The Early Emperors of China

Suiren, Fuxi and Shennong are regarded as the Three Sage Kings of ancient China who made personal sacrifices to improve the lives of the people. They are known for one or more unique contribution to mankind.

The first Sage King lived about 18,000 years ago. He is best remembered for his knowledge of making fire by drilling wood. With fire on demand, mankind can eat cooked food, keep warm and use fire to wild animals at bay.

Many people remember Fuxi for creating the Bagua or Eight Trigram which became the basis of the Yi Qing or the Book of Changes. However not many remember that he taught people to domesticate animals and lay traps to catch fish, birds and other wild animals. Even lesser people know that he invented marriage and the laws that governs it as well a 35 strings musical instrument.

Shennong greatest contribution was teaching people to farm and for inventing many farming aids. He taught the people to grow rice, wheat, beans etc and invented barter trading. He also invested a 5 strings musical instrument.

Shennong tried to find remedies for illnesses by tasting hundred of wild berries. His effort yielded many positive results but eventually one of these wild berries got to him and he die from it.

After Shennong, come Huangdi, Zhuanxu, Diku, Yao and Shun. They were collectively known as the Five Legendary Emperors.

Huangdi was a good leader. He knows how to maximize the ability of those around him to rule the country and come out with innovations that benefit his people.

He commissioned his subject to develop a written language which contributed to the growth of Chinese Culture. With another he studied the art of healing and compiled The Yellow Emperor’s Medicine Classic? Yet with another he developed the 60 year cycle Jia Zi calendar that aided in farming.

Huangdi was a peaceful man who did not like war. During his rule, his people enjoyed peace, stability and prosperity and it ushered in an age of civilization for the Chinese people.

Huangdi was succeeded by Zhuanxu. Zhuanxu was not his son but he was chosen over many of Huangdi’s son due to his ability. Among Zhuanxu’s contribution was bring law and order to his people and consolidating the power of the central authority.

Diku who succeeded Zhuanxu was a benevolent king. He was also the great grandson of Huangdi. Diku reorganized the government and created new ministries with clearly specified duties. They include the ministry of Land, Forestry, Water, Minerals and Fire. His other contribution included improving the Farmer’s calendar system.

Yao who succeeded Diku was just as industrious and benevolent as his father. His contributions included further developing the calendar and adjusting the timing of planting resulting in bumper harvests.

After Yao come Shun who was his son in law. Shun was ill treated by his step mother and father when he was a child. Despite this he continued to be filial and this earned him a lot of respect and fame. King Yao summoned Shun to his court to assist him. Shun eventually married Yao’s daughter.

Shun drafted the five rules of etiquette and others rules and regulations which the dukes and princes had to observed. He also divided the country into 12 states with each having its own administrator. He continued to implement changes at the administrative level and set up the department of rites, music, farming, mulberry planting, works, water and land.

Shun was succeeded by Yu who founded the Xia Dynasty. Yu was famed for his ability to control flooding but that is another story for another time.