Temple names are posthumous titles that were given to Sinospheric monarchs. The practice of honoring monarchs with temple names began during the Shang dynasty in China and had since been adopted by other dynastic regimes in the Sinosphere, with the notable exception of Japan. Temple names should not be confused with era names and posthumous names.

Modern academia usually refers to the following rulers by their temple names: Chinese monarchs from the Tang to the Yuan dynasties, Korean rulers of the Goryeo (until AD 1274) and Joseon dynasties, and Vietnamese rulers of the Lý, Tr?n, and Later Lê dynasties (with the H? and Later Tr?n dynasties as exceptions).

Numerous individuals who did not rule as monarch during their lifetime were posthumously promoted to emperor or king by their descendants and honored with temple names; for example, Cao Cao was posthumously honored as an emperor and given the temple name Taizu by Cao Pi of the Cao Wei dynasty. Meanwhile, several individuals who were initially assigned temple names had their titles revoked, as was the case for Liu Zhi whose temple name Weizong was removed by Liu Xie of the Eastern Han dynasty. In other cases, numerous individuals were honored with more than one temple name, either due to intentional changes or they were given different titles by different monarchs; for instance, Zhu Di of the Ming dynasty was originally honored as Taizong by Zhu Gaochi, but his temple name was later changed to Chengzu by Zhu Houcong. There were also instances where individuals who ruled as sovereigns of a particular realm was accorded a temple name by another realm; this was the case for Borjigin Möngke, ruler of the Mongol Empire, who was later honored as Xianzong by Borjigin Kublai of the Yuan dynasty.

Etymology

The "temple" in "temple name" () refers to the grand temples () built by each dynasty for the purpose of ancestor worship. The temple name of each monarch was recorded on their respective ancestral tablet placed within the grand temple.

History

Temple names trace their origins to the Shang dynasty of China. In earlier times, temple names were exclusively assigned to competent rulers after their passing.

The temple name system established during the Shang period utilized only four adjectives:

• ? (tài; lit. "grand"): honored to dynastic founders;
• ? (g?o; lit. "high"): honored to monarchs with great achievements;
• ? (shì; lit. "eternal"): honored to rulers deemed worthy of eternal remembrance; and
• ? (zh?ng; lit. "resurgent"): honored to sovereigns who revitalized their realm following a period of decline.

Chinese monarchs of the Zhou dynasty were given posthumous names but not temple names. During the Qin dynasty, the practice of assigning both temple names and posthumous names was abandoned. The Han dynasty reintroduced both titles, although temple names were assigned sporadically and remained more exclusive than posthumous names. It was also during the Han era that other adjectives aside from the four listed above began appearing in temple names. Numerous Han emperors had their temple names removed by Liu Xie in AD 190.

Initially, in deciding whether a monarch should be honored as "?" (z?; lit. "progenitor") or "?" (z?ng; lit. "ancestor"), a principle was strictly adhered to: "?" was to be given to accomplished rulers while "?" was to be assigned to virtuous rulers. However, this principle was effectively abandoned during the Sixteen Kingdoms era with the ubiquitous usage of "?" by various non-Han regimes.

Temple names became widespread from the Tang dynasty onwards. Apart from the final ruler of a dynasty, monarchs who died prematurely, or monarchs who were deposed, most Chinese monarchs were given temple names by their descendants.

The practice of honoring rulers with temple names had since been adopted by other dynastic regimes within the Sinosphere, including those based on the Korean Peninsula and in Vietnam. Japan, while having adopted both posthumous names and era names from China, did not assign temple names to its monarchs.

Structure

Most temple names consist of two Chinese characters, unlike the more elaborate posthumous names. In extremely rare cases, temple names could consist of three Chinese characters.

The first character is an adjective, chosen to reflect the circumstances of the monarch's reign. The vocabulary may overlap with that of the posthumous names' adjectives, but for one sovereign, the temple name's adjective character usually does not repeat as one of the many adjective characters in his posthumous name.

The last character is either "?" or "?":

• ? (z?; lit. "progenitor"): implies a progenitor, either a founder of a dynasty or a new line within an existing one. This character was also used for monarchs with great accomplishments. The equivalent in Korean is jo (?), and t? in Vietnamese.
• ? (z?ng; lit. "ancestor"): used for all other monarchs. It is rendered as jong (?) in Korean, and tông in Vietnamese.

List of temple names with the suffix z?

Individuals who are known by more than one temple name have their personal name in English romanization italicized.

Tàiz? ()

The temple name Tàiz? (//Thái T?) can be translated to mean "Grand Progenitor". It was often given to the founder of a dynasty.

G?oz? ()

The temple name G?oz? (//Cao T?) can be translated to mean "High Progenitor". It was often given to the founder of a dynasty.

Chéngz? ()

The temple name Chéngz? (//Thành T?) can be translated to mean "Accomplished Progenitor".

Chúnz? (/)

The temple name Chúnz? (///Thu?n T?) can be translated to mean "Refined Progenitor".

Chúnz? ()

The temple name Chúnz? (/Thu?n T?) can be translated to mean "Honorable Progenitor".

Dàiz? ()

The temple name Dàiz? (//i T?) can be translated to mean "Generational Progenitor".

Dàshèngz? (/)

The temple name Dàshèngz? (///i Thánh T?) can be translated to mean "Great Sacred Progenitor".

Déz? ()

The temple name Déz? (//c T?) can be translated to mean "Virtuous Progenitor".

Dùz? ()

The temple name Dùz? (// T?) can be translated to mean "Magnanimous Progenitor".

G?oshàngz? ()

The temple name G?oshàngz? (//Cao Thng T?) can be translated to mean "Venerable Progenitor".

Gu?ngz? ()

The temple name Gu?ngz? (//Quang T?) can be translated to mean "Radiant Progenitor".

Guóz? (/)

The temple name Guóz? (///Qu?c T?) can be translated to mean "National Progenitor".

Hóngz? ()

The temple name Hóngz? (//Ho?ng T?) can be translated to mean "Majestic Progenitor".

Húanz? ()

The temple name Húanz? (//Hoàn T?) can be translated to mean "Exploratory Forefather".

Hu?z? ()

The temple name Hu?z? (//Huy T?) can be translated to mean "Exemplary Progenitor".

Huìz? ()

The temple name Huìz? (//Hu? T?) can be translated to mean "Compassionate Progenitor".

J?ngz? ()

The temple name J?ngz? (//C?nh T?) can be translated to mean "Admirable Progenitor".

Jìngz? ()

The temple name Jìngz? (//Kính T?) can be translated to mean "Revered Progenitor".

Jìngz? ()

The temple name Jìngz? (//T?nh T?) can be translated to mean "Conciliatory Progenitor".

Lièz? ()

The temple name Lièz? (//Li?t T?) can be translated to mean "Ardent Progenitor".

Mùz? ()

The temple name Mùz? (//M?c T?) can be translated to mean "Sombre Progenitor".

Níngz? (/)

The temple name Níngz? (///Ninh T?) can be translated to mean "Amicable Progenitor".

Qìngz? (/)

The temple name Qìngz? (///Khánh T?) can be translated to mean "Celebrated Progenitor".

Rénz? ()

The temple name Rénz? (//Nhân T?) can be translated to mean "Benevolent Progenitor".

Ruìz? ()

The temple name Ruìz? (//Du? T?) can be translated to mean "Astute Progenitor".

Shèngz? (/)

The temple name Shèngz? (///Thánh T?) can be translated to mean "Sagacious Progenitor".

Shénz? ()

The temple name Shénz? (//Th?n T?) can be translated to mean "Spiritual Progenitor".

Sh?z? ()

The temple name Sh?z? (//Th?y T?) can be translated to mean "First Progenitor".

Shìz? ()

The temple name Shìz? (//Th? T?) can be translated to mean "Eternal Progenitor".

Shùnz? (/)

The temple name Shùnz? (///Thu?n T?) can be translated to mean "Obedient Progenitor".

Sùz? (/)

The temple name Sùz? (///Túc T?) can be translated to mean "Solemn Progenitor".

Tàich?z? ()

The temple name Tàich?z? (//Thái S? T?) can be translated to mean "Grand Primordial Progenitor".

T?ngz? (/)

The temple name T?ngz? (///Th?ng T?) can be translated to mean "Commanding Progenitor".

Wángz? ()

The temple name Wángz? (//Vng T?) can be translated to mean "Sovereign Progenitor".

Wénz? ()

The temple name Wénz? (//V?n T?) can be translated to mean "Civil Progenitor".

Xi?nz? (/)

The temple name Xi?nz? (///Hi?n T?) can be translated to mean "Eminent Progenitor".

Xiànz? (/)

The temple name Xiànz? (///Hi?n T?) can be translated to mean "Constitutional Progenitor".

Xiànz? (/)

The temple name Xiànz? (///Hi?n T?) can be translated to mean "Dedicated Progenitor".

X?ngz? (/)

The temple name X?ngz? (///H?ng T?) can be translated to mean "Prosperous Progenitor".

Xìnz? ()

The temple name Xìnz? () can be translated to mean "Faithful Progenitor".

X?z? ()

The temple name X?z? (//Hi T?) can be translated to mean "Glorious Progenitor".

X?z? ()

The temple name X?z? (//Hy T?) can be translated to mean "Jubilant Progenitor".

Xu?nz? ()

The temple name Xu?nz? (//Tuyên T?) can be translated to mean "Responsible Progenitor".

Xuánz? ()

The temple name Xuánz? (//Huy?n T?) can be translated to mean "Profound Progenitor".

Yánz? (/)

The temple name Yánz? (///Nghiêm T?) can be translated to mean "Austere Progenitor".

Y?nz? ()

The temple name Y?nz? (//Di?n T?) can be translated to mean "Thriving Progenitor".

Y?ngz? ()

The temple name Y?ngz? (//Anh T?) can be translated to mean "Magnificent Progenitor".

Yìz? ()

The temple name Yìz? (//Ngh? T?) can be translated to mean "Persistent Progenitor".

Yìz? ()

The temple name Yìz? (//Ý T?) can be translated to mean "Benign Progenitor".

Yìz? ()

The temple name Yìz? (//D?c T?) can be translated to mean "Soaring Progenitor".

Yìz? (/)

The temple name Yìz? (///Ngh?a T?) can be translated to mean "Righteous Progenitor".

Yu?nz? (/)

The temple name Yu?nz? (///Uyên T?) can be translated to mean "Erudite Progenitor".

Yuánz? ()

The temple name Yuánz? (//Nguyên T?) can be translated to mean "Primal Progenitor".

Yùz? ()

The temple name Yùz? (//D? T?) can be translated to mean "Affluent Progenitor".

Zh?oz? ()

The temple name Zh?oz? (//Chiêu T?) can be translated to mean "Illustrious Progenitor".

Zhàoz? ()

The temple name Zhàoz? (//Tri?u T?) can be translated to mean "Original Progenitor".

Zhèngz? ()

The temple name Zhèngz? (//Chính T?) can be translated to mean "Upstanding Progenitor".

Zhu?ngz? (/)

The temple name Zhu?ngz? (///Trang T?) can be translated to mean "Dignified Progenitor".

List of temple names with the suffix z?ng

Individuals who are known by more than one temple name have their personal name in English italicized.

A?z?ng ()

The temple name A?z?ng (//Ai Tông) can be translated to mean "Lamentable Ancestor".

?nz?ng ()

The temple name ?nz?ng (//An Tông) can be translated to mean "Pacific Ancestor".

Chéngz?ng ()

The temple name Chéngz?ng (//Thành Tông) can be translated to mean "Accomplished Ancestor".

Chóngz?ng ()

The temple name Chóngz?ng (//Sùng Tông) can be translated to mean "Lofty Ancestor".

Chúnz?ng (/)

The temple name Chúnz?ng (///Thu?n Tông) can be translated to mean "Refined Ancestor".

Dàiz?ng ()

The temple name Dàiz?ng (//i Tông) can be translated to mean "Generational Ancestor".

Dàiz?ng ()

The temple name Dàiz?ng (//i Tông) can be translated to mean "Esteemed Ancestor".

Dàoz?ng ()

The temple name Dàoz?ng (//o Tông) can be translated to mean "Principled Ancestor".

Déz?ng ()

The temple name Déz?ng (//c Tông) can be translated to mean "Virtuous Ancestor".

Dìngz?ng ()

The temple name Dìngz?ng (//nh Tông) can be translated to mean "Resolute Ancestor".

Du?nz?ng ()

The temple name Du?nz?ng (//?oan Tông) can be translated to mean "Noble Ancestor".

Dùz?ng ()

The temple name Dùz?ng (// Tông) can be translated to mean "Magnanimous Ancestor".

G?oz?ng ()

The temple name G?oz?ng (//Cao Tông) can be translated to mean "High Ancestor".

G?ngz?ng ()

The temple name G?ngz?ng (//Cung Tông) can be translated to mean "Reverent Ancestor".

Gu?ngz?ng ()

The temple name Gu?ngz?ng (//Quang Tông) can be translated to mean "Radiant Ancestor".

Hóngz?ng ()

The temple name Hóngz?ng (//Ho?ng Tông) can be translated to mean "Majestic Ancestor".

Huáiz?ng (/)

The temple name Huáiz?ng (///Hoài Tông) can be translated to mean "Yearned Ancestor".

Huánz?ng ()

The temple name Huánz?ng (//Hoàn Tông) can be translated to mean "Exploratory Ancestor".

Hu?z?ng ()

The temple name Hu?z?ng (//Huy Tông) can be translated to mean "Exemplary Ancestor".

Huìz?ng ()

The temple name Huìz?ng (//Hu? Tông) can be translated to mean "Compassionate Ancestor".

Ji?nz?ng (/)

The temple name Ji?nz?ng (///Gi?n Tông) can be translated to mean "Modest Ancestor".

Ji?z?ng ()

The temple name Ji?z?ng (//Gia Tông) can be translated to mean "Exalted Ancestor".

J?ngz?ng ()

The temple name J?ngz?ng (//C?nh Tông) can be translated to mean "Admirable Ancestor".

Jìngz?ng ()

The temple name Jìngz?ng (//Kính Tông) can be translated to mean "Revered Ancestor".

Jìngz?ng ()

The temple name Jìngz?ng (//T?nh Tông) can be translated to mean "Conciliatory Ancestor".

K?ngz?ng ()

The temple name K?ngz?ng (//Khang Tông) can be translated to mean "Harmonious Ancestor".

Lièz?ng ()

The temple name Lièz?ng (//Li?t Tông) can be translated to mean "Ardent Ancestor".

L?z?ng ()

The temple name L?z?ng (//Lý Tông) can be translated to mean "Enlightened Ancestor".

L?z?ng (/)

The temple name L?z?ng (///L? Tông) can be translated to mean "August Ancestor".

Míngz?ng ()

The temple name Míngz?ng (//Minh Tông) can be translated to mean "Brilliant Ancestor".

M?nz?ng (/)

The temple name M?nz?ng (//M?n Tông) can be translated to mean "Solicitous Ancestor".

M?nz?ng ()

The temple name M?nz?ng (//M?n Tông) can be translated to mean "Dejected Ancestor".

Mùz?ng ()

The temple name Mùz?ng (//M?c Tông) can be translated to mean "Sombre Ancestor".

Níngz?ng (/)

The temple name Níngz?ng (///Ninh Tông) can be translated to mean "Amicable Ancestor".

Píngz?ng ()

The temple name Yìz?ng (//Bình Tông) can be translated to mean "Placid Ancestor".

Qìngz?ng (/)

The temple name Qìngz?ng (///Khánh Tông) can be translated to mean "Celebrated Ancestor".

Q?nz?ng (/)

The temple name Q?nz?ng (///Khâm Tông) can be translated to mean "Laudable Ancestor".

Rénz?ng ()

The temple name Rénz?ng (//Nhân Tông) can be translated to mean "Benevolent Ancestor".

Ruìz?ng ()

The temple name Ruìz?ng (//Du? Tông) can be translated to mean "Astute Ancestor".

Shàoz?ng (/)

The temple name Shàoz?ng (///Thi?u Tông) can be translated to mean "Perpetual Ancestor".

Shèngz?ng (/)

The temple name Shèngz?ng (///Thánh Tông) can be translated to mean "Sagacious Ancestor".

Shénz?ng ()

The temple name Shénz?ng (//Th?n Tông) can be translated to mean "Spiritual Ancestor".

Shìz?ng ()

The temple name Shìz?ng (//Th? Tông) can be translated to mean "Eternal Ancestor".

Shùnz?ng (/)

The temple name Shùnz?ng (///Thu?n Tông) can be translated to mean "Obedient Ancestor".

S?z?ng ()

The temple name S?z?ng (//T? Tông) can be translated to mean "Pensive Ancestor".

Sùz?ng (/)

The temple name Sùz?ng (///Túc Tông) can be translated to mean "Solemn Ancestor".

Tàiz?ng ()

The temple name Tàiz?ng (//Thái Tông) can be translated to mean "Grand Ancestor".

T?ngz?ng (/)

The temple name T?ngz?ng (///Th?ng Tông) can be translated to mean "Commanding Ancestor".

Wénz?ng ()

The temple name Wénz?ng (//V?n Tông) can be translated to mean "Civil Ancestor".

W?iz?ng ()

The temple name W?iz?ng (//Uy Tông) can be translated to mean "Mighty Ancestor".

W?z?ng ()

The temple name W?z?ng (//V? Tông) can be translated to mean "Martial Ancestor".

Xi?ngz?ng ()

The temple name Xi?ngz?ng (//Tng Tông) can be translated to mean "Assisted Ancestor".

Xi?nz?ng (/)

The temple name Xi?nz?ng (///Hi?n Tông) can be translated to mean "Eminent Ancestor".

Xiànz?ng (/)

The temple name Xiànz?ng (///Hi?n Tông) can be translated to mean "Constitutional Ancestor".

Xiànz?ng (/)

The temple name Xiànz?ng (///Hi?n Tông) can be translated to mean "Dedicated Ancestor".

Xiàoz?ng ()

The temple name Xiàoz?ng (//Hi?u Tông) can be translated to mean "Filial Ancestor".

X?ngz?ng (/)

The temple name X?ngz?ng (///H?ng Tông) can be translated to mean "Prosperous Ancestor".

X?z?ng ()

The temple name X?z?ng (//Hy Tông) can be translated to mean "Glorious Ancestor".

X?z?ng ()

The temple name X?z?ng (//Hy Tông) can be translated to mean "Jubilant Ancestor".

X?z?ng ()

The temple name X?z?ng (//Hy Tông) can be translated to mean "Coruscating Ancestor".

Xu?nz?ng ()

The temple name Xu?nz?ng (//Tuyên Tông) can be translated to mean "Responsible Ancestor".

Xuánz?ng ()

The temple name Xuánz?ng (//Huy?n Tông) can be translated to mean "Profound Ancestor".

Y?ngz?ng ()

The temple name Y?ngz?ng (//Anh Tông) can be translated to mean "Magnificent Ancestor".

Yìz?ng ()

The temple name Yìz?ng (//Ngh? Tông) can be translated to mean "Persistent Ancestor".

Yìz?ng ()

The temple name Yìz?ng (//Ý Tông) can be translated to mean "Benign Ancestor".

Yìz?ng ()

The temple name Yìz?ng (//D?c Tông) can be translated to mean "Soaring Ancestor".

Yìz?ng (/)

The temple name Yìz?ng (///Ngh?a Tông) can be translated to mean "Righteous Ancestor".

Yìz?ng (/)

The temple name Yìz?ng (///Ngh? Tông) can be translated to mean "Competent Ancestor".

Yìz?ng ()

The temple name Yìz?ng (//Ích Tông) can be translated to mean "Flourishing Ancestor".

Yòuz?ng ()

The temple name Yòuz?ng (//H?u Tông) can be translated to mean "Blessed Ancestor".

Yuánz?ng ()

The temple name Yuánz?ng (//Nguyên Tông) can be translated to mean "Primal Ancestor".

Yùz?ng ()

The temple name Yùz?ng (//D? Tông) can be translated to mean "Affluent Ancestor".

Zh?ngz?ng ()

The temple name Zh?ngz?ng (//Chng Tông) can be translated to mean "Decorous Ancestor".

Zh?oz?ng ()

The temple name Zh?oz?ng (//Chiêu Tông) can be translated to mean "Illustrious Ancestor".

Zhèngz?ng ()

The temple name Zhèngz?ng (//Chính Tông) can be translated to mean "Upstanding Ancestor".

Zh?nz?ng ()

The temple name Zh?nz?ng (//Chân Tông) can be translated to mean "Sterling Ancestor".

Zh?nz?ng (/)

The temple name Zh?nz?ng (///Trinh Tông) can be translated to mean "Steadfast Ancestor".

Zhéz?ng ()

The temple name Zhéz?ng (//Tri?t Tông) can be translated to mean "Sapient Ancestor".

Zhìz?ng (/)

The temple name Zhìz?ng (///Ch?t Tông) can be translated to mean "Spartan Ancestor".

Zh?ngz?ng ()

The temple name Zh?ngz?ng (//Trung Tông) can be translated to mean "Resurgent Ancestor".

Zhu?ngz?ng (/)

The temple name Zhu?ngz?ng (///Trang Tông) can be translated to mean "Dignified Ancestor".

List of proposed but rejected temple names

This list contains temple names that were proposed but were ultimately rejected in favor of another temple name. These temple names were not accorded to other monarchs.

• Chunzong (): proposed for Zhao Yun
• Dazong (): proposed for Zhao Gou
• Qianzong (): proposed for Zhu Youjian
• Shizong (): proposed for Zhao Qi
• Yaozong (): proposed for Zhao Gou

List of temple names with limited recognition

This list contains individuals whose temple names were derived from unverified or uncertain sources and are not widely recognized by academia. Nonetheless, referencing these individuals by their unofficial temple names is common in non-academic sources.^[1]

See also

• List of Chinese monarchs
• List of monarchs of Korea
• List of monarchs of Vietnam
• Regnal name
• Chinese era name
• List of Chinese era names
• Japanese era name
• Korean era name
• Vietnamese era name
• Posthumous name

References