Posthumous name facts for kids
A posthumous name is a special, honorary name given to someone after they have died. It's like a title they receive for their achievements or character. This tradition was very common for kings and emperors in countries like China, Japan, Vietnam, and Korea.
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History of Posthumous Names
The idea of giving posthumous names started in China during the ancient Zhou Dynasty. The very first person to get such a name was Ji Chang. His son, King Wu of Zhou, gave him the name "Civil King." This showed that his father was seen as a good and kind ruler who cared for his people.
These special names were not used during the Qin Dynasty. People at that time felt these names did not show enough respect. However, posthumous names became popular again during the Han Dynasty and continued to be used for many centuries.
Chinese Emperors' Posthumous Names
For Chinese rulers, posthumous names often ended with the word for "emperor," which is Huángdì or its shorter form, Dì.
These names could sometimes be very long. They were given to describe the emperor's rule or character. Some names were considered "good" or "respectful" names (called zūn hào in Chinese). Here are a few examples:
- Civil (wén): This was a very honorable name. It was given to rulers who showed sympathy and care for their people. They were often seen as wise and fair.
- Majestic (wǔ): This name was for rulers who showed great virtue and strength to their people. They were often strong leaders or military figures.
Japanese Emperors' Posthumous Names
The posthumous names for Japanese emperors are called teigō. Some of these names were given a long time after the emperor's death. Others were given right after the emperor passed away.
These names often tell us something about the emperor. They might describe the place where they were born or lived. They could also highlight special traits or qualities that people admired about them.
Sometimes, a new emperor's or empress's posthumous name was created by combining parts of two earlier rulers' names. For example, Empress Meishō's name was formed from parts of the names of two empresses who came before her: Empress Gemmei and Empress Genshō.
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See also
In Spanish: Nombre póstumo para niños
