Ancient Chinese Culture: Basic Facts & Terms

  • Bai Juyi

    Bai Juyi (772–846 CE) was a renowned poet of the Tang dynasty, with the courtesy name Letian. His ancestral home was Taiyuan (in present-day Shanxi), but his family later moved to Xiagui (modern-day Weinan, Shaanxi). 

  • White Emperor

    One of the Five Heavenly Emperors in ancient Chinese mythology, the White Emperor is the deity of the west. His name is said to be Bai Zhaoju. 

  • An Lushan Rebellion

    The rebellion,An Lushan-Shi Siming Rebellion, launched by An Lushan and Shi Siming during the Tang dynasty, also known as the Tianbao Rebellion. 

  • Liu Bang

    Liu Bang (256 or 247 BCE – 195 BCE), posthumously known as Emperor Gaozu of Han, was the founder of the Western Han dynasty and reigned from 202 to 195 BCE. His courtesy name was Ji, and he was from Pei County (in present-day Xuzhou, Jiangsu). He initially served as a minor local official…

  • Lie Yukou

    Lie Yukou was a representative figure of Daoism in the early Warring States period. He is also known as Yu Kou, Yu Kou, or Liezi. Traditionally believed to be from the state of Zheng (in present-day Zhengzhou, Henan) during the Warring States era, he advocated the principles of emptiness, stillness, and non-action (wu wei),…

  • Zhang Liang

    Zhang Liang (?–189 BCE) was a prominent statesman in the early Western Han dynasty. His courtesy name was Zifang, and he was from Chengfu, Yingchuan (in present-day southwestern Xiangcheng, Henan). His ancestors were nobles of the former state of Han, with five generations serving as Han ministers. Seeking revenge for the Qin conquest of…

  • Tao Yuanming

    Tao Yuanming (365–427CE) was a poet of the Eastern Jin dynasty. Also known as Tao Qian, with the courtesy name Yuanliang, he was given the posthumous private honorific title “Jingjie.” He was from Chaisang, Xunyang (in present-day southwestern Jiujiang, Jiangxi). He held several official posts, including Chief Sacrificial Wine Officer of Jiangzhou, Military Advisor…

  • Sima Xiangru

    Sima Xiangru (c. 179–118 BCE) was a renowned fu (rhapsody) writer of the Western Han dynasty. His courtesy name was Changqing, and he was from Chengdu, Shu Commandery (in present-day Sichuan). From a young age, he loved reading and swordsmanship. During the reign of Emperor Jing, he served as a Gentleman of the Mounted…

  • Wang Xizhi

    Wang Xizhi (303–361) was a calligrapher of the Eastern Jin dynasty. His courtesy name was Yishao, and he was from Langya Linyi (in present-day Shandong Province). Born into an aristocratic family, he rose to the rank of General of the Right Army, earning him the popular title “Wang Youjun” (Wang of the Right Army).