House of Li

This article is about the ruling family of the Western Liang and Tang dynasties. For other topics, see Li family (disambiguation).
Li
CountryWestern Liang, Tang dynasty
FounderLaozi
Final rulerEmperor Ai of Tang
TitlesDuke of Western Liang, Emperor of the Tang Empire
Connected familiesAjo (阿熱) clan of the Kyrgyz Khaganate
Estate(s)Palace in Chang'an

The House of Li (Chinese: 李; pinyin: Lǐ; Wade–Giles: Li) was the ruling house of the Western Liang dynasty and the Tang dynasty of China.

Family information

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The Li family originated in the Longxi Commandery and had Han ethnic origins. They were also known as the Longxi Li lineage (隴西李氏), which included the famous Tang poet Li Bai. The Li family were members of the northwest military aristocracy prevalent during the Sui dynasty.[1][2]

According to the official records of Tang dynasty, the Li family was paternally descended from the famous Daoist sage Laozi (whose personal name was Li Dan or Li Er),[3] as well as the Qin Dynasty General Li Xin and the Han dynasty General Li Guang,[4][5] and Li Gao, the ethnic Han ruler of Western Liang dynasty. During the late Northern and Southern dynasties period, the Li family intermarried with Xianbei royalty when Li Bing (the ethnically Han father of the first Tang emperor) married the part-Xianbei Duchess Dugu (the daughter of prominent Xianbei general Dugu Xin).[6][7] Marriages between elite Han men and Xianbei princesses were common in this period, as the Northern Wei had arranged for Han elites to marry daughters of the Xianbei Tuoba imperial family since the 480s CE.[8] More than half of the Tuoba Xianbei princesses of the Northern Wei were married to Han men from the imperial families and aristocrats from the Southern dynasties, who had defected and moved north to join the Northern Wei.[9]

Portrait from the tomb of General Li Xian (504-569 CE).

The Khagans of the Yenisei Kyrgyz Khaganate also claimed Longxi Li ancestry, through descent from the Han dynasty general Li Ling. Li Ling, a grandson of Li Guang, had defected from the Han dynasty to the Xiongnu in the first century BCE.[4][10][11][12] For this reason, the Kyrgyz Khagan was recognized as a member of the Tang imperial family.[13][14]: 394–395  Emperor Zhongzong of Tang even said to the Kyrgyz that "Your nation and Ours are of the same ancestral clan (Zong). You are not like other foreigners."[15]: 126 

The Tang Imperial family was watched over by the Zongcheng si (宗正寺).[16] Other prominent members of the Longxi Li lineage from the Tang period included generals Li Jing and Li Jiongxiu, chancellors Li Yiyan, Li Kui, Li Wei, Li Fengji, and Li Zhaode, the official Li Zhongyan, and the poet Li Bai. The Tang Imperial Longxi Li lineage also included sub lineages like the Guzang Li (姑臧 ), from which Li Zhuanmei (李專美) came from, who served the Later Jin.[17]

During the Tang dynasty the Li family of Zhaojun (趙郡李氏), the Cui clan of Boling, the Cui clan of Qinghe, the Lu clan of Fanyang, the Zheng family of Xingyang (滎陽鄭氏), the Wang family of Taiyuan (太原王氏), and the Li family of Longxi (隴西李氏) were the seven noble families between whom marriage was banned by law.[18]

In more recent times, some scholars have speculated that the Tang imperial family might have modified its genealogy to conceal Xianbei heritage.[19] They cite as an example the Northern Zhou General Li Xian, who claimed descent from the Han general Li Ling, but whose tomb indicates that he had distant Xianbei ancestry.[20][21] There is however no direct evidence that the Tang imperial family carried out such actions.

Some of the Tang dynasty Imperial family's cadet branches ended up in Fujian. The branch founded by Li Dan (李丹) became prominent during the Song dynasty,[22] as did another founded by Li Fu (李富).[23] Descendants of the Tang Emperors now live in Chengcun village, near the Wuyi Mountains in Fujian.[24]

During the Later Jin dynasty of the Five Dynasties period, there were dukedoms (二王三恪) established for the descendants of the Northern Zhou, Sui, and Tang imperial families.[25]

The Hu family of Xidi are descended from Hu Shiliang, of Wuyuan, who was a descendant of Hu Changyi, a son of Emperor Zhaozong of Tang who was adopted by the Wuyuan Hu family.[26][27][28][29][30][31][32]

People

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Family tree

[edit]
Tang dynastydotted line denotes passage of more than one generation
Li Er 李耳, alias Li Dan 李聃
d.? Laozi 老子[33]
Li Zong 李宗
Courtesy name Zunzu 字尊祖
Forestry official in the
State of Wei 魏國木大夫
Li Tong 李同
Grand General in the
State of Zhao 趙國大將軍
Li Dui 李兌
Prime Minister of the
State of Zhao 趙國丞相
Li Ji 李躋
Lord of Yang'an in the
State of Zhao 趙國陽安君
Li Ke 李恪
Courtesy name Daohong 字道弘
Tutor to the crown prince
of the State of Qin 秦國太子太傅
Li Xingzu 李興族, alias Li Wang，一名李汪
Courtesy name Yushen 字育神
General in the
State of Qin 秦國將軍
Li Tan 李曇
Courtesy name Guiyuan 字貴遠
Marquis of Bairen county in the
State of Zhao, moved to the State of Qin
and became its Supreme Censor
趙國柏人縣侯、入秦國為御史大夫
Li Chong 李崇
Courtesy name Bo 字伯
(Note: the family line of the
Li of Longxi started from him)
注：隴西李氏房系始於此
Prefect of Longxi and
Duke of Nanzheng 隴西郡太守、南鄭公
Li Pingyao 李平瑤
Courtesy name Neide 字內德
Prefect of Nan and Marquis
of Didao 南郡太守、狄道侯
Li Xin 李信
Courtesy name Youcheng 字有成
Grand General and enfeoffed as
Marquis of Longxi 大將軍、隴西侯
Li Chao 李超 alias Li Kang 一名伉
Courtesy name Rengao 字仁高
Grand General of the Han and
Prefect of Yuyang 漢大將軍、漁陽郡太守
Li Zhongxiang 李仲翔
Prefect of Hedong
also held the military rank of
General Who Conquers the
West 河東郡太守、征西將軍
Li Bokao 李伯考
Prefect of Longxi and
Hedong 隴西、河東二郡太守
Li Shang 李尚
Magistrate of Chengji county
成紀縣令
Li Guang[4][5] 李廣 d.119 BC
General of Front Guard during
the Han dynasty 前將軍
Li Gan 李敢
Courtesy name Youqing 字幼卿
Minister of the Imperial Bodyguard
and Marquis of Guannei 郎中令、關內侯		Li Danghu 李當戶

Li Yu 李禹
Courtesy name Zitong 字子通
Li Ling李陵
d.74 BC
General of the Han dynasty
Li Chenggong 李丞公
Courtesy name Chenggong 字丞公
Prefect of Henan
河南郡太守		Yenisei Kirghiz Khagans
(surname Are 阿熱氏[4][34]
Khans of the Kirghiz Khaganate
all claimed descent from
Li Ling during the Tang dynasty
Li Xian 李先
Courtesy name Jingzong 字敬宗
Prefect of Shu and
Beiping 蜀、北平二郡太守
Li Zhangzong 李長宗
Courtesy name Boli 字伯禮
Secretary to the Prefect
of Yuyang 漁陽郡丞
Li Junkuang 李君況
Courtesy names Shu 字叔
and Ziqi 一字子期
Imperial Savant, Court Consultant
and Intermediate Minister
博士、議郎、太中大夫
Li Ben 李本
Courtesy name Shangming 字上明
Served as Court Attendant
and Censor 郎中、侍御史
Li Cigong 李次公
Courtesy name Zhongjun 字仲君
Prefect of Ba and Captain of the
Western Barbarians (in modern day
Sichuan) 巴郡太守、西夷校尉
Li Gui 李軌
Courtesy name Wenyi 字文逸
Prefect of Linhuai in Wei of the
Three Kingdoms, later Minister of
Farming 三國魏臨淮郡太守、司農卿
Li Long 李隆
Courtesy name Yanxu 字彥緒
Magistrate of Chang'an and
General of Massed Crossbows
長安令、積弩將軍
Li Ai 李艾
Courtesy name Shiji 字世績
General of Cavalry and Prefect
of Wei in the Western
Jin 西晉驍騎將軍、魏郡太守
Li Yong 李雍
Courtesy name Junxi 字俊熙
Prefect of Jibei and Dongguan
in the Western Jin. 濟北、東莞二郡太守
Li Yan 李弇
Courtesy name Jizi 字季子
Served Zhang Jun, king of the
Former Liang, as Prefect of Tianshui,
General of the Bodyguard,
and Marquis of Anxi Pavilion.
前涼張駿天水郡太守、武衛將軍、安西亭侯
Li Chang 李昶
Courtesy name Zhongjian 字仲堅
Lecturer to the Crown
Prince of the Former
Liang 前涼太子侍講
Li Gao 李暠 d.417AD
Courtesy name Xuansheng 字玄盛
King Wuzhao of the Western Liang
(founded Western Liang in 400 AD)
and posthumously titled of Emperor
Xingsheng 西涼武昭王、興聖皇帝
Prince Wuzhao of (Western)
Liang (西)涼武昭王主
Li Xin 李歆 d. 420
Courtesy name Shiye 字士業
Sovereign of Western Liang 西涼後主
Sovereign of Western Liang 西涼君主		Li Xun李恂 d. 421
Sovereign of Western Liang 西涼君主
Sovereign of Western Liang 西涼君主
Li Chong'er 李重耳
Courtesy name Jingshun 字景順
When the Western Liang was conquered
[by the Northern Liang in 421], he fled to the
Liu-Song and was appointed Prefect of Runan.
Later, when the Northern Wei conquered
Yuzhou province he surrendered to them
and was appointed Prefect of Hengnong.
Yuzhou was then recaptured by
General Xue Andu of the Song.
Later served as General Who Subdues
the South and Governor of Yuzhou under
the Northern Wei. 以國亡奔宋，為汝南郡太守
北魏克豫州，以地歸之，拜恒農郡太守，
複為宋將薛安都所陷，北魏安南將軍、豫州刺史
Li Xi 李熙
Courtesy name Mengliang 字孟良
General garrisoning Jinmen under
the Northern Wei. Posthumously given
the title Xianzu by the Tang
dynasty 北魏金門鎮將。（唐獻祖）
Li Tianci 李天賜 or Li Tianxi 李天錫
Courtesy name Dezhen 字德真
Posthumously given the title
Tang Yizu（唐懿祖）
Li Hu 李虎 d.551
Courtesy name Wenbin 字文彬
Grand Pillar-of-the-State General
under the Northern Zhou, and enfeoffed
as Duke Xiang of the Duchy of Tang.
Posthumously titled as Tang Taizu.
北周柱國大將軍、唐國襄公。（唐太祖）
Duke of Longxi 隴西郡公
Li Bing 李昺 d.572
Courtesy name Dezhen 字德真
Military Superintendent of Anzhou under the
Northern Zhou, Grand Pillar-of-the-State General,
and Duke Ren of Tang. Posthumously
Tang Daizu. 北周安州總管、柱國大將軍、
唐國仁公。（唐代祖）Duke of Tang 唐國公
Li Yuan 李淵 566–635
Gaozu 高祖
618–626
124
Li Jiancheng 李建成 589–626
Cr.Prince Yin 隱太子		Li Shimin 李世民 599–649
Taizong 太宗
626–649		Li Yuanji 李元吉 603–626
Prince of Qi 齊王
38
Li Ke 李恪 d. 653
Prince of Yulin 鬱林王		Li Zhen 李貞 d. 688
Prince Jing of Yue 越敬王
149ZHOU DYNASTY
Li Chengqian 李承乾 619–645
Prince Min of Hengshan 恆山愍王		Li Tai 李泰 618–652
Prince Gong of Pu 濮恭王		Li Zhi 李治 628–683
Gaozong 高宗
649–683		Wu Zhao 武曌 624–705
Wu Zetian 武則天
690–705
145 (1)7 (3)8 (4)
Li Zhong 李忠 643–665
Prince of Yan 燕王		Li Sujie 李素節 646–690
Prince of Xu 許王		Li Hong 李弘 652–675
Xiaojing 孝敬		Li Xian 李顯 656–710
Zhongzong 中宗
684, 705–710		Li Dan 李旦 662–716
Ruizong 睿宗
684–690, 710–712
4
Li Chongmao 李重茂 695/698–714
Shangdi 殤帝
710
13
Li Chengqi 李成器 679–742
Rangdi 讓帝		Li Longji 李隆基 685–762
Xuanzong I 玄宗
712–756
12316
Li Cong 李琮 d. 752
Fengtian 奉天		Li Ying 李瑛 d. 737
Crown Prince		Li Heng 李亨 711–762
Suzong 肅宗
756–762		Li Lin 李璘 d. 757
Prince of Yong 永王
13
Li Yu 李豫 727–779
Daizong 代宗
762–779		Li Tan 李倓 d. 757
Chengtian 承天
1
Li Gua 李适 742–805
Dezong 德宗
779–805
1
Li Song 李誦 761–806
Shunzong 順宗
805
1
Li Chun 李純 778–820
Xianzong 憲宗
805–820
1313
Li Ning 李寧 793–812
Cr.Prince Huizhao 惠昭太子		Li Heng 李恆 795–824
Muzong 穆宗
820–824		Li Chen 李忱 810–859
Xuānzong 宣宗
846–859
1251
Li Zhan 李湛 809–827
Jingzong 敬宗
824–827		Li Ang 李昂 809–840
Wenzong 文宗
827–840		Li Yang 李炎 814–846
Wuzong 武宗
840–846		Li Cui 李漼 833–873
Yizong 懿宗
859–873
57
Li Xuan 李儇 862–888
Xizong 僖宗
873–888		Li Yue 李曄 867–904
Zhaozong 昭宗
888–904
9
Li Zhu 李柷 892–908
Aidi 哀帝 or
Zhaoxuan 昭宣
904–907

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Ebrey, Patricia Buckley; Walthall, Anne; Palais, James B. (2006), East Asia: A Cultural, Social, and Political History, Boston: Houghton Mifflin, pp. 90–91, ISBN 0-618-13384-4
  2. ^ Adshead, S.A.M. (2004), T'ang China: The Rise of the East in World History, New York: Palgrave Macmillan, pp. 40–41, ISBN 1-4039-3456-8
  3. ^ Kenneth Scott Latourette (1934). The Chinese: their history and culture. Macmillan. p. 191.
  4. ^ a b c d Michael Robert Drompp (2005). Tang China And The Collapse Of The Uighur Empire: A Documentary History. BRILL. pp. 126–. ISBN 90-04-14129-4.
  5. ^ a b Victor H. Mair; Nancy Shatzman Steinhardt; Paul Rakita Goldin (2005). Hawai'i reader in traditional Chinese culture. University of Hawai'i Press. p. 376. ISBN 978-0-8248-2785-4.
  6. ^ Jonathan Karam Skaff (6 August 2012). Sui-Tang China and Its Turko-Mongol Neighbors: Culture, Power, and Connections, 580-800. Oxford University Press. pp. 125–. ISBN 978-0-19-999627-8.
  7. ^ Jeroen Duindam; Tülay Artan; Metin Kunt (11 August 2011). Royal Courts in Dynastic States and Empires: A Global Perspective. BRILL. pp. 177–. ISBN 978-90-04-20622-9.
  8. ^ Rubie Sharon Watson (1991). Marriage and Inequality in Chinese Society. University of California Press. pp. 80–. ISBN 978-0-520-07124-7.
  9. ^ Tang, Qiaomei (May 2016). Divorce and the Divorced Woman in Early Medieval China (First through Sixth Century) (PDF) (A dissertation presented by Qiaomei Tang to The Department of East Asian Languages and Civilizations in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in the subject of East Asian Languages and Civilizations). Cambridge, Massachusetts: Harvard University. pp. 151, 152, 153.
  10. ^ Veronika Veit, ed. (2007). The role of women in the Altaic world: Permanent International Altaistic Conference, 44th meeting, Walberberg, 26-31 August 2001. Vol. 152 of Asiatische Forschungen (illustrated ed.). Otto Harrassowitz Verlag. p. 61. ISBN 978-3447055376. Retrieved 8 February 2012.
  11. ^ Michael Robert Drompp (2005). Tang China and the collapse of the Uighur Empire: a documentary history. Vol. 13 of Brill's Inner Asian library (illustrated ed.). BRILL. p. 126. ISBN 9004141294. Retrieved 8 February 2012.
  12. ^ Kyzlasov, Leonid R. (2010). The Urban Civilization of Northern and Innermost Asia Historical and Archaeological Research (PDF). Curatores seriei VICTOR SPINEI et IONEL CANDEÂ VII. Vol. The Urban Civilization of Northern and Innermost Asia Historical and Archaeological Research. ROMANIAN ACADEMY INSTITUTE OF ARCHAEOLOGY OF IAȘI Editura Academiei Romane - Editura Istros. p. 245. ISBN 978-973-27-1962-6. Florilegium magistrorum historiae archaeologiaeque Antiqutatis et Medii Aevi.
  13. ^ Veronika Veit, ed. (2007). The role of women in the Altaic world: Permanent International Altaistic Conference, 44th meeting, Walberberg, 26-31 August 2001. Vol. 152 of Asiatische Forschungen (illustrated ed.). Otto Harrassowitz Verlag. p. 61. ISBN 978-3447055376. Retrieved 8 February 2012.
  14. ^ Michael R. Drompp (1999). "Breaking the Orkhon tradition: Kirghiz adherence to the Yenisei region after A. D. 840". Journal of the American Oriental Society. 119 (3): 390–403. doi:10.2307/605932. JSTOR 605932.
  15. ^ Michael Robert Drompp (2005). Tang China and the collapse of the Uighur Empire: a documentary history. Brill's Inner Asian library. Vol. 13. Brill. ISBN 9004141294.
  16. ^ John W. Chaffee (1999). Branches of Heaven: A History of the Imperial Clan of Sung China. Harvard Univ Asia Center. pp. 8–. ISBN 978-0-674-08049-2.
  17. ^ Chang Woei Ong (2008). Men of Letters Within the Passes: Guanzhong Literati in Chinese History, 907-1911. Harvard University Asia Center. p. 29. ISBN 978-0-674-03170-8.
  18. ^ Tackett, Nicolas Olivier (2006). THE TRANSFORMATION OF MEDIEVAL CHINESE ELITES (850-1000 C.E.) (Submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences). COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY. p. 67.f
  19. ^ Sanping, Chen (Nov 1996). "Succession Struggle and the Ethnic Identity of the Tang Imperial House". Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society. Third Series. 6 (3): 379–405. doi:10.1017/S1356186300007793.
  20. ^ Wu, Mandy Jui-man (2004). "Exotic Goods as Mortuary Display in Sui Dynasty Tombs--A Case Study of Li Jingxun's Tomb". Sino-Platonic Papers. 142: 55.
  21. ^ Chen, Sanping (1996). "Succession Struggle and the Ethnic Identity of the Tang Imperial House". Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society. 6 (3): 381. doi:10.1017/S1356186300007793. ISSN 1356-1863. JSTOR 25183243. The official histories compiled during the Tang had been subjected to much political doctoring in order to mask and conceal the imperial house's "barbarian" background. The newest proof is the recent archaeological discovery showing that another contemporary prominent Li clan, namely that of Li Xian, the Northern Zhou Grand General with the same Longxi ancestry claim, was in fact of unmistakable Tuoba Xianbei descent.
  22. ^ Hugh R. Clark (2007). Portrait of a Community: Society, Culture, and the Structures of Kinship in the Mulan River Valley (Fujian) from the Late Tang Through the Song. Chinese University Press. pp. 39–40. ISBN 978-962-996-227-2.
  23. ^ Hugh R. Clark (2007). Portrait of a Community: Society, Culture, and the Structures of Kinship in the Mulan River Valley (Fujian) from the Late Tang Through the Song. Chinese University Press. pp. 77–. ISBN 978-962-996-227-2.
  24. ^ "Past Glory Shines in Ancient Village". China Daily. December 9, 2002.
  25. ^ Ouyang, Xiu (5 April 2004). Historical Records of the Five Dynasties. Richard L. Davis, translator. Columbia University Press. pp. 76–. ISBN 978-0-231-50228-3.
  26. ^ "Xidi Village". ChinaTour.Net.
  27. ^ "China Xidi-Huangshan Xidi-Welcome To Xidi". China Xidi.
  28. ^ "Xidi village ancient village in the south of Anhui". China Escapade. Archived from the original on 2018-05-06. Retrieved 2018-05-05.
  29. ^ "Xidi Village". Meet China. Archived from the original on 2018-05-06. Retrieved 2018-05-05.
  30. ^ 周, 倩, ed. (2015-07-07). "Ancient Villages in Southern Anhui – Xidi and Hongcun". English Rednet.
  31. ^ "Two Beauties Below Yellow Mountain". China Digital Review. July 27, 2015.
  32. ^ "Ancient Villages in Southern Anhui - Xidi and Hongcun" (PDF). UNESCO World Heritage Centre. 2 December 2000.
  33. ^ Latourette 1934, p. 191.
  34. ^ Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain and Ireland (1889). Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain & Ireland. Cambridge University Press for the Royal Asiatic Society. pp. 386–.
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