Emperors were often known by several different names - the family name, reign title, temple name and various honorary titles. Many early emperors had more than one reign title but by the Ming and Qing periods, just one was kept throughout the reign.
| Name | Reign | Spouse | |
| Fuxi |
2852 BC - |
domesticated animals, instituted family life | |
| Shennong | taught settled agriculture |
| Huangdi 'Yellow Emperor' |
2697 BC - |
ceramics and writing | |
| Yao | agrarian calendar | ||
| Shun | peasant appointed by Yao |
| Yu |
2205 BC |
appointed by Shun | |
|
-1766 BC |
| Cheng Tang 'the Completer' |
1766 BC - |
overthrew last Xia ruler | |
| 30 hereditary rulers |
-1122 BC |
| Tai | |||
| Wen, Earl of the West |
1122 BC |
grandson of Tai | |
| Wu | son of Wen | ||
| Wu's son | |||
| Duke of Zhou, usurped power | brother of Wu | ||
| Mu |
C10th |
||
| You |
- 771 BC |
Spring and Autumn Period 771 BC - 481 BC
Warring States Period 403 BC - 221 BC
|
Duke Xiao |
c 361-338 BC |
|||
| Qin Shi Huangdi (The First August Emperor) | Cheng the Upright | c 221-210 | Son of King Zhuang Xiang of Qin + Zhao Ji | |
| Er Shi | Hu Hai | 210-07 | son of 1st Emperor | |
| - | Ziying | 207 | Nephew of Er Shi |
| Temple Name | Personal Name | Reign | Family | Spouse |
| Gaozu (High Progenitor)
Gaodi (High Emperor) |
Liu Bang, Liu Ji | 202-195 BC | King of Han | Empress Lu
Consorts: Cao, Zhao, Qi, Bo |
| Huidi (Beneficial) | Liu Ying | 195-188 | son of Gaozu + Lu | Empress Chang |
| Shaodi Kong + Shaodi Hong | 188-80 | Infant sons of Gaozu by consorts | ||
| Lu Hou | Lu Zhi | 188-80 (Regent) | ||
| Wendi (Literary) | Liu Heng | 180-57 | S of Gaozu + Bo | Empress Dou |
| Jingdi (Admired) | Liu Qi | 157-141 | son of Wendi | Empresses Bo + Wang Consorts 1 Li, 2 Cheng, 3 Deng, 4 Wang |
| Wudi (Martial) | Liu Che | 141-87 | Son of Jingdi | Empresses Chen + Wei Consorts 1 Li, 2 Zhao, 3 Wang, 4 Li |
| Zhaodi (Shining) | Liu Fuling | 87-74 | Son of Wudi + Zhao | Dau of Shang Guanan |
| Xuandi (Proclaimed) | Liu Bingyi | 74-49 | Gs of Wudi | Empresses 1 Xu, 2 Huo, 3 Wang |
| Yuandi (Original) | Liu Shi | 49-33 | Son of Xuandi + Xu | Empresses 1 Fu, 2 Feng 3 Wang |
| Chengdi (Accomplished) | Liu Ao | 33-7 | son of Yuandi + Wang | Empresses 1 Xu, 2 Zhao Consorts 1 Pan, 2 Zhao |
| Aidi (Sorrowing) | Liu Xin | 7 - 1 BC | Gs of Yuandi | Empresses 1 Ding, 2 Fu |
| Pingdi (Peaceful) | Liu Jizi | 1 BC - 6 AD | Gs of Yuandi + Feng | Dau of Wang Mang |
| Ruzi (Young Ziying) | Liu Ying | AD 7-9 | Ggs of Xuandi | Gd of Wang Mang |
| - | Wang Mang, regent then usurper | AD 9-23 | Son of Wang Wan, br of Empress Wang |
| Guang Wudi (Shining Martial E.) | Liu Xiu | 25-57 | Desc from Jingdi | 1 Guo Shengtong
2 Yin Lihua |
| Mingdi (Brilliant E.) | Liu Xang | 57-75 | Son of Guang Wudi + Yin | Empress Ma, Consort Jia |
| Zhangdi (Methodical E) | Liu Da | 75-88 | Son of Mingdi + Jia | Empress Dou Consorts 1 Song, 2 Liang, 3 Shen |
| Hedi (Harmonious E) | Liu Zhao | 88-106 | Son of Zhangdi + Liang | Empresses Yin + Deng |
| Shandi (Die-young E) | Liu Long | 106 | son of Hedi | dy |
| Andi (Peaceful E) | Liu Yu | 106-25 | Gs of Zhangdi | Empress Yan, Consort Li |
| Shundi (Submissive E) | Liu Bao | 125-44 | Son of Andi + Li | Empress Liang Na Consort Yu |
| Chongdi (Modest E) | Liu Bing | 144-38 | Son of Shundi + Yu | dy |
| Zhidi (Upright E) | Liu Zuan | 138-46 | Ggs of Zhangdi | dy |
| Huandi (Martial E) | Liu Zhi | 146-69 | Ggs of Zhangdi | Empresses 1 Liang, 2 Deng, 3 Dou |
| Lingdi (Quick-Witted E) | Liu Hong | 169-89 | Ggs of Zhangdi | Empresses 1 Song, 2 He Consort Wang |
| Xiandi (Dedicating E) | Liu Xie | 189-220 abd | Son of Lingdi + Wang | Empresses 1 Fu, 2 cAo |
|
Cao Cao |
Han general |
|||
| Wendi (Literary E) | Cao Pei/Pi | 220-7 | son of Cao Cao | |
| Mingdi (Brilliant E) | 227-40 | |||
| Shaodi (Young E) | 240-54 | |||
| Gao Gui Xiang Gong (Duke of Noble Country) | 254-60 | |||
| Yuandi (Original E) | 260-4 | |||
|
Sun Quan |
Han general |
||
| fell to Wei | 280 |
|
Liu Bei |
189-226 |
Han general |
|
| absorbed by Wei | 234 |
| Wudi (Martial E) | Sima Yan (Jin) | c265-290 usurper | Wei general | |
| Huidi (Beneficial E) | 290-306 | |||
| Huaidi (Cherished E) | 307-312 | |||
| Mindi (Compassionate E) | 313-6 |
| Yuandi (Original E) | 317-22 | |||
| Mingdi (Brilliant E) | 323-5 | |||
| Chengdi (Accomplished E) | 326-42 | |||
| Kangdi (Healthy E) | 343-4 | |||
| Mudi (Reverent E) | 345-62 | |||
| Aidi (Sorrowing E) | 362-5 | |||
| Hai Xi Gong (King of the Western Ocean) | 366-70 | |||
| Jian Wendi (Refined Literati E) | 371-2 | |||
| Xiao Wudi (Filial Martial E) | 373-96 | |||
| Andi (Peaceful E) | 397-418 | |||
| Gongdi (Respectful E) | 419 |
| Wudi (Martial E) | Liu Yu | 420-3 | Usurped throne | Empress Cang Consort Hu Jiechao |
| Ying Yang Wang (Sun king of Ying)
Shaodi (Young E) |
Liu Yifu | 423 | Son of Wudi | |
| Wendi (Literary E) | Liu Yilong | 424-53 | Son of Wudi + Hu | |
| Xiao Wudi (Filial Martial E) | Liu Jun | 454-65 | Son of Wendi | Empress Wang, Consort Ji |
| Mingdi (Brilliant E) | Liu Yu | 465-72 abd | Son of Wendi | |
| Cang Wu Wang (King of Cangwu)
Feidi |
Liu Ye | 473-7 | Adopted son of Mingdi | dy |
| Shundi (Submissive E) | Liu Jun | 477-9 | Son of Mingdi |
| Wu | 424-51 | ||
| Gao Yang | 550-9 |
| Gaodi (High E) | Xiao Daocheng | 479-82 | Son of Xiao Cheng (Qi Xuandi) | Empress Lu |
| Wudi (Martial E) | Xiao Ze | 483-93 | Son of Gaodi | Empress Pei |
| Mingdi (Brilliant E) | Xiao Luan | 494-9 | Nephew of Gaodi | |
| Dong Hunhou (Marquis of Eastern Fatuousness) | Xiao Bao Chuan | 499-500 | Son of Mingdi | dy |
| Hedi (Harmonious E) | 501 | Son of Mingdi | dy |
| Wudi (Martial E) | Xiao Yan | 502-49 | Son of a cousin of Qi Gaodi | Empress Xi |
| Jian Wendi (Refined Literati E) | Xiao Gang | 550 | Son of Wudi | Empress Wang |
| Yu Zhang Wang (King of Yuzhang) | 551 | Son of Wudi | ||
| Yuandi (Original E) | Xiao Yi | 552-4 | Son of Wudi, killed YZW | |
| Jingdi (Esteemed E) | Xiao Fangzhi | 555-6 abd | Son of Yuandi |
| Wudi (Martial E) | Chen Baxian | 557-9 | Empress Zhang | |
| Wendi (Literary E) | Chen Qian | 560-6 | ||
| Lin Hai Wang (King of Linhai) | Chen Bozong | 567-8 dep | ||
| Xuandi (Proclaimed E) | Chen Xu | 569-82 | Bro of Wendi | |
| Hou Zhu (Later Master) | Chen Shubao | 583-9 | Son of Xuandi |
| Wendi (Literary E) | Yang Jian | 589-604 dep | Son of Yang Zhong | Empress Wenxian |
| Yangdi (Arbitrary E) | Yang Guang | 604-17 | son of Wendi + Wenxian | Empress Xiao (Liang family) |
| Gongdi (Respectful E) | Yang Yu | 617-8 | Gs of Yangdi | dy |
| Gaozu (High Progenitor) | Li Yuan, Duke of Tang | 618-26 abd. | aristocratic military leader and rebel | Empress Dou |
| Taizong (Supreme Ancestor) | Li Shimin | 626-49 | son of Gaozu + Dou | Empress Wende, Consort Wu Zetian |
| Gaozong (High Ancester) | Li Zhi | 649-83 | son of Taizong + Wende | Empress Wang Consorts 1 Wu Zhao (Zetian) 2 Xiao |
| Zhongzong (Moderate Ancestor) | Li Zhe | 683 dep | son of Gaozong + Wu | Empress Wei, |
| Ruizong (Far-sighted Ancestor) | Li Dan | 684-90 | son of Gaozong + Wu | Consort Dou |
| Empress Wu | 660-705 | dau of Wu Shihou + Lady Yang | Concubine of Taizong + Gaozong | |
| Zhongzong restored | 705-12 | |||
| Ruizong restored | 710-16 | |||
| Xuanzong (Profound Ancestor) Ming Huan | Li Longhi | 712-56 | Son of Rizong + Dou | Empress Wang, Consorts 1 Zhao, 2 Hua, 3 Yang Guifei 4 Wu |
| Suzong (Respectful A) | Li Yu | 756-62 | Son of Xuanzong + Yang Guifei | |
| Daizong (Dai Ancestor) | Li Yu | 762-9 | Son of Suzong | |
| Dezong (Virtuous A) | Li Shi | 779-805 | Son of Daizong | |
| Shunzong (Submissive A) | Li Song | 805 abd | Son of Dezong | |
| Xianzong (Constitutional A) | Li Chun | 805-20 | Son of Shunzong | |
| Muzong (Reverent A) | Li Heng | 820-4 | Son of Xianzong | |
| Jingzong (Esteemed A) | Li Zhan | 824-7 | Son of Muzong | |
| Wenzong | Li Ang | 827-40 | Son of Muzong | |
| Wuzong (Martial A) | Li Yan | 840-6 | Son of Muzong | |
| Xuanzong (Proclaimed A) | Li Chen | 846-59 | Son of Xianzong | Zhao |
| Yizong (Exemplary A) | Li Wen | 459-73 | Son of Xuanzong + Zhao | |
| Xizong (Contented A) | Li Yan | 873-88 | Son of Yizong | |
| Zhaozong (Shining A) | Li Jie | 888-904 | Son of Yizong | |
| Aidi (Sorrowing A) Zhaoxuan | Li Zhu | 904-7 dep | Son of Zhaozong |
| Taizu (Supreme Progenitor) | Zhu Wen | 907-10 | ||
| Mudi (Final Emperor) | 911-23 |
| Zhuangzong (Robust A) | 923-6 | |||
| Mingzong (Brilliant A) | 926-34 | |||
| Feidi (Yielding E) | 934-5 |
| Gaozu (High Progenitor) | 936-44 | |||
| Chudi (Exceeding E) | 944-7 |
| Gaozu (High Progenitor) | 947-8 | |||
| Yindi (Seclusive E) | 948 |
| Taizu (Supreme Progenitor) | 951-4 | |||
| Sizong (Genesis A) | 954-60 |
| Taizu (Supreme Progenitor) | Zhao Kuangyin | 960-76 | General of Later Zhou dynasty | 1 He, 2 Wang, 3 Song |
| Taizong (Supreme A) | Zhao Guangyi | 976-97 | Brother of Taizu | 1 Yin, 2 Fu, 3 Mingde, 4 Li Yuande |
| Zhenzong (True A) | Zhao Dechang | 998-1022 | Son of Taizong + 4 | 1 Pan, 2 Guo, 3 Liu, 4 Li, 5 Yang |
| Renzong (Benevolent A) | Zhao Zhen | 1022-63 | Son of Zhenzong + Consort Li | 1 Guo, 2 Zhang, 3 Cao, 4 Zhang |
| Yingzhong (Heroic A) | Zhao Shu | 1064-7 | Ggs of Taizu, adopted by Renzong | Gao |
| Shenzong ( Spiritual A) | Zhao Xu | 1068-85 | Son of Yingzong + Gao | 1 Xiang, 2 Zhu, 3 Zhen |
| Zhezong (Sagacious A) | Zhao Xu | 1086-1101 | Son of Shenzong | 1 Meng, 2 Liu |
| Huizong (Divine A) | Zhao Ji | 1101-25 abd | Son of Shenzong + Zhen | 1 Wang, 2 Zhang, 3 Wei, 4 Liu, 5 Liu |
| Qinzong ( Admirable A) | Zhao Huan | 1126-56 | Son of Huizong + Zhu |
| 1125- | |||
| Hailing | 1150-61 | ||
| Shizong | 1161-90 | ||
| Zhangzong | 1190-1234 |
| Gaozong (High Ancestor) | Zhao Gou | 1127-62 abd | son of Huizong + Wei | 1 Wu |
| Xiaozong (Filial A) | Zhao Bozong | 1162-90 abd | 6th gen desc of Taizu | |
| Guangzong (Glorious A) | Zhao Dun | 1190-5 abd | Son of Xiaozong | Empress Li |
| Ningzong (Serene A) | Zhao Kuo | 1195-1224 | Son of Guangzong + Li | Empress Han, Concubine Yang |
| Lizong (Logical A) | Zhao Yuju | 1224-64 | 10th gen desc of Taizu, adopted son of Ningzong | Empress Xie |
| Duzong (Magnanimous A) | Zhao Mengqi | 1265-74 | Nephew of Lizong | Empress Chuan, Consorts 1 Yang, 2 Yu |
| Gongzong (Respectful A) | Zhao Xian | 1275 dep | Son of Duzong + Chuan | |
| Duanzong (Upright A) | Zhao Shi | 1276-8 | Son of Duzong + Yang | |
| Bing Di (Promising E) | Zhao Bing | 1279 | Son of Duzong + Yu |
| Shizu (Genesis Progenitor) | Kubilai | 1279-94 | Gs Genghis Khan; Son of Tolui + Sorghagtani Beki | Tegulun, Chabi, Tarakhan, Bayaghucha |
| Chengzong (Accomplished) | Temur Oljeitu | 1294-1307 | Gs of Kubilai | 1 Shirindari
2 Bulukhan |
| Wuzong (Martial A) | Khaishan | 1307-11 | Bro of Temur Oljeitu | |
| Renzong (Benevolent A) | Ayurbarwada | 1311-20 | Bro of Khaishan | |
| Yingzong (Heroic A) | Shidebala | 1321-3 | Son of Ayurbarwada | |
| Taiding Huangdi (Exalted and Decisive E) | Yesun Temur | 1323-8 | Gs of Kubilai | |
| Wenzong (Literary A) | Tugh Temur | 1328, 1329-32 | Son of Khaishan | Budashiri |
| Mingzong (Brilliant A) | Khoshila | 1329 | Son of Khaishan | Babusha |
| Shundi (Submissive E) | Toghon Temur | 1333-68 dep | Son of Khosila |
| Hongwu 'Vast Military Power'
Taizu (Supreme Progenitor) |
Zhu Yuanzhang | 1368-98 | Son of Zhu Shichen | Empress Ma, Consort Wu |
| Jiangwen
Huidi (Beneficial E) |
Zhu Yunwen | 1398-1402 | grandson of Hongwu | Empress Ma |
| Yongle, Chengzu (Accomplished P) | Zhu Di | 1402-24 | son of Hongwu | Empress Xu |
| Hongxi, Renzong (Benevolent A) | Zhu Gaozi | 1424-5 | Son of Yongle | Empress Zhang |
| Xuande (Xuanzong 'Proclaimed A') | Zhu Zhanji | 1425-35 | Son of Hongxi | Empresses 1 Hu, 2 Sun, Consort Wu |
| Zhengtong Yingzong - Heroic A | Zhu Qizhen | 1435-49 dep. | Son of Xuande + Sun | Empresses 1 Qian, 2 Zhou |
| Jingtai (Jingti Admired E) | Zhu Qiyu | 1449-57 | Son of Xuande | Empress Wang, Consort Hang |
| Tianshun (Zhengtong restored) | 1457-64 | |||
| Chenghua (Xianzong Constitutional A) | Zhu Jianshen/Jianji/ Jianru | 1464-87 | Son of Zhengtong | Empresses 1 Wu, 2 Wang, 3 Ji, 4 Shao Consort Wan Guifei |
| Hongzhi (Xiaozong Filial A) | Zhu Yutang | 1487-1505 | Son of Chenghua + Ji | Empress Zhang |
| Zhengde (Wuzong Martial A) | Zhu Houzhao | 1505-21 | Son of Hongzhi + Zhang | Empress Xia |
| Jiajing (Shizong - Genesis A) | Zhu Houcong | 1521-67 | Gs of Chenhua + Shao | Empresses 1 Chen 2 Zhang, 3 Fang Consort Du |
| Longqing (Muzong Reverent A) | Zhu Zaihou | 1567-72 | Son of Jiajing + Kang | Empresses 1 Li, 2 Chen, 3 Ci (Lishi) |
| Wanli (Shenzong Spiritual A) | Zhu Yizhun | 1572-1620 | Son of Longqing + Lishi | Empresses 1 Wang, 2 Wang Consorts Li + Zheng |
| Taichang (Guangzong Lustrous A) | Zhu Changle | 1620 | Son of Wanli + | Empresses 1 Guo, 2 Wang Consorts 1 Li, 2 Liu |
| Tianqui (Xizong Bright A) | Zhu Yujiao | 1620-7 | Son of Taichang + Wang | Empress Zhang |
| Chongzhen (Sizong Thoughtful A) | Zhu Yujian | 1627-44 | Son of Taichang + Liu | Empress Zhou Consort Tian |
| Shunzhi (Shizu - Sage Progenitor) | Fulin | 1644-61 | Son of the leader Abahai | Empresses 1 Berjjijit, 2 Xiao Kang 3 Xiao Hui Consort Xiao Xian |
| Kangxi (Shengxu - Sacred Progenitor) | Xuan Ye | 1661-1722 | son of Shunzhi + XK | Empress Xiaocheng
Xiao Gong |
| Yongzheng (Shizong - Genesis A) | Yinchen | 1722-35 | son of Kangxi + Xiao Gong | Empresses 1 Xiao Sheng 2 Xiao Xian |
| Qianlong (Gaozong High A) | Hongli | 1735-96 abd | son of Yongzheng | Empresses 1 Xiao Xian, 2 Xiao Yi (Ula Nara) |
| Jiaqing (Renzong - Benevolent A) | Yongyan | 1796-1820 | Son of Qianlong + XY | Empress Xiao Shu |
| Daoguang (Xuanzong (Proclaimed A) | Min Ning | 1820-50 | Son of Jiajing + XS | Empresses 1 Xiaomu, 2 Xiao Zhuan |
| Xianfeng (Wenzong Literary A) | Yichu | 1850-61 | Son of Daoguang + XZ | Empresses
1 Niuhuru, Xiao Chen, Ci An 2 Xiao Qin/ Yehonala/Cixi |
| Tongzhi (Muzong Reverent A) | Zaichun | 1861-75 | Son of Xianfeng + Cixi | Empress Xiao Che, Alute |
| Guangxu (Xuandi Proclaimed E) | Zai Tian | 1875-1908 | Son of Yi Huan, Prince Jun | Empress Long Yu, Xiao Ding |
| Xuanzong Xuandi (Proclaimed A/E) | Aisin Gioro Puyi (Henry Puyi) | 1908-12 died 1967 | Son of Chun II, bro of Guangxu | Empress -
Consort - |
This collection of names was compiled by Kate Monk and is ©1997, Kate Monk.
Copies may be made for personal use only.