Emperor of the Great Ming | |
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大明皇帝 | |
Imperial | |
Details | |
Style | His Imperial Majesty (陛下, 皇上, 萬歲) |
First monarch | |
Last monarch |
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Formation |
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Abolition |
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Residence |
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Appointer | Hereditary |
The Ming dynasty was a dynasty of China that existed from 1368 to 1644, succeeding the Mongol-led Yuan dynasty and falling amidst much political turmoil to the short-lived Shun dynasty. Sixteen emperors ruled over the whole of China proper spanning 276 years. Following the collapse of the Ming dynasty in 1644, members of the Ming imperial family continued to rule parts of southern China until 1662; this regime is known as the Southern Ming in historiography.
Portrait | Emperor (birth–death) | Reign [1] | Personal name | Era name | Posthumous name | Temple name [lower-alpha 1] |
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Hongwu Emperor 洪武帝 (21 October 1328 – 24 June 1398) | 23 January 1368 – 24 June 1398 | Zhū Yuánzhāng 朱元璋 | Hóngwǔ 洪武 | Emperor Gāo 高皇帝 | Tàizǔ 太祖 | |
Jianwen Emperor 建文帝 (5 December 1377 – 13 July 1402) | 30 June 1398 – 13 July 1402 | Zhū Yǔnwén 朱允炆 | Jiànwén 建文 | Emperor Ràng 讓皇帝 | Huìzōng [lower-alpha 2] 惠宗 | |
Yongle Emperor 永樂帝 (2 May 1360 – 12 August 1424) | 17 July 1402 – 12 August 1424 | Zhū Dì 朱棣 | Yǒnglè 永樂 | Emperor Wén 文皇帝 | Tàizōng 太宗 and Chéngzǔ 成祖 | |
Hongxi Emperor 洪熙帝 (16 August 1378 – 29 May 1425) | 7 September 1424 – 29 May 1425 | Zhū Gāochì 朱高熾 | Hóngxī 洪熙 | Emperor Zhāo 昭皇帝 | Rénzōng 仁宗 | |
Xuande Emperor 宣德帝 (16 March 1399 – 31 January 1435) | 27 June 1425 – 31 January 1435 | Zhū Zhānjī 朱瞻基 | Xuāndé 宣德 | Emperor Zhāng 章皇帝 | Xuānzōng 宣宗 | |
Emperor Yingzong 英宗 (29 November 1427 – 23 February 1464) | 7 February 1435 – 22 September 1449 | Zhū Qízhèn 朱祁鎮 | Zhèngtǒng 正統 | Emperor Ruì 睿皇帝 | Yīngzōng 英宗 | |
11 February 1457 – 23 February 1464 [lower-alpha 3] | Tiānshùn 天順 | |||||
Jingtai Emperor 景泰帝 (21 September 1428 – 14 March 1457) | 22 September 1449 – 24 February 1457 | Zhū Qíyù 朱祁鈺 | Jǐngtài 景泰 | Emperor Jǐng 景皇帝 | Dàizōng 代宗 | |
Chenghua Emperor 成化帝 (9 December 1447 – 9 September 1487) | 28 February 1464 – 9 September 1487 | Zhū Jiànshēn 朱見深 | Chénghuà 成化 | Emperor Chún 純皇帝 | Xiànzōng 憲宗 | |
Hongzhi Emperor 弘治帝 (30 July 1470 – 9 June 1505) | 22 September 1487 – 8 June 1505 | Zhū Yòuchēng 朱祐樘 | Hóngzhì 弘治 | Emperor Jìng 敬皇帝 | Xiàozōng 孝宗 | |
Zhengde Emperor 正德帝 (27 October 1491 – 20 April 1521) | 19 June 1505 – 20 April 1521 | Zhū Hòuzhào 朱厚㷖 | Zhèngdé 正德 | Emperor Yì 毅皇帝 | Wǔzōng 武宗 | |
Jiajing Emperor 嘉靖帝 (16 September 1507 – 23 January 1567) | 27 May 1521 – 23 January 1567 | Zhū Hòucōng 朱厚熜 | Jiājìng 嘉靖 | Emperor Sù 肅皇帝 | Shìzōng 世宗 | |
Longqing Emperor 隆慶帝 (4 March 1537 – 5 July 1572) | 4 February 1567 – 5 July 1572 | Zhū Zǎijì 朱載坖 | Lóngqìng 隆慶 | Emperor Zhuāng 莊皇帝 | Mùzōng 穆宗 | |
Wanli Emperor 萬曆帝 (4 September 1563 – 18 August 1620) | 19 July 1572 – 18 August 1620 | Zhū Yìjūn 朱翊鈞 | Wànlì 萬曆 | Emperor Xiǎn 顯皇帝 | Shénzōng 神宗 | |
Taichang Emperor 泰昌帝 (28 August 1582 – 26 September 1620) | 28 August – 26 September 1620 | Zhū Chángluò 朱常洛 | Tàichāng 泰昌 | Emperor Zhēn 貞皇帝 | Guāngzōng 光宗 | |
Tianqi Emperor 天啓帝 (23 December 1605 – 30 September 1627) | 1 October 1620 – 30 September 1627 | Zhū Yóujiào 朱由校 | Tiānqǐ 天啟 | Emperor Zhé 悊皇帝 | Xīzōng 熹宗 | |
Chongzhen Emperor 崇禎帝 (6 February 1611 – 25 April 1644) | 2 October 1627 – 25 April 1644 | Zhū Yóujiǎn 朱由檢 | Chóngzhēn 崇禎 | Emperor Liè 烈皇帝 | Sīzōng 思宗 |
Portrait | Title Monarch (birth–death) | Reign | Personal name | Era name | Temple name |
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Hongguang Emperor 弘光帝 (5 September 1607 – 23 May 1646) | 19 June 1644 – 15 June 1645 | Zhū Yóusōng 朱由崧 | Hóngguāng 弘光 | Ānzōng 安宗 | |
Regent Prince of Lu (Luh*) [lower-alpha 4] 潞王 (1608 – 23 May 1646) | 1 July – 6 July 1645 | Zhū Chángfāng 朱常淓 | – | – | |
Longwu Emperor 隆武帝 (25 May 1602 – 6 October 1646) | 18 August 1645 – 6 October 1646 | Zhū Yùjiàn 朱聿鍵 | Lóngwǔ 隆武 | Shàozōng 紹宗 | |
Regent Prince of Lu (Lou*) [lower-alpha 4] 魯王 (6 July 1618 – 23 December 1662) | 7 September 1645 – March or April 1653 | Zhū Yǐhǎi 朱以海 | Jiānguó [lower-alpha 5] 監國 | – | |
Shaowu Emperor 紹武帝 (1605 – 20 January 1647) | 11 December 1646 – 20 January 1647 | Zhū Yùyuè 朱聿鐭 | Shàowǔ 紹武 | – | |
Yongli Emperor 永曆帝 (1 November 1623 – 1 June 1662) | 24 December 1646 – 1 June 1662 | Zhū Yóuláng 朱由榔 | Yǒnglì 永曆 | Zhāozōng 昭宗 | |
Regent Prince of Huai 淮王 (?–1649) | 1648 | Zhū Chángqīng 朱常清 | Dōngwǔ 東武 | – |
Other Ming claimants included Zhu Benli, Prince of Han (1646–1663) and Zhu Changqing, Prince of Huai (1648–1661). If Zhu Benli existed, he would be the last legal emperor of Southern Ming from the execution (1662) of Zhu Youlang. However, Zhu Benli's identity and existence are disputed, and Zhu Youlang is generally taken to be the last emperor of Southern Ming. [3] Ming prince Zhu Shugui carried out his duties in the Kingdom of Tungning in the name of the last Southern Ming emperor until 1683.
This is a list of individuals who did not reign as emperor during their lifetime but were later recognized as Ming emperors posthumously.
Personal name (birth–death) | Posthumous name | Temple name | Year of recognition | Notes |
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Zhū Bǎiliù 朱百六 (?–?) | Emperor Xuán 玄皇帝 | Dézǔ 德祖 | 1368 | Great-great-grandfather of the Hongwu Emperor |
Zhū Sìjiǔ 朱四九 (?–?) | Emperor Héng 恆皇帝 | Yìzǔ 懿祖 | 1368 | Great-grandfather of the Hongwu Emperor |
Zhū Chūyī 朱初一 (?–?) | Emperor Yù 裕皇帝 | Xīzǔ 熙祖 | 1368 | Grandfather of the Hongwu Emperor |
Zhū Shìzhēn 朱世珍 (1281–1344) | Emperor Chún 淳皇帝 | Rénzǔ 仁祖 | 1368 | Father of the Hongwu Emperor |
Zhū Biāo 朱標 (10 October 1355 – 17 May 1392) | Emperor Xiàokāng 孝康皇帝 | Xīngzōng 興宗 | 1398 and 1645 | Crown Prince who never acceded to the throne. Son of the Hongwu Emperor. Father of the Jianwen Emperor. |
Zhū Yòuyuán 朱祐杬 (22 July 1476 – 13 July 1519) | Emperor Xiàn 獻皇帝 | Ruìzōng 睿宗 | 1538 | Father of the Jiajing Emperor |
Zhū Chángxún 朱常洵 (22 February 1586 – 2 March 1641) | Emperor Gōng 恭皇帝 and Emperor Xiào 孝皇帝 | Gōngzōng 恭宗 | 1644 | Father of the Hongguang Emperor |
Zhū Yǔwēn 朱宇溫 (1490–1560) | Emperor Huì 惠皇帝 | – | 1645 | Great-great-grandfather of the Longwu and Shaowu emperors |
Zhū Zhòuyǒng 朱宙栐 (1538–1564) | Emperor Shùn 順皇帝 | – | 1645 | Great-grandfather of the Longwu and Shaowu emperors |
Zhū Shuòhuáng 朱碩熿 (? – 24 January 1630) | Emperor Duān 端皇帝 | – | 1645 | Grandfather of the Longwu and Shaowu emperors |
Zhū Qìshèng 朱器墭 (?–1629) | Emperor Xuān 宣皇帝 | – | 1645 | Father of the Longwu and Shaowu emperors |
Zhū Cílǎng 朱慈烺 (26 February 1629 – June 1644) | Emperor Dào 悼皇帝 | – | 1646 | Crown Prince who never acceded to the throne. Son of the Chongzhen Emperor. |
Zhū Chángyíng 朱常瀛 (25 April 1597 – 21 December 1645) | Emperor Duān 端皇帝 | Lǐzōng 禮宗 | 1646 | Father of the Yongli Emperor |
Legend:
The Ming dynasty, officially the Great Ming, was an imperial dynasty of China, ruling from 1368 to 1644 following the collapse of the Mongol-led Yuan dynasty. The Ming dynasty was the last imperial dynasty of China ruled by the Han people, the majority ethnic group in China. Although the primary capital of Beijing fell in 1644 to a rebellion led by Li Zicheng, numerous rump regimes ruled by remnants of the Ming imperial family—collectively called the Southern Ming—survived until 1662.
The Yongle Emperor, personal name Zhu Di, was the third emperor of the Ming dynasty, reigning from 1402 to 1424.
The Chenghua Emperor, also known by his temple name as the Emperor Xianzong of Ming (明憲宗), personal name Zhu Jianshen (朱見深), changed to Zhu Jianru (朱見濡) in 1457, was the ninth emperor of the Ming dynasty, who reigned from 1464 to 1487. He succeeded his father, Emperor Yingzong. "Chenghua", the era name of his reign, means "accomplished change".
Emperor Yingzong of Ming, personal name Zhu Qizhen, was the sixth and eighth emperor of the Ming dynasty. He ruled as the Zhengtong Emperor from 1435 to 1449, and as the Tianshun Emperor from 1457 until his death in 1464.
The Jianwen Emperor, personal name Zhu Yunwen (朱允炆), also known by his temple name as the Emperor Huizong of Ming (明惠宗) and by his posthumous name as the Emperor Hui of Ming (明惠帝), was the second emperor of the Ming dynasty, reigned from 1398 to 1402. Zhu Yunwen's father was Zhu Biao, the eldest son and crown prince of the Hongwu Emperor, the founder of the Ming dynasty. Zhu Biao died at the age of 37 in 1392, after which the Hongwu Emperor named Zhu Yunwen as his successor. He ascended the throne after the Hongwu Emperor's death in June 1398.
The Jingtai Emperor, also known by his temple name as the Emperor Daizong of Ming (明代宗) and by his posthumous name as the Emperor Jing of Ming (明景帝), personal name Zhu Qiyu (朱祁鈺), was the seventh emperor of the Ming dynasty, reigned from 1449 to 1457. He succeeded his elder brother, Emperor Yingzong, who had been captured by the Mongols. "Jingtai", the era name of his reign, means "exalted view". He was overthrown in a palace coup led by Yingzong in February 1457, and died a month later.
Zhu Biao was the Hongwu Emperor's eldest son and crown prince of the Ming dynasty. His early death created a crisis in the dynasty's first succession that was resolved by the successful usurpation of his brother Zhu Di as the Yongle Emperor, an act with far-reaching consequences for the future of China.
The Yongli Emperor, personal name Zhu Youlang, was the fourth and last emperor of the Southern Ming dynasty, reigning in turbulent times when the former Ming dynasty was overthrown and the Manchu-led Qing dynasty progressively conquered the entire China proper. He led the remnants of the Ming loyalists with the assistance of peasant armies to resist the Qing forces in southwestern China, but he was then forced to exile to Toungoo Burma and eventually captured and executed by Wu Sangui in 1662. His era title "Yongli" means "perpetual calendar".
Yu Qian, courtesy name Tingyi (廷益), art name Jie'an (節庵), was a Chinese official who served under the Ming dynasty. Under Emperor Yingzong, he worked in the Ministry of War, eventually becoming a vice minister. He distinguished himself in the Tumu Crisis, leading the defense of the imperial capital against the Mongols, and was promoted to the position of Minister of War. For the next eight years, he remained the most influential member of the government of the new Jingtai Emperor. In January 1457, Yingzong returned to power and Yu Qian was promptly executed.
Zhu Shugui, courtesy name Tianqiu (天球) and art name Yiyuanzi (一元子), the Prince of Ningjing (寧靖王), was a royal member of the Ming and the last of the pretenders to the throne of Southern Ming after the execution of the Yongli Emperor in 1662. He took shelter to the Kingdom of Tungning in Taiwan after mainland China completely fell under the control of Manchu-led Qing dynasty. Despite his status as a royal member, he virtually shared no political power with the Zheng dynasts whom were the actual rulers of the kingdom. After the Qing forces successfully annexed Taiwan in 1683, he committed suicide. Nowadays there is a temple dedicated to the prince in Lujhu Township. Inside the temple is written Zhu's death poem.
The Ming dynasty, officially the Great Ming, founded by the peasant rebel leader Zhu Yuanzhang, known as the Hongwu Emperor, was an imperial dynasty of China. It was the successor to the Yuan dynasty and the predecessor of the short-lived Shun dynasty, which was in turn succeeded by the Qing dynasty. At its height, the Ming dynasty had a population of 160 million people, while some assert the population could actually have been as large as 200 million.
This is a family tree of Chinese monarchs from the Yuan dynasty to the end of the Qing dynasty.
Zhu Gaoxu was the second son of the Yongle Emperor and Empress Renxiaowen. During the Jingnan campaign, which brought his father to the throne, he proved himself to be a capable military leader. In 1426, he revolted against his nephew, the Xuande Emperor, but was quickly defeated and executed.
The House of Zhu was a Chinese imperial ruling house of the Ming dynasty (1368–1644) and Southern Ming dynasty (1644–1662). They also held the title "Duke of Wu" and "King of Wu" from 1361 to 1368 as well as "Marquis of Zhu" from 1725 to 1929.
Empress Xiaogongzhang, of the Sun clan, was a Chinese empress consort of the Ming dynasty, married to the fifth Ming emperor, the Xuande Emperor. She was mother of Zhu Qizhen, Emperor Yingzong.
Imperial Noble Consort Wan (1428-1487), born Wan Zhen'er, was an imperial consort during the Ming dynasty. She is sometimes known as Consort Wan or Lady Wan and was the favorite consort of the Chenghua Emperor. She was approximately fifteen to seventeen years older than the emperor.
Taizi was the title of the crown prince of imperial China.
Ming Dynasty is a 2019 Chinese television series giving a fictionalised account of the life of Empress Sun, who was an empress consort of the Xuande Emperor. Starring Tang Wei and Zhu Yawen, it aired on Hunan Television until 2020. Loosely adapted from the novel The Chronicle of the Six Eras by Lianjing Zhuyi, the show gained much attention and viewership from non-Chinese viewers after it achieved high ratings in mainland China.
Empress Xiaosu, of the Zhou clan, was the concubine of Emperor Yingzong of Ming and the mother of the Chenghua Emperor.