Xī Zhōu ㄒㄧ ㄓㄡ	Toponym	Ji 姬	Huaxia	Royal	1046–771 BC[lower-alpha 11][lower-alpha 16][136]	275 years[lower-alpha 16]	Wu of Zhou	You of Zhou	(list)
	Eastern Zhou[lower-alpha 15] 東周 Dōng Zhōu ㄉㄨㄥ ㄓㄡ	From Zhou dynasty	Ji 姬	Huaxia	Royal	770–256 BC[136]	514 years	Ping of Zhou	Nan of Zhou	(list)
Early Imperial China[lower-alpha 17]
	Qin dynasty 秦朝 Qín Cháo ㄑㄧㄣˊ ㄔㄠˊ	Toponym	Ying[lower-alpha 18] 嬴	Huaxia	Imperial (221–207 BC) Royal (207 BC)	221–207 BC[138]	14 years	Qin Shi Huang	Qin San Shi	(list)
	Western Han[lower-alpha 19] 西漢 Xī Hàn ㄒㄧ ㄏㄢˋ	Toponym & Noble title	Liu 劉	Han	Imperial	202 BC–AD 9[lower-alpha 20][140]	211 years[lower-alpha 20]	Gao of Han	Liu Ying	(list)
	Xin dynasty 新朝 Xīn Cháo ㄒㄧㄣ ㄔㄠˊ	"New"	Wang 王	Han	Imperial	AD 9–23[141]	14 years	Wang Mang	Wang Mang	(list)
	Eastern Han[lower-alpha 19] 東漢 Dōng Hàn ㄉㄨㄥ ㄏㄢˋ	From Han dynasty	Liu 劉	Han	Imperial	AD 25–220[142]	195 years	Guangwu of Han	Xian of Han	(list)
	Three Kingdoms 三國 Sān Guó ㄙㄢ ㄍㄨㄛˊ					AD 220–280[143]	60 years			(list)
	Cao Wei 曹魏 Cáo Wèi ㄘㄠˊ ㄨㄟˋ	Noble title	Cao 曹	Han	Imperial	AD 220–266[144]	46 years	Wen of Cao Wei	Yuan of Cao Wei	(list)
	Shu Han 蜀漢 Shǔ Hàn ㄕㄨˇ ㄏㄢˋ	From Han dynasty	Liu 劉	Han	Imperial	AD 221–263[145]	42 years	Zhaolie of Shu Han	Xiaohuai of Shu Han	(list)
	Eastern Wu 東吳 Dōng Wú ㄉㄨㄥ ㄨˊ	Noble title	Sun 孫	Han	Royal (AD 222–229) Imperial (AD 229–280)	AD 222–280[146]	58 years	Da of Eastern Wu	Sun Hao	(list)
	Western Jin[lower-alpha 21][lower-alpha 22] 西晉 Xī Jìn ㄒㄧ ㄐㄧㄣˋ	Noble title	Sima 司馬	Han	Imperial	AD 266–316[147]	50 years	Wu of Jin	Min of Jin	(list)
	Eastern Jin[lower-alpha 21][lower-alpha 22] 東晉 Dōng Jìn ㄉㄨㄥ ㄐㄧㄣˋ	From Jin dynasty (AD 266–420)	Sima 司馬	Han	Imperial	AD 317–420[148]	103 years	Yuan of Jin	Gong of Jin	(list)
	Sixteen Kingdoms 十六國 Shíliù Guó ㄕˊ ㄌㄧㄡˋ ㄍㄨㄛˊ					AD 304–439[149]	135 years			(list)
	Han Zhao 漢趙 Hàn Zhào ㄏㄢˋ ㄓㄠˋ	Toponym & From Han dynasty	Liu[lower-alpha 23] 劉	Xiongnu	Royal (AD 304–308) Imperial (AD 308–329)	AD 304–329[152]	25 years	Guangwen of Han Zhao	Liu Yao	(list)
	Cheng Han 成漢 Chéng Hàn ㄔㄥˊ ㄏㄢˋ	Toponym & From Han dynasty	Li 李	Di	Princely (AD 304–306) Imperial (AD 306–347)	AD 304–347[lower-alpha 24][154]	43 years[lower-alpha 24]	Wu of Cheng Han[lower-alpha 24]	Li Shi	(list)
	Later Zhao 後趙 Hòu Zhào ㄏㄡˋ ㄓㄠˋ	Noble title	Shi 石	Jie	Royal (AD 319–330) Imperial (AD 330–351) Princely (AD 351)	AD 319–351[155]	32 years	Ming of Later Zhao	Shi Zhi	(list)
	Former Liang 前涼 Qián Liáng ㄑㄧㄢˊ ㄌㄧㄤˊ	Toponym	Zhang 張	Han	Princely (AD 320–354; AD 355–363) Imperial (AD 354–355) Ducal (AD 363–376)	AD 320–376[156]	56 years	Cheng of Former Liang	Dao of Former Liang	(list)
	Former Yan 前燕 Qián Yān ㄑㄧㄢˊ ㄧㄢ	Toponym	Murong 慕容	Xianbei	Princely (AD 337–353) Imperial (AD 353–370)	AD 337–370[157]	33 years	Wenming of Former Yan	You of Former Yan	(list)
	Former Qin 前秦 Qián Qín ㄑㄧㄢˊ ㄑㄧㄣˊ	Toponym	Fu[lower-alpha 25] 苻	Di	Imperial	AD 351–394[lower-alpha 26][157]	43 years[lower-alpha 26]	Jingming of Former Qin[lower-alpha 26]	Fu Chong	(list)
	Later Yan 後燕 Hòu Yān ㄏㄡˋ ㄧㄢ	From Former Yan	Murong[lower-alpha 27][lower-alpha 28] 慕容	Xianbei[lower-alpha 28]	Princely (AD 384–386) Imperial (AD 386–409)	AD 384–409[lower-alpha 29][162]	25 years[lower-alpha 29]	Chengwu of Later Yan	Zhaowen of Later Yan or Huiyi of Yan[lower-alpha 30]	(list)
	Later Qin 後秦 Hòu Qín ㄏㄡˋ ㄑㄧㄣˊ	Toponym	Yao 姚	Qiang	Royal (AD 384–386) Imperial (AD 386–417)	AD 384–417[163]	33 years	Wuzhao of Later Qin	Yao Hong	(list)
	Western Qin 西秦 Xī Qín ㄒㄧ ㄑㄧㄣˊ	Toponym	Qifu 乞伏	Xianbei	Princely	AD 385–400; AD 409–431[164]	37 years[lower-alpha 31]	Xuanlie of Western Qin	Qifu Mumo	(list)
	Later Liang[lower-alpha 32] 後涼 Hòu Liáng ㄏㄡˋ ㄌㄧㄤˊ	Toponym	Lü 呂	Di	Ducal (AD 386–389) Princely (AD 389–396) Imperial (AD 396–403)	AD 386–403[165]	17 years	Yiwu of Later Liang	Lü Long	(list)
	Southern Liang 南涼 Nán Liáng ㄋㄢˊ ㄌㄧㄤˊ	Toponym	Tufa 禿髮	Xianbei	Princely	AD 397–414[166]	17 years	Wu of Southern Liang	Jing of Southern Liang	(list)
	Northern Liang 北涼 Běi Liáng ㄅㄟˇ ㄌㄧㄤˊ	Toponym	Juqu[lower-alpha 33] 沮渠	Xiongnu[lower-alpha 33]	Ducal (AD 397–399; AD 401–412) Princely (AD 399–401; AD 412–439)	AD 397–439[168]	42 years	Duan Ye	Ai of Northern Liang	(list)
	Southern Yan 南燕 Nán Yān ㄋㄢˊ ㄧㄢ	From Former Yan	Murong 慕容	Xianbei	Princely (AD 398–400) Imperial (AD 400–410)	AD 398–410[169]	12 years	Xianwu of Southern Yan	Murong Chao	(list)
	Western Liang 西涼 Xī Liáng ㄒㄧ ㄌㄧㄤˊ	Toponym	Li 李	Han	Ducal	AD 400–421[170]	21 years	Wuzhao of Western Liang	Li Xun	(list)
	Hu Xia 胡夏 Hú Xià ㄏㄨˊ ㄒㄧㄚˋ	From Xia dynasty	Helian[lower-alpha 34] 赫連	Xiongnu	Imperial	AD 407–431[172]	24 years	Wulie of Hu Xia	Helian Ding	(list)
	Northern Yan 北燕 Běi Yān ㄅㄟˇ ㄧㄢ	From Former Yan	Feng[lower-alpha 35] 馮	Han[lower-alpha 35]	Imperial	AD 407–436[lower-alpha 36][173]	29 years[lower-alpha 36]	Huiyi of Yan[lower-alpha 30] or Wencheng of Northern Yan	Zhaocheng of Northern Yan	(list)
	Northern dynasties 北朝 Běi Cháo ㄅㄟˇ ㄔㄠˊ					AD 386–581[174]	195 years			(list)
	Northern Wei 北魏 Běi Wèi ㄅㄟˇ ㄨㄟˋ	Toponym	Tuoba[lower-alpha 37] 拓跋	Xianbei	Princely (AD 386–399) Imperial (AD 399–535)	AD 386–535[176]	149 years	Daowu of Northern Wei	Xiaowu of Northern Wei	(list)
	Eastern Wei 東魏 Dōng Wèi ㄉㄨㄥ ㄨㄟˋ	From Northern Wei	Yuan 元	Xianbei	Imperial	AD 534–550[177]	16 years	Xiaojing of Eastern Wei	Xiaojing of Eastern Wei	(list)
	Western Wei 西魏 Xī Wèi ㄒㄧ ㄨㄟˋ	From Northern Wei	Yuan[lower-alpha 38] 元	Xianbei	Imperial	AD 535–557[177]	22 years	Wen of Western Wei	Gong of Western Wei	(list)
	Northern Qi 北齊 Běi Qí ㄅㄟˇ ㄑㄧˊ	Noble title	Gao 高	Han	Imperial	AD 550–577[177]	27 years	Wenxuan of Northern Qi	Gao Heng	(list)
	Northern Zhou 北周 Běi Zhōu ㄅㄟˇ ㄓㄡ	Noble title	Yuwen 宇文	Xianbei	Imperial	AD 557–581[177]	24 years	Xiaomin of Northern Zhou	Jing of Northern Zhou	(list)
	Southern dynasties 南朝 Nán Cháo ㄋㄢˊ ㄔㄠˊ					AD 420–589[179]	169 years			(list)
	Liu Song 劉宋 Liú Sòng ㄌㄧㄡˊ ㄙㄨㄥˋ	Noble title	Liu 劉	Han	Imperial	AD 420–479[180]	59 years	Wu of Liu Song	Shun of Liu Song	(list)
	Southern Qi 南齊 Nán Qí ㄋㄢˊ ㄑㄧˊ	A prophecy on defeating the Liu clan	Xiao 蕭	Han	Imperial	AD 479–502[181]	23 years	Gao of Southern Qi	He of Southern Qi	(list)
	Liang dynasty 梁朝 Liáng Cháo ㄌㄧㄤˊ ㄔㄠˊ	Toponym	Xiao 蕭	Han	Imperial	AD 502–557[182]	55 years	Wu of Liang	Jing of Liang	(list)
	Chen dynasty 陳朝 Chén Cháo ㄔㄣˊ ㄔㄠˊ	Noble title	Chen 陳	Han	Imperial	AD 557–589[183]	32 years	Wu of Chen	Chen Shubao	(list)
Middle Imperial China[lower-alpha 17]
	Sui dynasty 隋朝 Suí Cháo ㄙㄨㄟˊ ㄔㄠˊ	Noble title ("随" homophone)	Yang[lower-alpha 39] 楊	Han	Imperial	AD 581–619[185]	38 years	Wen of Sui	Gong of Sui	(list)
	Tang dynasty 唐朝 Táng Cháo ㄊㄤˊ ㄔㄠˊ	Noble title	Li[lower-alpha 40] 李	Han	Imperial	AD 618–690; AD 705–907[187]	274 years[lower-alpha 41]	Gaozu of Tang	Ai of Tang	(list)
	Wu Zhou 武周 Wǔ Zhōu ㄨˇ ㄓㄡ	From Zhou dynasty	Wu 武	Han	Imperial	AD 690–705[188]	15 years	Wu Zhao	Wu Zhao	(list)
	Five Dynasties 五代 Wǔ Dài ㄨˇ ㄉㄞˋ					AD 907–960[189]	53 years			(list)
	Later Liang[lower-alpha 32] 後梁 Hòu Liáng ㄏㄡˋ ㄌㄧㄤˊ	Noble title	Zhu 朱	Han	Imperial	AD 907–923[190]	16 years	Taizu of Later Liang	Zhu Youzhen	(list)
	Later Tang 後唐 Hòu Táng ㄏㄡˋ ㄊㄤˊ	From Tang dynasty	Li[lower-alpha 42][lower-alpha 43][lower-alpha 44] 李	Shatuo[lower-alpha 44]	Imperial	AD 923–937[194]	14 years	Zhuangzong of Later Tang	Li Congke	(list)
	Later Jin[lower-alpha 45] 後晉 Hòu Jìn ㄏㄡˋ ㄐㄧㄣˋ	Toponym	Shi 石	Shatuo	Imperial	AD 936–947[195]	11 years	Gaozu of Later Jin	Chu of Later Jin	(list)
	Later Han 後漢 Hòu Hàn ㄏㄡˋ ㄏㄢˋ	From Han dynasty	Liu 劉	Shatuo	Imperial	AD 947–951[195]	4 years	Gaozu of Later Han	Yin of Later Han	(list)
	Later Zhou 後周 Hòu Zhōu ㄏㄡˋ ㄓㄡ	From Zhou dynasty	Guo[lower-alpha 46] 郭	Han	Imperial	AD 951–960[195]	9 years	Taizu of Later Zhou	Gong of Later Zhou	(list)
	Ten Kingdoms 十國 Shí Guó ㄕˊ ㄍㄨㄛˊ					AD 907–979[197]	62 years			(list)
	Former Shu 前蜀 Qián Shǔ ㄑㄧㄢˊ ㄕㄨˇ	Toponym / Noble title	Wang 王	Han	Imperial	AD 907–925[198]	18 years	Gaozu of Former Shu	Wang Yan	(list)
	Yang Wu 楊吳 Yáng Wú ㄧㄤˊ ㄨˊ	Toponym	Yang 楊	Han	Princely (AD 907–919) Royal (AD 919–927) Imperial (AD 927–937)	AD 907–937[lower-alpha 47][200]	30 years[lower-alpha 47]	Liezu of Yang Wu[lower-alpha 47]	Rui of Yang Wu	(list)
	Ma Chu 馬楚 Mǎ Chǔ ㄇㄚˇ ㄔㄨˇ	Toponym	Ma 馬	Han	Royal (AD 907–930) Princely (AD 930–951)	AD 907–951[201]	44 years	Wumu of Ma Chu	Ma Xichong	(list)
	Wuyue 吳越 Wúyuè ㄨˊ ㄩㄝˋ	Toponym	Qian 錢	Han	Royal (AD 907–932; AD 937–978) Princely (AD 934–937)	AD 907–978[201]	71 years	Taizu of Wuyue	Zhongyi of Qin	(list)
	Min 閩 Mǐn ㄇㄧㄣˇ	Toponym	Wang[lower-alpha 48] 王	Han	Princely (AD 909–933; AD 944–945) Imperial (AD 933–944; AD 945)	AD 909–945[201]	36 years	Taizu of Min	Tiande	(list)
	Southern Han 南漢 Nán Hàn ㄋㄢˊ ㄏㄢˋ	From Han dynasty	Liu 劉	Han	Imperial	AD 917–971[201]	54 years	Gaozu of Southern Han	Liu Chang	(list)
	Jingnan 荊南 Jīngnán ㄐㄧㄥ ㄋㄢˊ	Toponym	Gao[lower-alpha 49] 高	Han	Princely	AD 924–963[201]	39 years	Wuxin of Chu	Gao Jichong	(list)
	Later Shu 後蜀 Hòu Shǔ ㄏㄡˋ ㄕㄨˇ	Toponym	Meng 孟	Han	Imperial	AD 934–965[201]	31 years	Gaozu of Later Shu	Gongxiao of Chu	(list)
	Southern Tang 南唐 Nán Táng ㄋㄢˊ ㄊㄤˊ	From Tang dynasty	Li[lower-alpha 50] 李	Han	Imperial (AD 937–958) Royal (AD 958–976)	AD 937–976[205]	37 years	Liezu of Southern Tang	Li Yu	(list)
	Northern Han 北漢 Běi Hàn ㄅㄟˇ ㄏㄢˋ	From Later Han	Liu[lower-alpha 51] 劉	Shatuo[lower-alpha 51]	Imperial	AD 951–979[207]	28 years	Shizu of Northern Han	Yingwu of Northern Han	(list)
	Liao dynasty 遼朝 Liáo Cháo ㄌㄧㄠˊ ㄔㄠˊ	"Iron" (Khitan homophone) / Toponym	Yelü 耶律	Khitan	Imperial	AD 916–1125[lower-alpha 52][209]	209 years[lower-alpha 52]	Taizu of Liao	Tianzuo of Liao	(list)
	Western Liao 西遼 Xī Liáo ㄒㄧ ㄌㄧㄠˊ	From Liao dynasty	Yelü[lower-alpha 53] 耶律	Khitan[lower-alpha 53]	Royal (AD 1124–1132) Imperial (AD 1132–1218)	AD 1124–1218[212]	94 years	Dezong of Western Liao	Kuchlug	(list)
	Northern Song[lower-alpha 54] 北宋 Běi Sòng ㄅㄟˇ ㄙㄨㄥˋ	Toponym	Zhao 趙	Han	Imperial	AD 960–1127[213]	167 years	Taizu of Song	Qinzong of Song	(list)
	Southern Song[lower-alpha 54] 南宋 Nán Sòng ㄋㄢˊ ㄙㄨㄥˋ	From Song dynasty	Zhao 趙	Han	Imperial	AD 1127–1279[214]	152 years	Gaozong of Song	Zhao Bing	(list)
	Western Xia 西夏 Xī Xià ㄒㄧ ㄒㄧㄚˋ	Toponym	Weiming[lower-alpha 55] 嵬名 𗼨𗆟	Tangut	Imperial	AD 1038–1227[216]	189 years	Jingzong of Western Xia	Li Xian	(list)
	Jin dynasty[lower-alpha 22] 金朝 Jīn Cháo ㄐㄧㄣ ㄔㄠˊ	"Gold"	Wanyan 完顏	Jurchen	Imperial	AD 1115–1234[217]	119 years	Taizu of Jin	Wanyan Chenglin	(list)
Late Imperial China[lower-alpha 17]
	Yuan dynasty 元朝 Yuán Cháo ㄩㄢˊ ㄔㄠˊ	"Great" / "Primacy"	Borjigin 孛兒只斤 ᠪᠣᠷᠵᠢᠭᠢᠨ	Mongol	Imperial	AD 1271–1368[lower-alpha 56][219]	97 years[lower-alpha 56]	Shizu of Yuan	Huizong of Yuan	(list)
	Northern Yuan 北元 Běi Yuán ㄅㄟˇ ㄩㄢˊ	From Yuan dynasty	Borjigin[lower-alpha 57] 孛兒只斤 ᠪᠣᠷᠵᠢᠭᠢᠨ	Mongol[lower-alpha 57]	Imperial	AD 1368–1635[lower-alpha 58][225]	267 years[lower-alpha 58]	Huizong of Yuan	Borjigin Ejei Khongghor[lower-alpha 58]	(list)
	Ming dynasty 明朝 Míng Cháo ㄇㄧㄥˊ ㄔㄠˊ	"Bright"	Zhu 朱	Han	Imperial	AD 1368–1644[226]	276 years	Hongwu	Chongzhen	(list)
	Southern Ming 南明 Nán Míng ㄋㄢˊ ㄇㄧㄥˊ	From Ming dynasty	Zhu 朱	Han	Imperial	AD 1644–1662[lower-alpha 59][228]	18 years[lower-alpha 59]	Hongguang	Yongli[lower-alpha 59]	(list)
	Later Jin[lower-alpha 45] 後金 Hòu Jīn ㄏㄡˋ ㄐㄧㄣ	From Jin dynasty (AD 1115–1234)	Aisin Gioro 愛新覺羅 ᠠᡳᠰᡳᠨ ᡤᡳᠣᡵᠣ	Jurchen[lower-alpha 60]	Royal	AD 1616–1636[231]	20 years	Tianming	Taizong of Qing	(list)
	Qing dynasty 清朝 Qīng Cháo ㄑㄧㄥ ㄔㄠˊ	"Pure"	Aisin Gioro 愛新覺羅 ᠠᡳᠰᡳᠨ ᡤᡳᠣᡵᠣ	Manchu	Imperial	AD 1636–1912[lower-alpha 61][232]	276 years	Taizong of Qing	Xuantong	(list)

Criteria for inclusion
This list includes only the major dynasties of China that are typically found in simplified forms of Chinese historical timelines. There were many other dynastic regimes that existed within or overlapped with the boundaries defined in the scope of Chinese historical geography.[lower-alpha 62] These were:[245]

• Dynastic fiefs that existed within the fengjian system: e.g., State of Deng, State of Huo, State of Chu, State of Yiqu
• Dynastic chiefdoms that existed within the jimi and tusi systems: e.g., Chiefdom of Bozhou, Chiefdom of Shuidong, Chiefdom of Yongning, Chiefdom of Tsanlha
• Localized dynastic regimes: e.g., Nanyue, Tuyuhun, Dali Kingdom, Kingdom of Tungning
• Short-lived dynastic regimes: e.g., Zhai Wei, Later Liao, Chen Han, Shun dynasty
• Regional dynastic regimes that ruled an area historically or currently associated with "China": e.g., Rouran Khaganate, Tibetan Empire, Balhae, Kara-Khanid Khanate

Dynasties outside of "China" with full or partial Chinese ancestry, like the Early Lý dynasty of Vietnam and the Thonburi dynasty of Siam, are not included.[246][247][248][249] Likewise, dynasties that ruled Chinese tributary states outside of "China", such as the First Shō dynasty of the Ryukyu Islands and the Nguyễn dynasty of Vietnam, are also excluded from this list.[250][251]

Legend

  Major dynasties

  Major time periods

  Dynasties counted among the "Three Kingdoms"

  Dynasties counted among the "Sixteen Kingdoms"

  Dynasties counted among the "Northern dynasties" within the broader "Northern and Southern dynasties"

  Dynasties counted among the "Southern dynasties" within the broader "Northern and Southern dynasties"

  Dynasties counted among the "Five Dynasties" within the broader "Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms"

  Dynasties counted among the "Ten Kingdoms" within the broader "Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms"

Timelines

Further information: Timeline of Chinese history

Timeline of major historical periods

Xia–Shang–W. Zhou

Spring and Autumn

Warring States

Qin–Han

Six Dynasties

Sui–Tang

Liao–Song–W. Xia–Jin–Yuan

Ming–Qing

Timeline of major dynasties and regimes

Legend

  Protodynastic rulers

  Dynastic regimes

  Non-dynastic regimes

See also

• 1911 Revolution
• Ancient Chinese states
• Chinese historiography
• Chinese imperialism
• Chinese sovereign
• Conquest dynasty
• Dragon Throne
• Dynastic cycle
• East Asian cultural sphere
• Eighteen Kingdoms
• Emperor at home, king abroad
• Emperor of China
• Family tree of Chinese monarchs (ancient)
• Family tree of Chinese monarchs (early)
• Family tree of Chinese monarchs (late)
• Family tree of Chinese monarchs (middle)
• Family tree of Chinese monarchs (Warring States period)
• Fanzhen
• Fengjian
• Golden ages of China
• Head of the former Chinese imperial clan
• Head of the House of Aisin Gioro
• Historical capitals of China
• Jiedushi
• Jimi system
• List of Chinese monarchs
• List of Confucian states and dynasties
• List of recipients of tribute from China
• List of tributary states of China
• Mandate of Heaven
• Monarchy of China
• Names of China
• Pax Sinica
• Six Dynasties
• Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors
• Tianxia
• Timeline of Chinese history
• Tributary system of China
• Tusi
• Twenty-Four Histories
• Xia–Shang–Zhou Chronology Project
• Zhonghua minzu

Notes

1. All attempts at restoring monarchical and dynastic rule in China after the success of the Xinhai Revolution ended in failure. Hence, the abdication of the Xuantong Emperor in AD 1912 is typically regarded as the formal end of the Chinese monarchy.
2. The term "kingdom" is potentially misleading as not all rulers held the title of king. For example, sovereigns of the Eastern Wu held the title huángdì (皇帝; "emperor") since AD 229 despite the realm being considered as one of the "Three Kingdoms". Similarly, monarchs of the Western Qin, one of the "Sixteen Kingdoms", bore the title wáng (王; usually translated as "prince" in English writings).
3. The term "Latter" is employed in some sources as opposed to "Later".[96][97][98]
4. The English and Chinese names stated are historiographical nomenclature. These should not be confused with the guóhào officially proclaimed by each dynasty. A dynasty may be known by more than one historiographical name.
5. The Chinese characters shown are in Traditional Chinese. Some characters may have simplified versions that are currently used in mainland China. For instance, the characters for the Eastern Han are written as "東漢" in Traditional Chinese and "东汉" in Simplified Chinese.
6. While Hanyu Pinyin is the most common form of romanization currently in adoption, some scholarly works utilize the Wade–Giles system, which may differ drastically in the spelling of certain words. For instance, the Qing dynasty is rendered as "Ch῾ing dynasty" in Wade–Giles.[126]
7. While Chinese historiography tends to treat dynasties as being of specific ethnic stocks, there were some monarchs who had mixed heritage.[127] For instance, the Jiaqing Emperor of the Manchu-led Qing dynasty was of mixed Manchu and Han descent, having derived his Han ancestry from his mother, the Empress Xiaoyichun.[128]
8. The status of a dynasty was dependent upon the chief title bore by its monarch at any given time. For instance, since all monarchs of the Chen dynasty held the title of emperor during their reign, the Chen dynasty was of imperial status.
9. The monarchs listed were the de facto founders of dynasties. However, it was common for Chinese monarchs to posthumously honor earlier members of the family as monarchs. For instance, while the Later Jin was officially established by the Emperor Gaozu of Later Jin, four earlier members of the ruling house were posthumously accorded imperial titles, the most senior of which was Shi Jing who was conferred the temple name Jingzu (靖祖) and the posthumous name Emperor Xiao'an (孝安皇帝).
10. In addition to the ancestral name Si (姒), the ruling house of the Xia dynasty also bore the lineage name Xiahou (夏后).[129]
11. The dates given for the Xia dynasty, the Shang dynasty, and the Western Zhou prior to the start of the Gonghe Regency in 841 BC are derived from the Xia–Shang–Zhou Chronology Project.
12. The Xia dynasty was interrupted by the rule of Yi and Han Zhuo for approximately 40 years.[130] Sources disagree on the dates of the start and end of the interregnum. Chinese historiography does not make a distinction between the realm that existed prior to the interregnum and the restored realm. The King Xiang of Xia was the last ruler before the interregnum; the King Shao Kang of Xia was the first ruler after the interregnum.[130]
13. The rule of the Xia dynasty was traditionally dated 2205–1766 BC as per the calculations made by the historian Liu Xin.[131][132] Accordingly, the Xia dynasty lasted 399 years excluding the 40-year interregnum.
14. The rule of the Shang dynasty was traditionally dated 1766–1122 BC as per the calculations made by the historian Liu Xin.[131][134] Accordingly, the Shang dynasty lasted 644 years.
15. The Western Zhou (西周) and the Eastern Zhou (東周) are collectively known as the Zhou dynasty (周朝; Zhōu Cháo).[5][59]
16. The rule of the Western Zhou was traditionally dated 1122–771 BC as per the calculations made by the historian Liu Xin.[131][134] Accordingly, the Western Zhou lasted 351 years.
17. The terms "Chinese Empire" and "Empire of China" refer to the Chinese state under the rule of various imperial dynasties, particularly those that had achieved the unification of China proper.[64][65]
18. In addition to the ancestral name Ying (嬴), the ruling house of the Qin dynasty also bore the lineage name Zhao (趙).[137]
19. The Western Han (西漢) and the Eastern Han (東漢) are collectively known as the Han dynasty (漢朝; Hàn Cháo).[60]
20. Some historians consider 206 BC, the year in which the Emperor Gao of Han was proclaimed King of Han, to be the start of the Western Han.[139] Accordingly, the Western Han lasted 215 years.
21. The Western Jin (西晉) and the Eastern Jin (東晉) are collectively known as the Jin dynasty (晉朝; Jìn Cháo).[61]
22. The names of the Jin dynasty (晉朝) of the Sima clan and the Jin dynasty (金朝) of the Wanyan clan are rendered similarly using the Hanyu Pinyin system, even though they do not share the same Chinese character for "Jin".
23. The ruling house of the Han Zhao initially bore the surname Luandi (攣鞮).[150][151] Liu (劉) was subsequently adopted as the surname prior to the establishment of the Han Zhao.
24. Some historians consider AD 303, the year in which the Emperor Jing of Cheng Han proclaimed the era name Jianchu (建初), to be the start of the Cheng Han.[153] Accordingly, the Cheng Han was founded by the Emperor Jing of Cheng Han and lasted 44 years.
25. The ruling house of the Former Qin initially bore the surname Pu (蒲).[158] The Emperor Huiwu of Former Qin subsequently adopted Fu (苻) as the surname in AD 349 prior to the establishment of the Former Qin.[158]
26. Some historians consider AD 350, the year in which the Emperor Huiwu of Former Qin was proclaimed Prince of Three Qins, to be the start of the Former Qin.[159] Accordingly, the Former Qin was founded by the Emperor Huiwu of Former Qin and lasted 44 years.
27. As Lan Han, surnamed Lan (蘭), was not a member of the Murong (慕容) clan by birth, his enthronement was not a typical dynastic succession.[160]
28. The Emperor Huiyi of Yan was of Goguryeo descent. Originally surnamed Gao (高), he was an adopted member of the Murong (慕容) clan.[161] His enthronement was therefore not a typical dynastic succession.
29. Depending on the status of the Emperor Huiyi of Yan, the Later Yan ended in either AD 407 or AD 409 and lasted either 23 years or 25 years.
30. The Emperor Huiyi of Yan could either be the last Later Yan monarch or the founder of the Northern Yan depending on the historian's characterization.[161]
31. The Western Qin was interrupted by the Later Qin between AD 400 and AD 409. Chinese historiography does not make a distinction between the realm that existed up to AD 400 and the realm restored in AD 409. The Prince Wuyuan of Western Qin was both the last ruler before the interregnum and the first ruler after the interregnum.
32. The names of the Later Liang (後涼) of the Lü clan and the Later Liang (後梁) of the Zhu clan are rendered similarly using the Hanyu Pinyin system, even though they do not share the same Chinese character for "Liang".
33. Duan Ye, surnamed Duan (段), was of Han Chinese descent. The enthronement of the Prince Wuxuan of Northern Liang was therefore not a typical dynastic succession.[167]
34. The ruling house of the Hu Xia initially bore the surname Liu (劉).[171] The Emperor Wulie of Hu Xia subsequently adopted Helian (赫連) as the surname in AD 413 after the establishment of the Hu Xia.[171]
35. The Emperor Huiyi of Yan was of Goguryeo descent. Originally surnamed Gao (高), he was an adopted member of the Murong (慕容) clan.[161] The enthronement of the Emperor Wencheng of Northern Yan was therefore not a typical dynastic succession.
36. Depending on the status of the Emperor Huiyi of Yan, the Northern Yan was established in either AD 407 or AD 409 and lasted either 29 years or 27 years.
37. The ruling house of the Northern Wei initially bore the surname Tuoba (拓跋).[175] The Emperor Xiaowen of Northern Wei subsequently adopted Yuan (元) as the surname in AD 493 after the establishment of the Northern Wei.[175]
38. The ruling house of the Western Wei initially bore the surname Tuoba (拓跋).[175] The Emperor Xiaowen of Northern Wei subsequently adopted Yuan (元) as the surname in AD 493 prior to the establishment of the Western Wei, only for the Emperor Gong of Western Wei to restore the surname Tuoba in AD 554 after the establishment of the Western Wei.[175][178]
39. The ruling house of the Sui dynasty initially bore the surname Yang (楊). The Western Wei later bestowed the surname Puliuru (普六茹) upon the family.[184] The Emperor Wen of Sui subsequently restored Yang as the surname in AD 580 prior to the establishment of the Sui dynasty.
40. The ruling house of the Tang dynasty initially bore the surname Li (李). The Western Wei later bestowed the surname Daye (大野) upon the family.[186] Li was subsequently restored as the surname in AD 580 prior to the establishment of the Tang dynasty.
41. The Tang dynasty was interrupted by the Wu Zhou between AD 690 and AD 705. Chinese historiography does not make a distinction between the realm that existed up to AD 690 and the realm restored in AD 705. The Emperor Ruizong of Tang was the last ruler before the interregnum; the Emperor Zhongzong of Tang was the first ruler after the interregnum.
42. The ruling house of the Later Tang initially bore the surname Zhuye (朱邪).[191] The Emperor Xianzu of Later Tang subsequently adopted Li (李) as the surname in AD 869 prior to the establishment of the Later Tang.[191]
43. The Emperor Mingzong of Later Tang, originally without surname, was an adopted member of the Li (李) clan.[192] His enthronement was therefore not a typical dynastic succession.
44. Li Congke was of Han Chinese descent. Originally surnamed Wang (王), he was an adopted member of the Li (李) clan.[193] His enthronement was therefore not a typical dynastic succession.
45. The names of the Later Jin (後晉) of the Shi clan and the Later Jin (後金) of the Aisin Gioro clan are rendered similarly using the Hanyu Pinyin system, even though they do not share the same Chinese character for "Jin".
46. The Emperor Shizong of Later Zhou, originally surnamed Chai (柴), was an adopted member of the Guo (郭) clan.[196] His enthronement was therefore not a typical dynastic succession.
47. Some historians consider AD 902, the year in which the Emperor Taizu of Yang Wu was proclaimed Prince of Wu, to be the start of the Yang Wu.[199] Accordingly, the Yang Wu was founded by the Emperor Taizu of Yang Wu and lasted 35 years.
48. As Zhu Wenjin, surnamed Zhu (朱), was not a member of the Wang (王) clan by birth, his enthronement was not a typical dynastic succession.[202]
49. The ruling house of the Jingnan initially bore the surname Gao (高). The Prince Wuxin of Chu subsequently adopted Zhu (朱) as the surname, only to restore the surname Gao prior to the establishment of the Jingnan.[203]
50. The ruling house of the Southern Tang initially bore the surname Li (李). The Emperor Liezu of Southern Tang subsequently adopted Xu (徐) as the surname, only to restore the surname Li in AD 939 after the establishment of the Southern Tang.[204]
51. The Emperor Yingwu of Northern Han was of Han Chinese descent. Originally surnamed He (何), he was an adopted member of the Liu (劉) clan.[206] His enthronement was therefore not a typical dynastic succession.
52. Some historians consider AD 907, the year in which the Emperor Taizu of Liao was proclaimed Khagan of the Khitans, to be the start of the Liao dynasty.[208] Accordingly, the Liao dynasty lasted 218 years.
53. Kuchlug, originally without surname, was of Naiman descent. As he was not a member of the Yelü (耶律) clan by birth, his enthronement was not a typical dynastic succession.[210][211]
54. The Northern Song (北宋) and the Southern Song (南宋) are collectively known as the Song dynasty (宋朝; Sòng Cháo).[62]
55. The ruling house of the Western Xia initially bore the surname Tuoba (拓跋). The Tang dynasty and the Song dynasty later bestowed the surnames Li (李) and Zhao (趙) upon the family respectively. The Emperor Jingzong of Western Xia subsequently adopted Weiming (嵬名) as the surname in AD 1032 prior to the establishment of the Western Xia.[215]
56. Some historians consider AD 1260, the year in which the Emperor Shizu of Yuan was proclaimed Khagan of the Mongol Empire, to be the start of the Yuan dynasty.[218] Accordingly, the Yuan dynasty lasted 108 years.
57. Choros Esen, surnamed Choros (綽羅斯), was of Oirat descent. As he was not a member of the Borjigin (孛兒只斤) clan by birth, his enthronement was not a typical dynastic succession.[220][221]
58. Traditional Chinese historiography considers the Northern Yuan to have ended in either AD 1388 or AD 1402 when the dynastic name "Great Yuan" was abolished.[222][223] Accordingly, the Northern Yuan lasted either 20 years or 34 years, and its last ruler was either the Tianyuan Emperor or the Örüg Temür Khan. However, some historians regard the Mongol regime that existed from AD 1388 or AD 1402 up to AD 1635—referred to in the History of Ming as "Dada" (韃靼)—as a direct continuation of the Northern Yuan.[224]
59. Some historians consider AD 1664, the year in which the reign of the Dingwu Emperor came to an end, to be the end of the Southern Ming.[227] Accordingly, the Southern Ming lasted 20 years and its last ruler was the Dingwu Emperor. However, the existence and identity of the Dingwu Emperor, supposedly reigned from AD 1646 to AD 1664, are disputed.
60. The Jurchen ethnic group was renamed "Manchu" in AD 1635 by the Emperor Taizong of Qing.[229][230]
61. The Qing dynasty was briefly restored between 1 July 1917 and 12 July 1917. The movement was led by Zhang Xun who reinstalled the Xuantong Emperor to the Chinese throne.[34] Due to the abortive nature of the event, it is usually excluded from the Qing history.
62. As proposed by scholars such as Tan Qixiang, the geographical extent covered in the study of Chinese historical geography largely corresponds with the territories once ruled by the Qing dynasty during its territorial peak between the AD 1750s and the AD 1840s, prior to the outbreak of the First Opium War.[233] At its height, the Qing dynasty exercised jurisdiction over an area larger than 13 million km², encompassing:[234][235][236]
    • Tannu Uriankhai in the north;[237]
    • Stanovoy Range and Sakhalin in the northeast;[238][239][240]
    • Taiwan and its adjacent islands in the southeast;[238][239]
    • Hainan and the South China Sea Islands in the south;[238][239][240][241]
    • Pamir Mountains in the west;[239][240][242]
    • Lake Balkhash in the northwest.[238][239][240][242]
    Modern Chinese historiography considers all regimes, regardless of the ethnicity of the ruling class, that were established within or overlapped with the above geographical boundaries to be part of Chinese history.[243][244] Similarly, all ethnic groups that were active within the above geographical boundaries are considered ethnicities of China.[243][244] Regions outside of the above geographical boundaries but were under Chinese rule during various historical periods are included in the histories of the relevant Chinese dynasties.

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Sources

• China Handbook Editorial Committee, China Handbook Series: History (trans., Dun J. Li), Beijing, 1982, 188–189; and Shao Chang Lee, "China Cultural Development" (wall chart), East Lansing, 1984.

External links

• Columbia University. The Dynasties Song
• Tan Qixiang. The Historical Atlas of China