The Niohuru ( Manchu: ; in Manchu) were a prominent Manchu clan during the

Qing dynasty The Qing dynasty ( ), officially the Great Qing,, was a Manchu-led imperial dynasty of China and the last orthodox dynasty in Chinese history. It emerged from the Later Jin dynasty founded by the Jianzhou Jurchens, a Tungusic-spea ...

. The clan had inhabited the

Changbai Mountains The Changbai Mountains ( simplified Chinese:长白山; traditional Chinese:長白山) are a major mountain range in Northeast Asia that extends from the Northeast Chinese provinces of Heilongjiang, Jilin and Liaoning, across the border bet ...

since as early as the Liao dynasty. The clan was well known during the Qing dynasty for producing a variety of consorts of all ranks for emperors, several of whom went on to become mothers to reigning emperors. Prominent people who belonged or trace heritage to the Niohuru clan including famed Manchu warrior

Eidu Eidu (Manchu: , , 1562–1622) was a Manchu officer and a member of the Niohuru clan. Family Consort and their respective issue(s): *Madame, of unknown clan (失姓氏夫人) **Banxi (班席), first son **Tuerxi (图尔席), ninth son *Madame, ...

, his son the high official

Ebilun Ebilun (Manchu:, Mölendroff: ebilun; ; died 1673) was a Manchu noble and warrior of the Niohuru clan, most famous for being one of the Four Regents assisting the young Kangxi Emperor from 1661 to 1667, during the early Qing dynasty (1644–191 ...

, the Empress Dowager Ci'an, the infamous corrupt official

Heshen Heshen (; ; 1 July 1750 – 22 February 1799) of the Manchu Niohuru clan, was an official of the Qing dynasty favored by the Qianlong Emperor and called the most corrupt official in Chinese history. After the death of Qianlong, the Jiaqing ...

, the contemporary concert pianist Lang Lang and Lang Tsuyun (Ann Lang), Taiwanese TV, movie and stage actress, singer and producer

Distribution

Written records of the Niohuru clan dates back to the

Liao dynasty The Liao dynasty (; Khitan language, Khitan: ''Mos Jælud''; ), also known as the Khitan Empire (Khitan: ''Mos diau-d kitai huldʒi gur''), officially the Great Liao (), was an Dynasties in Chinese history, imperial dynasty of China that exi ...

(907–1125), when it was known as the ''Dilie'' clan (敌烈氏) by Chinese transliteration. The current transliteration Niohuru came into being during the

Ming dynasty The Ming dynasty (), officially the Great Ming, was an imperial dynasty of China, ruling from 1368 to 1644 following the collapse of the Mongol-led Yuan dynasty. The Ming dynasty was the last orthodox dynasty of China ruled by the Han peo ...

. The Niohuru clan inhabited the

Changbai mountains The Changbai Mountains ( simplified Chinese:长白山; traditional Chinese:長白山) are a major mountain range in Northeast Asia that extends from the Northeast Chinese provinces of Heilongjiang, Jilin and Liaoning, across the border bet ...

region of present-day Jilin province in northeast China (otherwise known as "Manchuria"), and also on the banks of the Songhua River and

Mudan River The Mudan River (; IPA: ; ) is a river in Heilongjiang province in China. It is a right tributary of the Sunggari River. Its modern Chinese name can be translated as the "Peony River". In the past it was also known as the Hurka or Hurha River ...

. According to members of the clan who attempted to re-trace their genealogy, the common primogenitor of the vast tribe date back to one Sohoji Bayan (honorific ''Su Gung''), who was six generations removed from

, the first eminent Niohuru clan member in recorded Qing history. The Niohuru were widely distributed throughout the territory of the Manchu empire, and each of the

Eight Banners The Eight Banners (in Manchu: ''jakūn gūsa'', ) were administrative and military divisions under the Later Jin and Qing dynasties of China into which all Manchu households were placed. In war, the Eight Banners functioned as armies, but the ...

had some Niohurus among their ranks. Towards the end of the Qing dynasty and particularly after the founding the Republic of China in 1912, many Manchus adopted single-character Chinese surnames based on their clan origin. The Niohuru were known to have adopted to two versions, "Niu" (钮), which could be found in the modern province of Jiangxi in addition to Manchuria; and "

Lang Lang may refer to: * Lang (surname), a surname of independent Germanic or Chinese origin Places * Lang Island (Antarctica), East Antarctica * Lang Nunatak, Antarctica * Lang Sound, Antarctica * Lang Park, a stadium in Brisbane, Australia * L ...

" (朗). Lang sounded like "wolf" in Chinese (狼), roughly corresponding to the Manchu root word ''Niohe'' for Niohuru meaning "wolf". Niu 钮 is on the

Hundred Family Surnames The ''Hundred Family Surnames'' (), commonly known as ''Bai Jia Xing'', also translated as ''Hundreds of Chinese Surnames'', is a classic Chinese text composed of common Chinese surnames. An unknown author compiled the book during the Song dy ...

poem.

Notable figures

Males

(1562–1621), Manchu noble, close associate of

Nurhaci Nurhaci (14 May 1559 – 30 September 1626), also known by his temple name as the Emperor Taizu of Qing (), was a Jurchen chieftain who rose to prominence in the late 16th century in Manchuria. A member of the House of Aisin-Gioro, he reigned ...

** Daqi (), Eidu's second son ** Turgei (; 1594–1645), Eidu's eighth son; officer of Manchu armies during the reign of Hong Taiji **

(d. 1673), Eidu's 16th son by Mukushen; served as one of the

Four Regents of the Kangxi Emperor The Four Regents of the Kangxi Emperor were nominated by the Shunzhi Emperor to oversee the government of the Qing dynasty during the early reign of the Kangxi Emperor before he came of age. The four were Sonin, Ebilun, Suksaha, and Oboi. Backgrou ...

*** Necin (; d. 1749), Ebilun's grandson; Manchu overseer of the Board of War during the Qianlong era ***

Alingga Alingga (, Manchu: ; ''c''.1670–1716), of the Niohuru clan, was a Manchu noble of the Bordered Yellow Banner. An official at court during the late reign of the Kangxi Emperor, Alingga played a major role in the succession struggle between the ...

(1670–1716), Ebilun's seventh son; official at the court of the Kangxi Emperor *

(1750–1799), infamous official of the late Qianlong era ** Fengšeninde (; 1775–1810), Heshen's first son *Mukedengbu (穆克登布; d. 1803),grandfather of

Empress Xiaoquancheng Empress Xiaoquancheng (24 March 1808 – 13 February 1840), of the Manchu Bordered Yellow Banner Niohuru clan, was a posthumous name bestowed to the wife and second empress consort of Mianning, the Daoguang Emperor. She was Empress consort of ...

**Yiling (頤齡/颐龄), served as a first rank military official (駐防將軍/驻防将军，pinyin:zhufangjiangjun) in Suzhou, and held the title of a third class duke (三等公) * Sihung Lung (1930–2002), Taiwan actor *

Niu Maosheng Niu Maosheng (; born 1939) is an ethnic Manchu People's Republic of China politician. Biography He was born in Beijing. He was governor of Hebei. He was minister of water resources (1993–1998). He was a delegate to the 9th National People's ...

(born 1939), Governor of Hebei *

Larry Hsien Ping Lang Larry Hsien Ping Lang () (a.k.a. Larry Lang, Larry H.P. Lang, Lang Xianping, and Lang Hsien-ping) (born 1956) is a well-known Hong Kong-based economist, commentator, author and TV host in China. Lang has become a famous and controversial figure ...

(born 1956), Hong Kong economist *

Doze Niu Doze Niu (, also known as Niu Chen-zer; born June 22, 1966) is a Taiwanese actor, film director, show host, screenwriter, and producer. As a film director, he is best known for the Taiwanese film '' Monga''. Early life Niu was born in Taipei, ...

(born 1966), Taiwan director * Lang Lang (born 1982), internationally renowned concert pianist ; Prince Consort

Females

Imperial Consort * Empress ** Empress Xiaozhaoren (1659–1678), the

Kangxi Emperor The Kangxi Emperor (4 May 1654– 20 December 1722), also known by his temple name Emperor Shengzu of Qing, born Xuanye, was the third emperor of the Qing dynasty, and the second Qing emperor to rule over China proper, reigning from 1661 to ...

's second empress **

Empress Xiaoshengxian Empress Xiaoshengxian (12 January 1692 – 2 March 1777), of the Manchu Bordered Yellow Banner Niohuru clan, was a posthumous name bestowed to the consort of Yinzhen, the Yongzheng Emperor and mother of Hongli, the Qianlong Emperor. She was ...

(1692–1777), the

Yongzheng Emperor The Yongzheng Emperor (13 December 1678 – 8 October 1735), also known by his temple name Emperor Shizong of Qing, born Yinzhen, was the fourth Emperor of the Qing dynasty, and the third Qing emperor to rule over China proper. He reigned from ...

's noble consort, the mother of the Qianlong Emperor (1711–1799) **

Empress Xiaoherui Empress Xiaoherui (20 November 1776 – 23 January 1850), of the Manchu Bordered Yellow Banner Niohuru clan, was a posthumous name bestowed to the wife and second empress consort of Yongyan, the Jiaqing Emperor. She was Empress consort of Qin ...

(1776–1850), the

Jiaqing Emperor The Jiaqing Emperor (13 November 1760 – 2 September 1820), also known by his temple name Emperor Renzong of Qing, born Yongyan, was the sixth emperor of the Manchu-led Qing dynasty, and the fifth Qing emperor to rule over China proper, from ...

's second empress, the mother of seventh daughter (1793–1795), Miankai (1795–1838) and Mianxin (1805–1828) ** Empress Xiaomucheng (1781–1808), the

Daoguang Emperor The Daoguang Emperor (; 16 September 1782 – 26 February 1850), also known by his temple name Emperor Xuanxong of Qing, born Mianning, was the seventh Emperor of the Qing dynasty, and the sixth Qing emperor to rule over China proper, reigning ...

's first primary consort **

(1808–1840), the

's second empress, the mother of Princess Duanshun (1825–1835), Princess Shou'an (1826–1860) and the

Xianfeng Emperor The Xianfeng Emperor (17 July 1831 – 22 August 1861), or by temple name Emperor Wenzong of Qing (), given name Yizhu (), was the eighth Emperor of the Qing dynasty, and the seventh Qing emperor to rule over China proper, reigned from 1850 t ...

(1831–1861) ** Empress Xiaozhenxian (1837–1881), the

's empress * Imperial Noble Consort ** Imperial Noble Consort Gongshun (1787–1860), the

's consort, the mother of eighth daughter (1805–1806), Princess Huimin (1811–1815) and Mianyu (1814–1865) * Noble Consort **

Noble Consort Wenxi Noble Consort Wenxi (died 19 December 1694), of the Manchu Bordered Yellow Banner Niohuru clan, was a consort of the Kangxi Emperor. Life Noble Consort Wenxi's personal name was not recorded in history. Family background Noble Consort Wenxi' ...

(1661–1694), the

's noble consort, the mother of

Yun'e Yun'e (28 November 1683 – 18 October 1741), born Yin'e, was a Manchu prince of the Qing dynasty of China. He was a relatively unremarkable prince who was primarily known to be a crony of his older brother Yunsi. Life Born in the Aisin Gioro ...

(1683–1741) and 11th daughter (1685–1686) ** Noble Consort Cheng (1813–1888), the

's noble lady * Consort ** Consort Xiang (1808–1861), the

's noble lady, the mother of second daughter (1825), Princess Shouzang (1829–1856) and

Yicong Yicong ( Wade-Giles: ''Yi-tsung'')(23 July 1831 – 18 February 1889), formally known as Prince Dun (or Prince Tun), was a Manchu prince of the Qing dynasty. Life Yicong was born in the Aisin Gioro clan as the fifth son of the Daoguang Empero ...

(1831–1889) * Imperial Concubine ** Imperial Concubine Cheng (d. 1784), the Qianlong Emperor's imperial concubine * Noble Lady ** Noble Lady Shun (1749–1780), the Qianlong Emperor's noble lady Princess Consort * Primary Consort ** Hong Taiji's first primary consort (1593–1612), the mother of Lobohoi (1611–1617) **

Yunli Yunli (24 March 1697 – 21 March 1738), born Yinli, formally known as Prince Guo, was a Manchu prince of the Qing dynasty. Life Yinli was born in the Aisin Gioro clan as the 17th son of the Kangxi Emperor. His mother was Consort Qin (勤 ...

's primary consort ** Yongrong's second primary consort, the mother of Mianxin (1775–1777), Princess (b. 1776) and Mianqing (1779–1804) ** Yonglin's first primary consort (d. 1801), the mother of Mianheng (1790), second son (1793–1795) and second daughter (1796–1801) ** Miankai's primary consort, the mother of Yizuan (1818–1821) **

Yihe Aisin Gioro Yihe (奕詥; 14 March 1844 – 17 December 1868) was Daoguang Emperor's eighth son and the first holder of Prince Zhong peerage. As the peerage was not granted perpetual inheritability, Yihe's potential successors would hold diminished ...

's primary consort (d. 1871) * Secondary Consort **

Yunbi Aisin Gioro Yunbi (允秘; 5 July 1716 – 3 December 1773), born Yinbi , formally known by his title as Prince Xian (𫍯王) , was an imperial prince of the Qing Dynasty and the 24th surviving son of the Kangxi Emperor. Life Yinbi was born o ...

's secondary consort, the mother of Lady (b. 1738) and Hongkang (1747–1814) * Concubine **

's concubine, the mother of Tanggūdai (1585–1640) and Tabai (1589–1639) ** The

's concubine, the mother of 20th daughter (1708 – 1708 or 1709) ** Changning's concubine, the mother of sixth daughter (1684–1712) * Lang Tsuyun 郎祖筠, Taiwanese entertainment personality, famous for TV, movie and stage acting, singer, writer and producer.

Gallery

File:Zha La Feng A.jpg, alt=zhalafenga, Prince consort Zhalafeng'a, a husband of Princess Shouxi of the Second Rank, a daughter of the Daoguang Emperor File:《慈安皇太后朝服像》.png, Empress Dowager Ci'an File:《孝全成皇后朝服像》局部 2.jpg, Empress Xiaoquancheng in court dress File:Half - Empresss XiaoZhao.JPG, Empress Xiaozhaoren in court dress File:《孝圣宪皇后朝服像》局部.jpg, Empress Xiaoshengxian in court dress , by Giuseppe Castiglione File:《孝和睿皇后朝服像》.jpg, Empress Xiaoherui in court dress File:Ebilun.jpg, An imperial portrait of Ebilun

References