Family tree of Chinese monarchs (middle)

This is a family tree of Chinese monarchs from the Northern and Southern dynasties period to the collapse of the Southern Song dynasty.

Southern and Northern Dynasties

Liu Song

Southern Qi

Liang dynasty and Western Liang

Chen dynasty

Northern Wei, Eastern Wei, Western Wei

Northern Qi

Northern Zhou

Sui dynasty

The following is a simplified family tree for the Sui dynasty (隋朝), which ruled China between AD 581 and 618. The dynasty was named for the family title: the Yang (楊) family were the Dukes of Sui.

Those who became emperor are listed in bold, with their years of reign large. The names given for emperors are posthumous names, the form by which Sui emperors were most commonly known.

Tang and Wu Zhou dynasties

The following is a simplified family tree for the Tang dynasty (唐朝), which ruled China between AD 618 and 907. The Tang dynasty was interrupted by the reign of Empress Wu Zetian (AD 690–705), who after deposing her sons, declared herself the founder of a Wu Zhou dynasty (武周); the Tang dynasty was resumed by her sons following her abdication. The dynasty was named for the family title: the Li (李) family were the Dukes of Tang.

The names given in bold for emperors are temple names, the form by which Tang emperors were most commonly known (with the exception of Shangdi/Shaodi (殤帝 / 少帝), whose posthumous titles mean simply "died young" and "the young emperor", and Aidi (哀帝), also known as Zhaoxuan (昭宣), neither of whom were awarded temple names). The names of Xuánzōng I (玄宗) and Xuānzōng II (宣宗) are originally different in Mandarin Chinese, but are rendered the same in Pinyin English transliteration (once the tones have been removed).

Tang and Wu Zhou dynasties

The Tang emperors claimed descent from people such as Li Guang and Laozi Li Yuan 李淵 566–635 Gaozu 高祖 618–6261 1 2 4 Li Jiancheng 李建成 589–626 Cr. Prince Yin 隱太子 Li Shimin 李世民 598–649 Taizong 太宗 626–6492 Li Yuanji 李元吉 603–626 Prince of Qi 齊王 Wu Shiyue 武士彠 559–635 King Zhongxiao 忠孝王 1 3 4 8 9 WU ZHOU DYNASTY Li Chengqian 李承乾 619–645 Prince Min of Hengshan 恆山愍王 Li Ke 李恪 d. 653 Prince of Yulin 鬱林王 Li Tai 李泰 618–652 Prince Gong of Pu 濮恭王 Li Zhen 李貞 d. 688 Prince Jing of Yue 越敬王 Li Zhi 李治 628–683 Gaozong 高宗 649–6833 Wu Zhao 武曌 624–705 Wu Zetian 武則天 690–7051(6) 1 4 5 (1) 6 (2) 7 (3) 8 (4) (6) 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 李賢 653–684 Cr. Prince Zhanghuai 章懷太子 Li Xian 李顯 656–710 Zhongzong 中宗 684, 705–7104 Li Dan 李旦 662–716 Ruizong 睿宗 684–690, 710–7125 Princess Taiping 太平公主 665(?)–713 2 1 2 3 4 1 3 Li Shouli 李守礼 672–741 Cr. Prince Xima Li Chongrun 李重潤 682–701 Cr. Prince Yide 懿德太子 Li Chongfu 李重福 680–710 Prince Qiao 譙王 Li Chongjun 李重俊 d. 707 Cr. Prince Jiemin 節愍太子 Li Chongmao 李重茂 695/698–714 Shangdi 殤帝 7107 Li Guo'er 李裹兒 684(?)–710 Princess Anle 安樂公主 Li Chengqi 李成器 679–742 Rangdi 讓帝 Li Longji 李隆基 685–762 Xuanzong 玄宗 712–7568 1 1 2 3 16 Li Chenghong 李承宏 Pr. of Guangwu 廣武王 Emperor in Chang'an 763 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 756–7629 Li Lin 李璘 d. 757 Prince of Yong 永王 1 3 9 Li Yu 李豫 727–779 Daizong 代宗 762–77910 Li Tan 李倓 d. 757 Chengtian 承天 Li Guang 李僙 d. 791 Prince of Xiang 1 1 Li Gua 李适 742–805 Dezong 德宗 779–80511 Li Xuan 李宣 Prince of Yiwu 伊吾郡王 1 Li Song 李誦 761–806 Shunzong 順宗 80512 □ 1 Li Chun 李純 778–820 Xianzong 憲宗 805–82013 Li Yun 李熅 d. 887 Prince of Xiang 襄王 Emperor in Chang'an 886–887 1 3 6 13 Li Ning 李寧 793–812 Cr. Prince Huizhao Li Heng 李恆 795–824 Muzong 穆宗 820–82414 Li Wu 李悟 d. 826 Prince of Jiàng 絳王 Li Chen 李忱 810–859 Xuānzong 宣宗 846–85918 1 2 3 4 5 1 5 Li Zhan 李湛 809–827 Jingzong 敬宗 824–82715 Li Ang 李昂 809–840 Wenzong 文宗 827–84016 Li Cou 李湊 d. 835 Cr. Prince Huaiyi Li Rong 李溶 812–840 Prince of An 安王 Li Yan 李炎 814–846 65px Wuzong 武宗 840–84617 Li Cui 李漼 833–873 Yizong 懿宗 859–87319 Li Zi 李滋 d. 897 Prince of Tong 通王 1 1 5 7 Li Pu 李普 824–828 Cr. Prince Daohuai 悼懷太子 Li Chengmei 李成美 d. 840 Prince of Chen 陳王 Li Yong 李永 d. 838 Cr. Prince Zhuangke 莊恪太子 Li Xuan 李儇 862–888 Xizong 僖宗 873–88820 Li Yue 李曄 867–904 Zhaozong 昭宗 888–90421 1 9 Li Yu 李裕 d. 905 Prince of De 德王 Li Zhu 李柷 892–908 Aidi 哀帝 or Zhaoxuan 昭宣 904–90722

Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period

The fifty years between the fall of the Tang dynasty and the establishment of the Song dynasty were a time of upheaval known as the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period. During this period, five short-lived imperial dynasties ruled the heart of China, while a series of small independent kingdoms were established in the south.

Later Liang

The Later Liang ruled between 907 and 923.

Later Tang

The Later Tang ruled between 923 and 937.

Later Jin

The Later Jin ruled between 936 and 947.

Later Han and Northern Han

The Later Han ruled between 947 and 951. Liu Min, brother of Emperor Gaozu the founder of the Later Han, established the Northern Han kingdom, which ruled the area north of the Chinese heartland until it was overrun by Emperor Taizong of Song in 979.

Later Zhou

The Later Zhou ruled between 951 and 960.

Former Shu

Later Shu

The Later Shu kingdom gained independence from the Later Tang in 934, remaining an independent state until conquered by the Song dynasty in 965.

Wu and Southern Tang

The Wu kingdom existed as an independent state 907–937. In 937 Li Bian (also known as Xu Zhigao), at one point an adopted son of Yang Xingmi and later the adopted son of the paramount general Xu Wen, usurped power and established the Southern Tang kingdom, which remained an independent state until conquered by the Song dynasty in 975.

Wuyue

Min

Ma Chu

Southern Han

Jingnan

Song dynasty

The following is a simplified family tree for the Song dynasty, which ruled China between 960 and 1279. The names given are temple names, the form by which Song Emperors are most commonly known (with the exception of the last emperor, Bing, who is simply known by his given name). The Song dynasty is often divided into the Northern Song (960–1127), which ended when the Song lost control of Northern China to the Jin dynasty, and the Southern Song (1127–1279).

Song dynasty

– Northern Song emperors   – Southern Song emperors A dashed line denotes an adoption Zhao Hongyin 趙弘殷 899–956 Xuanzu 宣祖 2 3 Zhao Kuangyin 趙匡胤 927–976 Taizu 太祖 960–976 Zhao Guangyi 趙光義 939–997 Taizong 太宗 976–997 2 4 3 4 Zhao Dezhao 趙德昭 951–979 Prince Yi of Yan 燕懿王 Zhao Defang 趙德芳 959–981 Prince Kanghui of Qin 秦康惠王 Zhao Heng 趙恆 968–1022 Zhenzong 真宗 997–1022 Zhao Yuanfen 趙元份 969–1005 Prince Gongjing of Shang 商恭靖王 2 2 6 3 Zhao Weiji 趙惟吉 966-1010 Prince Ji 冀王 Zhao Weixian 趙惟憲 979–1016 Duke of Ying 英國公 Zhao Zhen 趙禎 1010–1063 Renzong 仁宗 1022–1063 Zhao Yunrang 趙允讓 995–1059 Prince Anyi of Pu 濮安懿王 4 3 13 Zhao Shoudu 趙守度 Marquess of Lujiang 庐江侯 Zhao Congyu 趙從郁 Marquess of Xinxing 新興侯 Zhao Shu 趙曙 1032–1067 Yingzong 英宗 1063–1067 1 Zhao Shikuo 趙世括 Duke of Jia 嘉国公 Zhao Shijiang 趙世將 Marquess of Huayin 華陰侯 Zhao Xu 趙頊 1048–1085 Shenzong 神宗 1067–1085 6 11 Zhao Lingjia 趙令稼 Duke of Fang 房国公 Zhao Linghua 趙令譮 Duke of Qing 慶國公 Zhao Xu 趙煦 1076–1100 Zhezong 哲宗 1085–1100 Zhao Ji 趙佶 1082–1135 File:Seated Portrait of Emperor Song Huizong.tif Huizong 徽宗 1100–1126 1 9 Zhao Zishi 趙子奭 Duke of Wu 吳國公 Zhao Zicheng 趙子偁 d.1143 Prince Anxi of Xiu 秀安僖王 Zhao Huan 趙桓 1100–1161 Qinzong 欽宗 1126–1127 Zhao Gou 趙構 1107–1187 Gaozong 高宗 1127–1162 2 Zhao Bowu 趙伯旿 Duke of Yi 益國公 Zhao Shen 趙昚 1127–1194 Xiaozong 孝宗 1162–1189 3 Zhao Shiyi 趙師意 Duke of Zhao 趙國公 Zhao Dun 趙惇 1147–1200 Guangzong 光宗 1189–1194 2 Zhao Xilu 趙希瓐 Prince Rong 榮王 Zhao Kuo 趙擴 1168–1224 Ningzong 寧宗 1194–1224 1 2 Zhao Yun 趙昀 1205–1264 Lizong 理宗 1224–1264 Zhao Yurui 趙與芮 1207–1287 Prince Rong 榮王 Zhao Mengqi 趙孟启 1240–1274 Duzong 度宗 1264–1274 1 2 3 Zhao Shi 趙昰 1268–1278 Duanzong 端宗 1276–1278 Zhao Xian 趙顯 1271–1323 65px Gongdi 恭帝 1274–1276 Zhao Bing 趙昺 1271–1279 Bing 昺 1278–1279

Liao, Jin, Western Xia dynasties

Liao dynasty

The following is a simplified family tree for the Liao dynasty, which ruled much of northern China between 907 and 1125. The names given are temple names, the form by which Liao Emperors are most commonly known (with the exception of the last emperor, Tianzuodi, who was not awarded a temple name).

Jin dynasty

The following is a simplified family tree for the Jin dynasty. Arising from a family of Jurchen chieftains (whose inaugural years of rule are given in brackets), the dynasty was declared by Aguda in 1115; in 1125 his successor Wuqimai conquered the Liao dynasty. The Jin ruled much of northern China until their conquest by the Mongol Empire 1234. They were the cultural 'ancestors' of the Qing dynasty, which was initially named the Later Jin in recognition of this heritage. The names given are temple names, the form by which Jin emperors are most commonly known (with the exceptions of the Prince of Hailing, Prince Shao of Wei and Emperor Mo; these are posthumous names, as temple names were not awarded).

Western Xia and Dingnan Jiedushi

The following is a family tree of the military governor (Jiedushi) of Dingnan Circuit, the region that eventually evolved into the independent state of Western Xia, that existed between 1038 and 1227, followed by the family tree of the Western Xia emperors.

The Tuoba clan of the Xianbei of Tuyuhun founded the Western Xia. After the Tibetans destroyed the Tuyuhun in 670, its famous prince, Tuoba Chici, who controlled the Dangxiang Qiang submitted to the Tang, which "bestowed" upon him the royal name of Li (李). Towards the end of the Tang, the Tuoba brought troops to suppress the Huang Chao Rebellion (874–884) on behalf of the Tang court and took control of the Xia State, or Xia Zhou, in northern Shaanxi in 881. After the Tang fell in 907, the Tuoba descendants formally declared resistance against the expanding Northern Song in 982 and proclaimed independence to establish the Western Xia in 1038.

The foundation of Western Xia goes back to the year 982 under Li Jiqian. However, only in 1038 did the Tangut chieftain Li Yuanhao (son of Li Deming, named himself emperor of Da Xia and demanded the Song emperor recognise him as an equal. The Song court recognised Li Yuanhao as governor but not as "emperor", a title it regarded as exclusive to the Song emperor. After intense diplomatic contacts, in 1043 the Tangut state accepted the recognition of the Song emperor as emperor in exchange for annual gifts, which implied tacit recognition on the part of the Song of the military power of the Tanguts.