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 institutionsHistory
Temple names trace their origins to theStructure
Most temple names consist of twoList 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 * Dazong (大宗): proposed for Zhao Gou * Qianzong (乾宗): proposed forList 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.See also
* List of Chinese monarchs * List of monarchs of Korea * List of monarchs of Vietnam * Regnal name * Chinese era name *References
{{Personal names Chinese monarchs Chinese culture Korean rulers Korean culture Vietnamese monarchs Vietnamese culture Posthumous recognitions Titles