Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors facts for kids

History of China
ANCIENT
Neolithic c. 8500 – c. 2070 BC
Xia dynasty c. 2070 – c. 1600 BC
Shang dynasty c. 1600 – c. 1046 BC
Zhou dynasty c. 1046 – 256 BC
Western Zhou
Eastern Zhou
Spring and Autumn
Warring States
IMPERIAL
Qin dynasty 221–206 BC
Han dynasty 206 BC – 220 AD
Western Han
Xin dynasty
Eastern Han
Three Kingdoms 220–280
Wei, Shu and Wu
Jin dynasty 265–420
Western Jin
Eastern Jin	Sixteen Kingdoms
Southern and Northern Dynasties 420–589
Sui dynasty 581–618
Tang dynasty 618–907
(Wu Zhou interregnum 690–705)
Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms 907–960	Liao dynasty 907–1125
Song dynasty 960–1279
Northern Song		W. Xia
Southern Song	Jin
Yuan dynasty 1271–1368
Ming dynasty 1368–1644
Qing dynasty 1644–1911
MODERN
Republic of China 1912–1949
People's Republic of China 1949–present	Republic of China on Taiwan 1949–present
Related articles Chinese historiography Timeline of Chinese history Dynasties in Chinese history Linguistic history Art history Economic history Education history Science and technology history Legal history Media history Military history Naval history

The Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors were important leaders from ancient China. They are mostly known from Chinese mythology and old stories. People today see them as culture heroes, meaning they helped shape Chinese culture. Long ago, people believed they were like gods or powerful spirits who were ancestors. This time period happened before the Xia Dynasty, which was the first known dynasty in China.

In these old stories, the Three Sovereigns were like powerful beings or demigods. They used their special abilities to help create humans and teach them important skills. These skills included how to live and how to understand the world. The Five Emperors were wise and good leaders. They were known for their strong moral character. This time was seen as a "golden age" where people and gods could communicate easily. These wise leaders either embodied the divine or helped people talk to divine forces.

During this period, leaders were chosen through a system called abdication system. This meant a ruler would give up their power to a chosen successor. This changed when Qi of Xia took power by force. He started a system where power was passed down in families, creating a hereditary monarchy.

Ancient Stories

Many ancient stories about the Three Sovereigns come from Taoism. These tales often include ideas from Shamanism, which is a practice where people believe they can connect with spirits. The oldest stories about Fuxi, Nüwa, and Shennong as the Three Sovereigns were inspired by these beliefs.

Different Lists of Rulers

An old map showing tribes in Ancient China. It includes areas led by the Huang Di, Yan Di, and Chiyou.

There are many different ideas about who exactly the Three Sovereigns or Five Emperors were. This depends on which ancient book or source you read. There are about six or seven different lists! Many of these sources were written much later than the time these rulers supposedly lived.

Some of the names that often appear as Three Sovereigns include: Fuxi (伏羲), Nüwa (女媧), Shennong (神農), Suiren (燧人), Zhurong (祝融), Gong Gong (共工), Heavenly Sovereign (天皇), Earthly Sovereign (地皇), Tai Sovereign (泰皇), Human Sovereign (人皇), and even the Yellow Emperor (黄帝).

For the Five Emperors, common names are: Yellow Emperor (黃帝), Zhuanxu (顓頊), Emperor Ku (嚳), Emperor Yao (堯), Shun (舜), Shaohao (少昊), Taihao (太昊), and Yan Emperor (炎帝).

The Three Sovereigns

The Three Sovereigns are sometimes called the Three August Ones. Stories say they were like god-kings or powerful beings with special abilities. They used their magic or their connection to the Tao (a natural force) to make life better for their people. Because they were so good and wise, they lived for a very long time. They ruled during a period of great peace and happiness.

They are similar to xian, who are immortal beings in Taoism. For example, the Human Sovereign was said to travel on a cloud-chariot. The Yellow Emperor was believed to have become a xian after he died. The Yellow Emperor is also thought to be the ancestor of the Huaxia people, who are a big part of Chinese culture. There is even a special place called the Mausoleum of the Yellow Emperor in Shaanxi Province to honor this legend.

Here are some of the different lists of the Three Sovereigns from various old texts:

The Five Emperors

The Five Emperors are often credited with inventing important things. These include fire, writing, and ways to water crops (irrigation).

Here are some of the different lists of the Five Emperors from various old texts:

Family Tree of Ancient Five Emperors

How the World Was Made

There is a legend about four special figures called the Four shi (四氏). These four, Youchao-shi, Suiren-shi, Fu Xi-shi, and Shennong-shi, are said to have helped create the world.

Lasting Impact

These ancient kings are believed to have taught people many important things. They helped introduce the use of fire and showed people how to build houses. They also taught people how to farm and grow food. The Yellow Emperor's wife is given credit for inventing silk production. This means she taught people how to raise silkworms and make silk fabric. The discovery of medicine, the invention of the calendar, and the creation of Chinese writing are also credited to these early rulers. After their time, a leader named Yu the Great founded the Xia Dynasty.

Gallery

• 

  The Hall of the Three Sovereigns (三皇殿) in Changchun Si (长春寺), a Taoist temple in Wuhan

• 

  Shennong tasting herbs to discover their qualities

• 

  A historian's drawing of the Yellow Emperor

• 

  Another drawing of the Yellow Emperor

• 

  Shaohao Tomb near Qufu, Shandong

See also

In Spanish: Tres augustos y cinco emperadores para niños

• List of Neolithic cultures of China
• Emperor of China