Er Wang San Ke facts for kids

Erwang Sanke (二王三恪) is a special tradition from ancient China. It means "the two crownings and the three respects." Chinese emperors used this tradition to show honor and respect to the rulers of the dynasty that came before them. It was a way to make sure power changed hands peacefully and respectfully.

What is Erwang Sanke?

Erwang Sanke was a unique custom in Chinese history. When a new dynasty took over, its emperor would often give special treatment to the descendants of the previous ruling family. This wasn't about punishing them. Instead, it was a way to be kind and respectful.

For example, when the Tang dynasty began, it followed the Sui dynasty. The Tang emperors would find the descendants of the Sui royal family. They would then give these Sui descendants land to rule over. This land was like a small kingdom within the new empire. The Tang rulers even let these families use the old laws of the Sui dynasty in their new lands if they wanted to.

This tradition also included religious ceremonies. Sometimes, the descendants of the old dynasty would be asked to perform sacrifices at important religious places. This showed that their family's history was still respected.

Why was this tradition important?

This tradition was very important for several reasons:

• Showing Respect: It showed that the new emperor respected the past and the rulers who came before them. This was a sign of good manners and wisdom.
• Peaceful Change: It helped make the change of power more peaceful. If the old royal family felt respected, they were less likely to cause trouble or try to fight the new dynasty. This helped keep the country stable.
• Claiming Legitimacy: By honoring the past, the new dynasty also showed that they were the rightful rulers. It was like saying, "We respect the old ways, and now we are continuing the great history of China."

How long did this tradition last?

The Erwang Sanke tradition was very old and lasted for a long time. It was practiced by almost every major Chinese dynasty. This includes dynasties from the very early Xia period all the way to the last dynasty, the Qing. This shows how deeply rooted the idea of respecting past rulers was in Chinese culture.

Sometimes, people would even pretend to be descendants of a previous dynasty. They did this just to get the special benefits and lands that came with the Erwang Sanke tradition.

What does the name "Erwang Sanke" mean?

The name Erwang Sanke comes from Chinese words:

• Er wang (二王) means "two rulers." This refers to two important rulers: the current emperor and the emperor of the dynasty that came just before.
• San ke (三恪) means "three respects." This part of the name might refer to how this honor was given to the first three generations of descendants from the previous ruler. This would include their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.