Gaozu is the temple name, which is the name pursued by later generations in the ancestral temple after the death of the ancient emperor of China.

Yes, the temple name was the name of the ancient emperor of China when he set up a memorial room in the ancestral temple after his death. Such as: Taizu, Gaozu, Shizu, Shengzu, Taizong, Gaozong, Xianzong, Suzong, etc.

The name of the temple is what the emperor called when offering sacrifices in the temple, which originated from the Shang Dynasty, which attached importance to sacrifice and worship. At first, not all kings had temple names. Generally, after the death of kings, they will build their own temples for sacrifice, but after several generations, they have to destroy the original temples and merge them into ancestral temples for sacrifice. Sacrifice in the ancestral hall is called "gold", which has practical effect. If every king temple stays, a large number of temple fairs will be difficult to offer sacrifices after several generations. The former king, who has made great contributions to the country and is worthy of eternal sacrifice by future generations, will especially catch up with the temple number and see the significance of eternal sacrifice.

In addition, due to the expansion of the number of words of posthumous title, the later emperor, and almost all the descendants of the emperor who were succeeded by later generations would give their parents and grandparents a good name, posthumous title could not actually express the emperor's evaluation, but the temple number played the role of closing the coffin instead of posthumous title.

It should be noted that after the death of some monarchs, there will be multiple temple names, and the temple names are not unique, which is caused by worship and changes. After the death of the emperor, special names will be given in the ancestral hall, such as Taizu, Gaozu, Shizu, Shengzu, Taizong, Gaozong, Xianzong and Suzong.

Classification:

Taichuzu

Wang Mang, the founding emperor of the new dynasty, once respected his ancestor Huangdi as the new ancestor.

The earliest ancestors

This temple name is usually given to the founding emperor as the ancestor of blood source, surname or the monarch of the initial seal, such as ancestor of Shang Dynasty, ancestor of Han Dynasty Liu Wei, ancestor of Xin Yushun, ancestor of Wu Dynasty Sun Jian, ancestor of Cheng Dynasty, ancestor of Qin Dynasty Yao, ancestor of Liang Dynasty Lu Shang, ancestor of Jin Dynasty Ji Chang and ancestor of Qing Dynasty Yongshun.

Taizu

This is the temple name of the founding emperor, which has been widely used since Han Taizu Liu Bang. Liu Bang's original temple name was "Taizu". Later, after Emperor Han Jing ascended the throne, Liu Bang restored the temple name "Taizu". Since then, "Taizu" has become the usual temple name of the founding emperor, among which the temple name of Liu Yilong in Song Wendi in the Northern and Southern Dynasties is Taizu, not the founding emperor, which is controversial.

Liezu

The name of this temple refers to the ancestors who established their achievements. In ancient times, it was often called Kaiji entrepreneurial emperor. For example, Liu Bei, the great ancestor of Shu Han, and Cao Rui, the great ancestor of Cao Wei. Er ya Qin Shi: "Parents are people who gave birth to themselves, father is grandfather, grandfather is great grandfather, great grandfather is great grandfather, great grandfather is great grandfather, great grandfather is great grandfather, great grandfather is great grandfather, great grandfather is great grandfather, great grandfather is great grandfather."

great-great-grandfather

The name of this temple is usually given to the founding emperors, such as Liu Bang, Li Yuan, Sui Wendi and so on. , especially Liu Bang, as Emperor Gaozu. But the name of the temple is also called Taizu. Why? In fact, as long as you have read the book "Detailed Interpretation of Han History", you will know the inside story. The book said: "Gaibang matched heaven and earth for Gaozu, and the title was added to it. Although it is the ancestral temple of Zhao Mu, it is also the temple of Gaozu. " In other words, Liu Bang is both the Emperor Taizu and the Emperor Gaozu, and Taizu is synonymous with Gaozu. However, during the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period, even Shi Jingtang, the son of Emperor, had to match the Gaozu Temple, which was a bit funny. Moreover, during this period, the Gaozu Temple was justified. After death, people like Liu Zhiyuan were all great-grandfathers, and even the founder of a small separatist country frequently used the honor of great-grandfathers. Of course, the temple name itself is the royal family's own business, and has no direct relationship with the size of the territory.

Sanzu

Only four emperors in China used the names of "saints" as temple names: Tang sage Li Er, Dachang Guo sage Zheng Maisi, Northern Song sage Zhao and Qing sage Aisingiorro. Except for Zheng Maisi and Michelle Ye, the others were posthumously sealed. This temple was founded by Li Longji, Emperor Xuanzong of the Tang Dynasty, and was specially built by Lao Zi Li Er. Later, it became a temple name dedicated by emperors to seal the ancestors with holy virtues in their homes, and was finally absorbed by nomadic people. In China, there was an emperor named "Saint", the Emperor Yelulongxu of Liao Dynasty.

Static group

Generally speaking, some temples are named as pioneers or connecting figures in the history of dynasties, and also as founders. For example, Cao Pi in the Three Kingdoms, Sima Yan in the Western Jin Dynasty and Kublai Khan in the Mongolian Yuan Dynasty are all ancestral temple names. Mainly because they were not the founders of the dynasty. Liu Xiu was the ancestor of the Han Dynasty. Since then, the ancestors of the Northern Wei Dynasty, Emperor Xiaowu of the Southern Song Dynasty, Emperor Wudi of the Southern Qi Dynasty, Wu Chengdi of the Northern Qi Dynasty, Yuan Shizu, and Sai-jo of the Qing Dynasty have basically come from this.

Tongzu

Wang Mang, the founding emperor of the new dynasty, once regarded his ancestor Chen Hugong as his new ancestor.

Wang Zu

Wang Mang, the founding emperor of the new dynasty, once honored his ancestor Tianan as the new Wang Zu.

Emperor Taizong

This is the most important part of the so-called Zhaomu system after Taizu. In history, there were no fewer than ten people in posthumous title Taizong, including Emperor Wen of the Northern Wei Dynasty, Emperor Wen of the Song Dynasty, Emperor Wen of the Song Dynasty, Emperor Wen of the Liao Dynasty, Emperor Taizong of the Jin Dynasty, Emperor Taizong of the Xia Dynasty (Li Deming), Emperor Yuan Taizong of the Ming Dynasty and Emperor Taizong of the Qing Dynasty. Except for a few people, such as Emperor Ming Di of the Song Dynasty and Emperor Liang Jianwen, they were all outstanding pioneers of this dynasty. Li Shimin, for example, can be called an emperor through the ages.

Sejong

Sejong intended to unify Xu from now on, meaning to open the world from now on. After the death of Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty, it was the temple name Sejong, and the unified Xu of the Han family began a new transfer from Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty. We all know that Emperor Han Jing was going to abdicate to his eldest son, Liu Rong. Only because of the alienation of Guantao princess royal, an ordinary king of Jiaodong was able to inherit the throne. The same is true of Sima's family below Jin Shizong. When Si Mazhao was alive, he often said: The world belongs to King Jing (referring to Sima Shi), and the seat after me belongs to Fu Tao (referring to his youngest son Sima You). It can be seen that without Sima Shi, it is impossible for the Western Jin Dynasty to complete Sima Yi's legacy. After the Western Jin Dynasty, there were five lakes and sixteen countries, and the Northern Wei Dynasty unified the North. Sejong in the Northern Wei Dynasty was Xuan Wudi Yuanke. This man was an important figure who failed Emperor Xiaowen's reform and was also the initiator of the decline of the Northern Wei Dynasty. However, there was nothing for him to be a prince, but the original prince Yao Yuan died suddenly, which made him take advantage of it. Li Shimin's name was taboo in the Tang Dynasty, so there was no Sejong (there was a Sejong who was the father of Tang Gaozu, Tang Gaozu). After Tang Gaozu proclaimed himself emperor, his father was named Emperor Sejong of the Tang Dynasty, so there was no Sejong in the Song Dynasty. But in the Song Dynasty, if strictly speaking, Song Yingzong should be the Sejong of the Song Dynasty, because from him, the true clan line was cut off, and the emperor line changed from the true clan line to the descendants of Shang Wang Zhao Yuanfen. As far as the Southern Song Dynasty is concerned, filial piety is also the rule of Sejong, because it is more important for Taizong to change from him to Taizu. Everyone is familiar with Shi Zongming and Shi Zongqing, so I won't say much, and the same is true. In addition, the story of Zhou Shizong Chai Rong is also well known. Therefore, it is not redundant. Jin Shizong and Liao Shizong have similar meanings. Liao Shizong was a key figure in the return of the Liao royal family to the Yelubi Line of Dongdan King, and Jin Shizong was a key figure in the return of the royal family to the Zongfu Line since Taizu.

Gaozong

What is more interesting in history is that those who are called Emperor Gaozong are usually the makers of the decline of the dynasty, or they are synonymous with sinister and sinister. Song Gaozong and Gaozong in the Qing Dynasty are well-known, and the temple name of Song Gaozong represents mixed merits and demerits. He founded the Southern Song Dynasty in the south of the Yangtze River, which made the situation at that time not go into troubled times like the Southern and Northern Dynasties. However, it was his fault that he took Yue Fei and other meritorious deeds away from Qin Gui, but it was his fault that Gao Zhen resisted military commanders. This period is also called "Shaoxing Zhongxing". Li Hong, Emperor Gaozong of the Qing Dynasty, was the longest-lived ruler in the history of China, and he reached the peak of resistance. But he is too extravagant, and the literary inquisition makes him overjoyed. What he left to Jiaqing was a country full of holes and extravagant habits. This is why Jiaqing gave him the name Gaozong Temple. This is also a mixed blessing. Yu Wenyun, the emperor of the Northern Zhou Dynasty, was a dissolute man. During his reign, he killed his relatives and loyalties, so the name of this temple is synonymous with his evil behavior. Tang Gaozong and the Northern Wei Emperor Wen Chengdi are exceptions, but in fact he should be Sejong. Emperor Yuan of the Han Dynasty was in a daze, which proved the efficacy of his father's prophecy. Qi Ming, the Emperor of Southern Qi, came to power, but he didn't do anything decent except kill the descendants of Gao Wu. Even the history books said that he was only addicted to killing.

The above are the more important temple names. Let's briefly talk about other common temple names and historical coincidences.

Xianzong

There are two prominent sects in the orthodox dynasty, namely Liu Zhuang, Emperor Gaozu of Han Dynasty, and Bolzigit Jingla, Emperor of Yuan Dynasty, which is the laudatory name of the emperor after his death.

Renzong

There are four Renzong in the orthodox dynasty, Song Renzong, Yuan Renzong, Ming Renzong and Qing Renzong. Generally speaking, they were emperors of above average in their respective dynasties. For example, Yuan Renzong actually resumed the imperial examination system, which only happened during the Sejong period of the Mongolian Yuan Dynasty.

Zhongheng

People who know the name of Zhongzong Temple usually know it from Tang Zhongzong. Zhongzong, as its name implies, is a Sect of ZTE. It originated in Xuan Di in the Han Dynasty, and then the orthodox dynasties were Jinzhong Sect (Emperor of the Eastern Jin Dynasty) and Tang Zhongzong. Of the three, except Xuan Di, a veritable ZTE of Emperor Gaozu, the other two were vegetarian, and the Admiralty School was angered by Wang Dun. Tang Zhongzong was killed by his wife.

The feudal dynasty became feudal because it was very superstitious in thought, which was also an important content of feudal etiquette. For example, the names of temples in Song Huizong and Song Qinzong cannot be said to be derogatory, but later generations did not use such names for their ancestors. Especially in the Ming and Qing dynasties, it was particularly serious. Therefore, since the Song, Ming and Qing Dynasties, there has never been an emperor's temple name called Zhongzong. Song Gaozong can be said to be the emperor of Zhongxing Song Dynasty, but Song Xiaozong dared not give him the temple name of Zhongzong. Kangxi can be called the life-saving emperor of the Qing Dynasty, but he didn't get the temple name of Zhongzong either. Instead, he was promoted to a higher position and a ancestor, which is also a unique etiquette in the Qing Dynasty. A dynasty produces three ancestors (Taizu, Shizu and Shengzu). Strictly speaking, they are actually two ancestors, because Mao was the first king. Later, Emperor Jiajing thought that his status as a foreign vassal was similar to that of Judy, Emperor Taizong of Ming Dynasty. Therefore, worshipping the ancestors became a very famous second ancestor among the Ming population.

In addition, such as Xiaozong, Xuanzong, self-proclaimed small rulers (Xiaozong in the Eastern Jin Dynasty, Song Xiaozong, Xiaozong in the Ming Dynasty, Xuanzong in the Tang Dynasty, Xuanzong in the Ming Dynasty, etc. , and the Qing dynasty Xuanzong is messed up), self-proclaimed petty literators (Tang Wenzong, Yuan Wenzong, Qing literators), not introduced one by one.

filial piety/mourning

The emperor of this temple name is also a better and more filial emperor and deserves to enjoy the temple name.

The most famous is Song Xiaozong. Although it is not the emperor's own, he regards the emperor as his own father. Xiaozong cried for a few days and nights after learning of Gaozong's death. He was not interested in politics, so he granted power to Prince Zhao Dun, later Guangzong. During the reign of Xiaozong, he tried his best to rehabilitate Yue Fei and made his grandson a knight. He himself tried several times to recover the Central Plains, but there were no military commanders around him. Historians also lamented that "the Emperor Gaozong had a minister of revival, but no king of revival. Xiaozong dynasty has a king of revival and no minister of revival. "

Zhu Shitang, Emperor Xiaozong of the Ming Dynasty, was also a relatively successful emperor of the Ming Dynasty. He had a rough life since childhood, but after he succeeded to the throne, he made great efforts to deal with all the problems left by his father. During his reign, Wang Shu, Liu Daxia and other upright ministers were appointed, which enabled the Ming Dynasty to revive and develop into a prosperous time. History is called "Hongzhi Zhongxing". Xiaozong himself has seen the fighting in the harem, so he is one of the few monogamous emperors in history. Ming Xiaozong was also surprisingly tolerant and kind to the Wan Guifei family who persecuted his biological mother. As for Wan Guifei herself, I didn't listen to my liegeman's advice and cut off my contacts with her. All this is out of a filial piety, filial piety to father and emperor, upholding tradition, giving priority to forgiveness and putting loyalty and filial piety first. It is for this reason that he was named filial piety after his death.

Yingzong and Mu Zong

This is a temple name with many infighting and troubles, and most of them are short-lived. Historically, Song Yingzong and Yuan Yingzong were only in power for three or four years, among which Yuan Yingzong changed on the south slope and lost his life. There were two more times in Ming Yingzong, one was the change of the civil fort and the other was the change of the gate. In fact, although Ming Yingzong was in office for a long time, he died at the age of 38, the same age as Song Yingzong. Therefore, the extremely superstitious Manchu never chose Yingzong as the temple name of the first emperor. Most of Mu Zong are short-lived, while the emperors of Tang Muzong, Ming Muzong and Mu Qingzong are short-lived.

Zongshen and Dezong

These two temple names are not good things. Although they must have been carefully thought out when they went to the temple names at that time, judging from the historical coincidence, they also caused a lot of trouble. Wang Anshi's political reform in Song Shenzong not only failed to solve practical problems, but intensified party struggle. What Ming Shenzong Wanli did is even more well known. Therefore, the Manchu did not choose Zongshen as the name of the temple. In fact, Dezong is not a good temple name. Tang Dezong and Qing Dezong suffered from war all their lives. Of course, these have nothing to do with the name of the temple itself. What matters is the behavior of the dynasty and the emperor himself.