Temple names are posthumous titles accorded to monarchs of the

Sinosphere The East Asian cultural sphere, also known as the Sinosphere, the Sinic world, the Sinitic world, the Chinese cultural sphere, the Chinese character sphere encompasses multiple countries in East Asia and Southeast Asia that were historically ...

for the purpose of

ancestor worship The veneration of the dead, including one's ancestors, is based on love and respect for the deceased. In some cultures, it is related to beliefs that the dead have a continued existence, and may possess the ability to influence the fortune of t ...

. The practice of honoring monarchs with temple names began during the

Shang dynasty The Shang dynasty (), also known as the Yin dynasty (), was a Chinese royal dynasty founded by Tang of Shang (Cheng Tang) that ruled in the Yellow River valley in the second millennium BC, traditionally succeeding the Xia dynasty and ...

in China and had since been adopted by other dynastic regimes in the Sinosphere, with the notable exception of Japan. Temple names should not be confused with

era name A regnal year is a year of the reign of a sovereign, from the Latin ''regnum'' meaning kingdom, rule. Regnal years considered the date as an ordinal, not a cardinal number. For example, a monarch could have a first year of rule, a second year of ...

s (年號), regnal names (尊號) or

posthumous name A posthumous name is an honorary name given mostly to the notable dead in East Asian culture. It is predominantly practiced in East Asian countries such as China, Korea, Vietnam, Japan, and Thailand. Reflecting on the person's accomplishments or ...

s (謚號). Modern academia usually refers to the following rulers by their temple names: Chinese monarchs from the

Tang Tang or TANG most often refers to: * Tang dynasty * Tang (drink mix) Tang or TANG may also refer to: Chinese states and dynasties * Jin (Chinese state) (11th century – 376 BC), a state during the Spring and Autumn period, called Tang (唐) b ...

to the Yuan dynasties,

Korean rulers This is a list of monarchs of Korea, arranged by dynasty. Names are romanized according to the South Korean Revised Romanization of Korean. McCune–Reischauer romanizations may be found at the articles about the individual monarchs. Gojoseon G ...

of the

Goryeo Goryeo (; ) was a Korean kingdom founded in 918, during a time of national division called the Later Three Kingdoms period, that unified and ruled the Korean Peninsula until 1392. Goryeo achieved what has been called a "true national unificati ...

(until AD 1274) and

Joseon Joseon (; ; Middle Korean: 됴ᇢ〯션〮 Dyǒw syéon or 됴ᇢ〯션〯 Dyǒw syěon), officially the Great Joseon (; ), was the last dynastic kingdom of Korea, lasting just over 500 years. It was founded by Yi Seong-gye in July 1392 and re ...

dynasties, and Vietnamese rulers of the Lý,

Trần Trần (陳) or Tran is a common Vietnamese surname. More than 10% of all Vietnamese people share this surname. It is derived from the common Chinese surname Chen. History The Tran ruled the Trần dynasty, a golden era in Vietnam, and succe ...

, and Later Lê dynasties (with the Hồ and Later Trần dynasties as exceptions). Numerous individuals who did not rule as monarch during their lifetime were posthumously elevated to the position of monarch by their descendants and honored with temple names. For example,

Cao Cao Cao Cao () (; 155 – 15 March 220), courtesy name Mengde (), was a Chinese statesman, warlord and poet. He was the penultimate Grand chancellor (China), grand chancellor of the Eastern Han dynasty, and he amassed immense power in the End of ...

was posthumously honored as an emperor and given the temple name ''Taizu'' by

Cao Pi Cao Pi () ( – 29 June 226), courtesy name Zihuan, was the first emperor of the state of Cao Wei in the Three Kingdoms period of China. He was the second son of Cao Cao, a warlord who lived in the late Eastern Han dynasty, but the eldest son ...

of the

Cao Wei dynasty Wei (Hanzi: 魏; pinyin: ''Wèi'' <

Middle Chinese

: *''ŋjwei^C'' <

. Meanwhile, several individuals who were initially assigned temple names had their titles revoked, as was the case for Emperor Huan, whose temple name, ''Weizong'', was abolished by

Emperor Xian Emperor Xian of Han (2 April 181 – 21 April 234), personal name Liu Xie (劉協), courtesy name Bohe, was the 14th and last emperor of the Eastern Han dynasty in China. He reigned from 28 September 189 until 11 December 220. Liu Xie was a so ...

of the

Eastern Han dynasty The Han dynasty (, ; ) was an imperial dynasty of China (202 BC – 9 AD, 25–220 AD), established by Liu Bang (Emperor Gao) and ruled by the House of Liu. The dynasty was preceded by the short-lived Qin dynasty (221–207 BC) and a warr ...

. In other cases, numerous individuals were honored with more than one temple name by intentional changes or being accorded different titles by different individuals. For instance, the

Yongle Emperor The Yongle Emperor (; pronounced ; 2 May 1360 – 12 August 1424), personal name Zhu Di (), was the third Emperor of the Ming dynasty, reigning from 1402 to 1424. Zhu Di was the fourth son of the Hongwu Emperor, the founder of the Ming dyn ...

of the

Ming dynasty The Ming dynasty (), officially the Great Ming, was an Dynasties in Chinese history, imperial dynasty of China, ruling from 1368 to 1644 following the collapse of the Mongol Empire, Mongol-led Yuan dynasty. The Ming dynasty was the last ort ...

was originally honored as ''Taizong'' by the

Hongxi Emperor The Hongxi Emperor (16 August 1378 – 29 May 1425), personal name Zhu Gaochi (朱高熾), was the fourth Emperor of the Ming dynasty, reigned from 1424 to 1425. He succeeded his father, the Yongle Emperor, in 1424. His era name "Hongxi" means ...

, but his temple name was later amended to ''Chengzu'' by the

Jiajing Emperor The Jiajing Emperor (; 16September 150723January 1567) was the 12th List of emperors of the Ming dynasty, Emperor of the Ming dynasty, reigning from 1521 to 1567. Born Zhu Houcong, he was the former Zhengde Emperor's cousin. His father, Zhu You ...

. There were also instances of individuals ruling as the sovereign of a particular realm but being accorded a temple name by another realm, as was the case for Möngke of the

Mongol Empire The Mongol Empire of the 13th and 14th centuries was the largest contiguous land empire in history. Originating in present-day Mongolia in East Asia, the Mongol Empire at its height stretched from the Sea of Japan to parts of Eastern Europe, ...

, who was later honored as ''Xianzong'' by Emperor Shizu of the

Yuan dynasty The Yuan dynasty (), officially the Great Yuan (; xng, , , literally "Great Yuan State"), was a Mongol-led imperial dynasty of China and a successor state to the Mongol Empire after its division. It was established by Kublai, the fifth ...

. Ancient Chinese institutions

Etymology

The "temple" in "temple name" (廟號) refers to the grand temples (太廟) built by each dynasty for the purpose of ancestor worship. The temple name of each monarch was recorded on their respective ancestral tablet placed within the grand temple. Ancient Korean institutions

History

Temple names trace their origins to the

of China. In earlier times, temple names were exclusively assigned to competent rulers after their passing. The temple name system established during the Shang period utilized only four adjectives: * 太 (''tài''; "grand"): honored to dynastic founders; * 高 (''gāo''; "high"): honored to monarchs with great achievements; * 世 (''shì''; "eternal"): honored to rulers deemed worthy of eternal remembrance; and * 中 (''zhōng''; "resurgent"): honored to sovereigns who revitalized their realm following a period of decline. Chinese monarchs of the

Zhou dynasty The Zhou dynasty ( ; Old Chinese ( B&S): *''tiw'') was a royal dynasty of China that followed the Shang dynasty. Having lasted 789 years, the Zhou dynasty was the longest dynastic regime in Chinese history. The military control of China by th ...

were given

s but not temple names. During the

Qin dynasty The Qin dynasty ( ; zh, c=秦朝, p=Qín cháo, w=), or Ch'in dynasty in Wade–Giles romanization ( zh, c=, p=, w=Ch'in ch'ao), was the first Dynasties in Chinese history, dynasty of Imperial China. Named for its heartland in Qin (state), ...

, the practices both of assigning temple names and posthumous names was abandoned. The

Han dynasty The Han dynasty (, ; ) was an imperial dynasty of China (202 BC – 9 AD, 25–220 AD), established by Liu Bang (Emperor Gao) and ruled by the House of Liu. The dynasty was preceded by the short-lived Qin dynasty (221–207 BC) and a warr ...

reintroduced both titles, although temple names were assigned sporadically and remained more exclusive than posthumous names. It was also during the Han era that other adjectives aside from the four listed above began appearing in temple names. Numerous Han emperors had their temple names removed by

Liu Xie Liu Xie (, ca. 465–522), courtesy name Yanhe (), was a Chinese monk, politician, and writer. He was the author of China's greatest work of literary aesthetics, ''The Literary Mind and the Carving of Dragons'' (文心雕龍). His biography is inc ...

in AD 190. Initially, in deciding whether a monarch should be honored as "祖" (''zǔ''; "progenitor") or "宗" (''zōng''; "ancestor"), a principle was strictly adhered to: "祖" was to be given to accomplished rulers while "宗" was to be assigned to virtuous rulers. However, this principle was effectively abandoned during the

Sixteen Kingdoms The Sixteen Kingdoms (), less commonly the Sixteen States, was a chaotic period in Chinese history from AD 304 to 439 when northern China fragmented into a series of short-lived dynastic states. The majority of these states were founded by ...

era with the ubiquitous usage of "祖" by various non-

Han Han may refer to: Ethnic groups * Han Chinese, or Han People (): the name for the largest ethnic group in China, which also constitutes the world's largest ethnic group. ** Han Taiwanese (): the name for the ethnic group of the Taiwanese p ...

regimes. Temple names became widespread from the

Tang dynasty The Tang dynasty (, ; zh, t= ), or Tang Empire, was an Dynasties in Chinese history, imperial dynasty of China that ruled from 618 to 907 AD, with an Zhou dynasty (690–705), interregnum between 690 and 705. It was preceded by the Sui dyn ...

onwards. Apart from the final ruler of a dynasty, monarchs who died prematurely, or monarchs who were deposed, most Chinese monarchs were given temple names by their descendants. The practice of honoring rulers with temple names had since been adopted by other dynastic regimes within the

, including those based on the Korean Peninsula and in Vietnam. Japan, while having adopted both posthumous names and

s from China, did not assign temple names to its monarchs.

Structure

Most temple names consist of two

Chinese characters Chinese characters () are logograms developed for the writing of Chinese. In addition, they have been adapted to write other East Asian languages, and remain a key component of the Japanese writing system where they are known as ''kanji' ...

, unlike the more elaborate

s. In extremely rare cases, temple names could consist of three Chinese characters. The first character is an adjective, chosen to reflect the circumstances of the monarch's reign. The vocabulary may overlap with that of the posthumous names' adjectives, but for one sovereign, the temple name's adjective character usually does not repeat as one of the many adjective characters in his posthumous name. The last character is either "祖" or "宗": * 祖 (''zǔ''; "progenitor"): typically used for founders, either of a dynasty or a new line within an existing one. Temple names bearing this character were also accorded to monarchs with great accomplishments. The equivalent in Korean is ''jo'' (조), and ''tổ'' in Vietnamese. * 宗 (''zōng''; "ancestor"): used for all other monarchs. It is rendered as ''jong'' (종) in Korean, and ''tông'' in Vietnamese.

List of temple names with the suffix ''zǔ''

Individuals who are known by more than one temple name have their personal name in English romanization ''italicized''.

Tàizǔ (太祖)

The temple name ''Tàizǔ'' (太祖) can be translated to mean "Grand Progenitor". It was often given to the founder of a dynasty.

Gāozǔ (高祖)

The temple name ''Gāozǔ'' (高祖) can be translated to mean "High Progenitor". It was often given to the founder of a dynasty.

Chéngzǔ (成祖)

The temple name ''Chéngzǔ'' (成祖) can be translated to mean "Accomplished Progenitor".

Chúnzǔ (純祖)

The temple name ''Chúnzǔ'' (純祖) can be translated to mean "Refined Progenitor".

Chúnzǔ (淳祖)

The temple name ''Chúnzǔ'' (淳祖) can be translated to mean "Honorable Progenitor".

Dàizǔ (代祖)

The temple name ''Dàizǔ'' (代祖) can be translated to mean "Generational Progenitor".

Dàshèngzǔ (大聖祖)

The temple name ''Dàshèngzǔ'' (大聖祖) can be translated to mean "Great Sacred Progenitor".

Dézǔ (德祖)

The temple name ''Dézǔ'' (德祖) can be translated to mean "Virtuous Progenitor".

Dùzǔ (度祖)

The temple name ''Dùzǔ'' (度祖) can be translated to mean "Magnanimous Progenitor".

Gāoshàngzǔ (高上祖)

The temple name ''Gāoshàngzǔ'' (高上祖) can be translated to mean "Venerable Progenitor".

Guāngzǔ (光祖)

The temple name ''Guāngzǔ'' (光祖) can be translated to mean "Radiant Progenitor".

Guózǔ (國祖)

The temple name ''Guózǔ'' (國祖) can be translated to mean "National Progenitor".

Hóngzǔ (弘祖)

The temple name ''Hóngzǔ'' (弘祖) can be translated to mean "Majestic Progenitor".

Húanzǔ (桓祖)

The temple name ''Húanzǔ'' (桓祖) can be translated to mean "Exploratory Forefather".

Huīzǔ (徽祖)

The temple name ''Huīzǔ'' (徽祖) can be translated to mean "Exemplary Progenitor".

Huìzǔ (惠祖)

The temple name ''Huìzǔ'' (惠祖) can be translated to mean "Compassionate Progenitor".

Jǐngzǔ (景祖)

The temple name ''Jǐngzǔ'' (景祖) can be translated to mean "Admirable Progenitor".

Jìngzǔ (敬祖)

The temple name ''Jìngzǔ'' (敬祖) can be translated to mean "Revered Progenitor".

Jìngzǔ (靖祖)

The temple name ''Jìngzǔ'' (靖祖) can be translated to mean "Conciliatory Progenitor".

Lièzǔ (烈祖)

The temple name ''Lièzǔ'' (烈祖) can be translated to mean "Ardent Progenitor".

Mùzǔ (穆祖)

The temple name ''Mùzǔ'' (穆祖) can be translated to mean "Sombre Progenitor".

Níngzǔ (寧祖)

The temple name ''Níngzǔ'' (寧祖) can be translated to mean "Amicable Progenitor".

Qìngzǔ (慶祖)

The temple name ''Qìngzǔ'' (慶祖) can be translated to mean "Celebrated Progenitor".

Rénzǔ (仁祖)

The temple name ''Rénzǔ'' (仁祖) can be translated to mean "Benevolent Progenitor".

Ruìzǔ (睿祖)

The temple name ''Ruìzǔ'' (睿祖) can be translated to mean "Astute Progenitor".

Shèngzǔ (聖祖)

The temple name ''Shèngzǔ'' (聖祖) can be translated to mean "Sagacious Progenitor".

Shénzǔ (神祖)

The temple name ''Shénzǔ'' (神祖) can be translated to mean "Spiritual Progenitor".

Shǐzǔ (始祖)

The temple name ''Shǐzǔ'' (始祖) can be translated to mean "First Progenitor".

Shìzǔ (世祖)

The temple name ''Shìzǔ'' (世祖) can be translated to mean "Eternal Progenitor".

Shùnzǔ (順祖)

The temple name ''Shùnzǔ'' (順祖) can be translated to mean "Obedient Progenitor".

Sùzǔ (肅祖)

The temple name ''Sùzǔ'' (肅祖) can be translated to mean "Solemn Progenitor".

Tàichūzǔ (太初祖)

The temple name ''Tàichūzǔ'' (太初祖) can be translated to mean "Grand Primordial Progenitor".

Tǒngzǔ (統祖)

The temple name ''Tǒngzǔ'' (統祖) can be translated to mean "Commanding Progenitor".

Wángzǔ (王祖)

The temple name ''Wángzǔ'' (王祖) can be translated to mean "Sovereign Progenitor".

Wénzǔ (文祖)

The temple name ''Wénzǔ'' (文祖) can be translated to mean "Civil Progenitor".

Xiǎnzǔ (顯祖)

The temple name ''Xiǎnzǔ'' (顯祖) can be translated to mean "Eminent Progenitor".

Xiànzǔ (憲祖)

The temple name ''Xiànzǔ'' (憲祖) can be translated to mean "Constitutional Progenitor".

Xiànzǔ (獻祖)

The temple name ''Xiànzǔ'' (獻祖) can be translated to mean "Dedicated Progenitor".

Xīngzǔ (興祖)

The temple name ''Xīngzǔ'' (興祖) can be translated to mean "Prosperous Progenitor".

Xìnzǔ (信祖)

The temple name ''Xìnzǔ'' (信祖) can be translated to mean "Faithful Progenitor".

Xīzǔ (熙祖)

The temple name ''Xīzǔ'' (熙祖) can be translated to mean "Glorious Progenitor".

Xīzǔ (僖祖)

The temple name ''Xīzǔ'' (僖祖) can be translated to mean "Jubilant Progenitor".

Xuānzǔ (宣祖)

The temple name ''Xuānzǔ'' (宣祖) can be translated to mean "Responsible Progenitor".

Xuánzǔ (玄祖)

The temple name ''Xuánzǔ'' (玄祖) can be translated to mean "Profound Progenitor".

Yánzǔ (嚴祖)

The temple name ''Yánzǔ'' (嚴祖) can be translated to mean "Austere Progenitor".

Yǎnzǔ (衍祖)

The temple name ''Yǎnzǔ'' (衍祖) can be translated to mean "Thriving Progenitor".

Yīngzǔ (英祖)

The temple name ''Yīngzǔ'' (英祖) can be translated to mean "Magnificent Progenitor".

Yìzǔ (毅祖)

The temple name ''Yìzǔ'' (毅祖) can be translated to mean "Persistent Progenitor".

Yìzǔ (懿祖)

The temple name ''Yìzǔ'' (懿祖) can be translated to mean "Benign Progenitor".

Yìzǔ (翼祖)

The temple name ''Yìzǔ'' (翼祖) can be translated to mean "Soaring Progenitor".

Yìzǔ (義祖)

The temple name ''Yìzǔ'' (義祖) can be translated to mean "Righteous Progenitor".

Yuānzǔ (淵祖)

The temple name ''Yuānzǔ'' (淵祖) can be translated to mean "Erudite Progenitor".

Yuánzǔ (元祖)

The temple name ''Yuánzǔ'' (元祖) can be translated to mean "Primal Progenitor".

Yùzǔ (裕祖)

The temple name ''Yùzǔ'' (裕祖) can be translated to mean "Affluent Progenitor".

Zhāozǔ (昭祖)

The temple name ''Zhāozǔ'' (昭祖) can be translated to mean "Illustrious Progenitor".

Zhàozǔ (肇祖)

The temple name ''Zhàozǔ'' (肇祖) can be translated to mean "Original Progenitor".

Zhèngzǔ (正祖)

The temple name ''Zhèngzǔ'' (正祖) can be translated to mean "Upstanding Progenitor".

Zhuāngzǔ (莊祖)

The temple name ''Zhuāngzǔ'' (莊祖) can be translated to mean "Dignified Progenitor".

List of temple names with the suffix ''zōng''

Individuals who are known by more than one temple name have their personal name in English ''italicized''.

Aīzōng (哀宗)

The temple name ''Aīzōng'' (哀宗) can be translated to mean "Lamentable Ancestor".

Ānzōng (安宗)

The temple name ''Ānzōng'' (安宗) can be translated to mean "Pacific Ancestor".

Chéngzōng (成宗)

The temple name ''Chéngzōng'' (成宗) can be translated to mean "Accomplished Ancestor".

Chóngzōng (崇宗)

The temple name ''Chóngzōng'' (崇宗) can be translated to mean "Lofty Ancestor".

Chúnzōng (純宗)

The temple name ''Chúnzōng'' (純宗) can be translated to mean "Refined Ancestor".

Dàizōng (代宗)

The temple name ''Dàizōng'' (代宗) can be translated to mean "Generational Ancestor".

Dàizōng (戴宗)

The temple name ''Dàizōng'' (戴宗) can be translated to mean "Esteemed Ancestor".

Dàozōng (道宗)

The temple name ''Dàozōng'' (道宗) can be translated to mean "Principled Ancestor".

Dézōng (德宗)

The temple name ''Dézōng'' (德宗) can be translated to mean "Virtuous Ancestor".

Dìngzōng (定宗)

The temple name ''Dìngzōng'' (定宗) can be translated to mean "Resolute Ancestor".

Duānzōng (端宗)

The temple name ''Duānzōng'' (端宗) can be translated to mean "Noble Ancestor".

Dùzōng (度宗)

The temple name ''Dùzōng'' (度宗) can be translated to mean "Magnanimous Ancestor".

Gāozōng (高宗)

The temple name ''Gāozōng'' (高宗) can be translated to mean "High Ancestor".

Gōngzōng (恭宗)

The temple name ''Gōngzōng'' (恭宗) can be translated to mean "Reverent Ancestor".

Guāngzōng (光宗)

The temple name ''Guāngzōng'' (光宗) can be translated to mean "Radiant Ancestor".

Hóngzōng (弘宗)

The temple name ''Hóngzōng'' (弘宗) can be translated to mean "Majestic Ancestor".

Huáizōng (懷宗)

The temple name ''Huáizōng'' (懷宗) can be translated to mean "Yearned Ancestor".

Huánzōng (桓宗)

The temple name ''Huánzōng'' (桓宗) can be translated to mean "Exploratory Ancestor".

Huīzōng (徽宗)

The temple name ''Huīzōng'' (徽宗) can be translated to mean "Exemplary Ancestor".

Huìzōng (惠宗)

The temple name ''Huìzōng'' (惠宗) can be translated to mean "Compassionate Ancestor".

Jiǎnzōng (簡宗)

The temple name ''Jiǎnzōng'' (簡宗) can be translated to mean "Modest Ancestor".

Jiāzōng (嘉宗)

The temple name ''Jiāzōng'' (嘉宗) can be translated to mean "Exalted Ancestor".

Jǐngzōng (景宗)

The temple name ''Jǐngzōng'' (景宗) can be translated to mean "Admirable Ancestor".

Jìngzōng (敬宗)

The temple name ''Jìngzōng'' (敬宗) can be translated to mean "Revered Ancestor".

Jìngzōng (靖宗)

The temple name ''Jìngzōng'' (靖宗) can be translated to mean "Conciliatory Ancestor".

Kāngzōng (康宗)

The temple name ''Kāngzōng'' (康宗) can be translated to mean "Harmonious Ancestor".

Lièzōng (烈宗)

The temple name ''Lièzōng'' (烈宗) can be translated to mean "Ardent Ancestor".

Lǐzōng (理宗)

The temple name ''Lǐzōng'' (理宗) can be translated to mean "Enlightened Ancestor".

Lǐzōng (禮宗)

The temple name ''Lǐzōng'' (禮宗) can be translated to mean "August Ancestor".

Míngzōng (明宗)

The temple name ''Míngzōng'' (明宗) can be translated to mean "Brilliant Ancestor".

Mǐnzōng (閔宗)

The temple name ''Mǐnzōng'' (閔宗) can be translated to mean "Solicitous Ancestor".

Mǐnzōng (愍宗)

The temple name ''Mǐnzōng'' (愍宗) can be translated to mean "Dejected Ancestor".

Mùzōng (穆宗)

The temple name ''Mùzōng'' (穆宗) can be translated to mean "Sombre Ancestor".

Níngzōng (寧宗)

The temple name ''Níngzōng'' (寧宗) can be translated to mean "Amicable Ancestor".

Píngzōng (平宗)

The temple name ''Píngzōng'' (平宗) can be translated to mean "Placid Ancestor".

Qìngzōng (慶宗)

The temple name ''Qìngzōng'' (慶宗) can be translated to mean "Celebrated Ancestor".

Qīnzōng (欽宗)

The temple name ''Qīnzōng'' (欽宗) can be translated to mean "Laudable Ancestor".

Rénzōng (仁宗)

The temple name ''Rénzōng'' (仁宗) can be translated to mean "Benevolent Ancestor".

Ruìzōng (睿宗)

The temple name ''Ruìzōng'' (睿宗) can be translated to mean "Astute Ancestor".

Shàozōng (紹宗)

The temple name ''Shàozōng'' (紹宗) can be translated to mean "Perpetual Ancestor".

Shèngzōng (聖宗)

The temple name ''Shèngzōng'' (聖宗) can be translated to mean "Sagacious Ancestor".

Shénzōng (神宗)

The temple name ''Shénzōng'' (神宗) can be translated to mean "Spiritual Ancestor".

Shìzōng (世宗)

The temple name ''Shìzōng'' (世宗) can be translated to mean "Eternal Ancestor".

Shùnzōng (順宗)

The temple name ''Shùnzōng'' (順宗) can be translated to mean "Obedient Ancestor".

Sīzōng (思宗)

The temple name ''Sīzōng'' (思宗) can be translated to mean "Pensive Ancestor".

Sùzōng (肅宗)

The temple name ''Sùzōng'' (肅宗) can be translated to mean "Solemn Ancestor".

Tàizōng (太宗)

The temple name ''Tàizōng'' (太宗) can be translated to mean "Grand Ancestor".

Tǒngzōng (統宗)

The temple name ''Tǒngzōng'' (統宗) can be translated to mean "Commanding Ancestor".

Wénzōng (文宗)

The temple name ''Wénzōng'' (文宗) can be translated to mean "Civil Ancestor".

Wēizōng (威宗)

The temple name ''Wēizōng'' (威宗) can be translated to mean "Mighty Ancestor".

Wǔzōng (武宗)

The temple name ''Wǔzōng'' (武宗) can be translated to mean "Martial Ancestor".

Xiāngzōng (襄宗)

The temple name ''Xiāngzōng'' (襄宗) can be translated to mean "Assisted Ancestor".

Xiǎnzōng (顯宗)

The temple name ''Xiǎnzōng'' (顯宗) can be translated to mean "Eminent Ancestor".

Xiànzōng (憲宗)

The temple name ''Xiànzōng'' (憲宗) can be translated to mean "Constitutional Ancestor".

Xiànzōng (獻宗)

The temple name ''Xiànzōng'' (獻宗) can be translated to mean "Dedicated Ancestor".

Xiàozōng (孝宗)

The temple name ''Xiàozōng'' (孝宗) can be translated to mean "Filial Ancestor".

Xīngzōng (興宗)

The temple name ''Xīngzōng'' (興宗) can be translated to mean "Prosperous Ancestor".

Xīzōng (熙宗)

The temple name ''Xīzōng'' (熙宗) can be translated to mean "Glorious Ancestor".

Xīzōng (僖宗)

The temple name ''Xīzōng'' (僖宗) can be translated to mean "Jubilant Ancestor".

Xīzōng (熹宗)

The temple name ''Xīzōng'' (熹宗) can be translated to mean "Coruscating Ancestor".

Xuānzōng (宣宗)

The temple name ''Xuānzōng'' (宣宗) can be translated to mean "Responsible Ancestor".

Xuánzōng (玄宗)

The temple name ''Xuánzōng'' (玄宗) can be translated to mean "Profound Ancestor".

Yīngzōng (英宗)

The temple name ''Yīngzōng'' (英宗) can be translated to mean "Magnificent Ancestor".

Yìzōng (毅宗)

The temple name ''Yìzōng'' (毅宗) can be translated to mean "Persistent Ancestor".

Yìzōng (懿宗)

The temple name ''Yìzōng'' (懿宗) can be translated to mean "Benign Ancestor".

Yìzōng (翼宗)

The temple name ''Yìzōng'' (翼宗) can be translated to mean "Soaring Ancestor".

Yìzōng (義宗)

The temple name ''Yìzōng'' (義宗) can be translated to mean "Righteous Ancestor".

Yìzōng (藝宗)

The temple name ''Yìzōng'' (藝宗) can be translated to mean "Competent Ancestor".

Yìzōng (益宗)

The temple name ''Yìzōng'' (益宗) can be translated to mean "Flourishing Ancestor".

Yòuzōng (佑宗)

The temple name ''Yòuzōng'' (佑宗) can be translated to mean "Blessed Ancestor".

Yuánzōng (元宗)

The temple name ''Yuánzōng'' (元宗) can be translated to mean "Primal Ancestor".

Yùzōng (裕宗)

The temple name ''Yùzōng'' (裕宗) can be translated to mean "Affluent Ancestor".

Zhāngzōng (章宗)

The temple name ''Zhāngzōng'' (章宗) can be translated to mean "Decorous Ancestor".

Zhāozōng (昭宗)

The temple name ''Zhāozōng'' (昭宗) can be translated to mean "Illustrious Ancestor".

Zhèngzōng (正宗)

The temple name ''Zhèngzōng'' (正宗) can be translated to mean "Upstanding Ancestor".

Zhēnzōng (真宗)

The temple name ''Zhēnzōng'' (真宗) can be translated to mean "Sterling Ancestor".

Zhēnzōng (貞宗)

The temple name ''Zhēnzōng'' (貞宗) can be translated to mean "Steadfast Ancestor".

Zhézōng (哲宗)

The temple name ''Zhézōng'' (哲宗) can be translated to mean "Sapient Ancestor".

Zhìzōng (質宗)

The temple name ''Zhìzōng'' (質宗) can be translated to mean "Spartan Ancestor".

Zhōngzōng (中宗)

The temple name ''Zhōngzōng'' (中宗) can be translated to mean "Resurgent Ancestor".

Zhuāngzōng (莊宗)

The temple name ''Zhuāngzōng'' (莊宗) can be translated to mean "Dignified Ancestor".

List of proposed but rejected temple names

This list contains temple names that were proposed but were ultimately rejected in favor of another temple name. These temple names were not accorded to other monarchs. * Chunzong (淳宗): proposed for

Zhao Yun Zhao Yun ( ) (died 229), courtesy name Zilong (), was a military general who lived during the late Eastern Han dynasty and early Three Kingdoms period of China. Originally a subordinate of the northern warlord Gongsun Zan, Zhao Yun later came ...

* Dazong (大宗): proposed for

Zhao Gou Emperor Gaozong of Song (12 June 1107 – 9 November 1187), personal name Zhao Gou, courtesy name Deji, was the tenth emperor of the Song dynasty and the first of the Southern Song period, ruling between 1127 and 1162 and retaining power as ret ...

* Qianzong (乾宗): proposed for

Zhu Youjian The Chongzhen Emperor (; 6 February 1611 – 25 April 1644), personal name Zhu Youjian (), courtesy name Deyue (),Wang Yuan (王源)，''Ju ye tang wen ji'' (《居業堂文集》), vol. 19. "聞之張景蔚親見烈皇帝神主題御諱字德� ...

* Shizong (實宗): proposed for Zhao Qi * Yaozong (堯宗): proposed for Zhao Gou

List of temple names with limited recognition

This list contains individuals whose temple names were derived from unverified or uncertain sources and are not widely recognized by the academia. Nonetheless, referencing these individuals by their unofficial temple names is sometimes seen in non-academic sources.

References

{{Personal names Chinese monarchs Chinese culture Korean rulers Korean culture Vietnamese monarchs Vietnamese culture Posthumous recognitions Titles