Chinese emperors family tree (middle)

The following is a family tree of Chinese emperors from 581 to 1279, the second of three periods of 700 years, from the unification of China under the Sui Dynasty to the conquest of China by the Mongols under Kublai Khan.

Chinese emperors family tree (ancient) → Chinese emperors family tree (early) → Chinese emperors family tree (middle) → Chinese emperors family tree (late)

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.

Dugu Xin 獨孤信

SUI DYNASTY

Yang Jian 楊坚 541-604 Wendi 文帝 581-604

Dugu Qieluo 獨孤伽羅 544-602 Empresss Xian 獻皇后

Duchess Dugu

Li Bing 李昺 d.572 Duke of Tang 唐國公

1

2

3

TANG DYNASTY

Yang Yong 楊勇 d.604 Prince of Fangling 房陵王

Yang Guang 楊廣 569-618 Yangdi 煬帝 604-617

Yang Jun 楊俊 571-600 Prince Xiao of Qin 秦孝王

Li Yuan 李淵 566-635 Gaozu 高祖 618-626

1

2

3

Yang Zhao 楊昭 584-606 Cr.Prince Yuande 元德太子

Yang Jian 楊暕 585-618 Prince of Qi 齊王

Yang Gao 楊杲 607-618 Prince of Zhao 趙王

Yang Hao 楊浩 d.618 Prince of Qin 秦王 618?

1

2

3

Yang Tan 楊倓 603-618 Prince of Yan 燕王

Yang Tong 楊侗 605-619 Gongdi 恭帝 618-619

Yang You 楊侑 605-619 Gongdi 恭帝 617-618

Tang and Second 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 second Zhou (周) Dynasty; 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). It should be noted that the names of Xuanzong I (玄宗) and Xuanzong II (宣宗) are different in the original Chinese, but are rendered the same in Pinyin English transliteration (once the accents have been removed).

																Li Bing 李昺 d.572 Duke of Tang 唐國公
																Li Yuan 李淵 566-635 Gaozu 高祖 618-626
								1								2								4
								Li Jiancheng 李建成 589-626 Cr.Prince Yin 隱太子								Li Shimin 李世民 599-649 Taizong 太宗 626-649								Li Yuanji 李元吉 603-626 Prince of Qi 齊王
				3								8
				Li Ke 李恪 d.653 Prince of Yulin 鬱林王								Li Zhen 李貞 d.688 Prince Jing of Yue 越敬王
1								4								9																ZHOU DYNASTY
Li Chengqian 李承乾 619-645 Prince Min of Hengshan 恆山愍王								Li Tai 李泰 618-652 Prince Gong of Pu 濮恭王								Li Zhi 李治 628-683 Gaozong 高宗 649-683																Wu Zhao 武曌 624-705 Wu Zetian 武則天 690-705
								1								4								5 (1)								7 (3)								8 (4)
								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 李顯 656-710 Zhongzong 中宗 684, 705-710								Li Dan 李旦 662-716 Ruizong 睿宗 684-690, 710-712
																																4
																																Li Chongmao 李重茂 695/698-714 Shangdi 殤帝 710
																																1								3
																																Li Chengqi 李成器 679-742 Rangdi 讓帝								Li Longji 李隆基 685-762 Xuanzong I 玄宗 712-756
																1								2								3								16
																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 756-762								Li Lin 李璘 d.757 Prince of Yong 永王
																																1								3
																																Li Yu 李豫 727-779 Daizong 代宗 762-779								Li Tan 李倓 d.757 Chengtian 承天
																																1
																																Li Gua 李适 742-805 Dezong 德宗 779-805
																																1
																																Li Song 李誦 761-806 Shunzong 順宗 805
																																1
																																Li Chun 李純 778-820 Xianzong 憲宗 805-820
								1								3																13
								Li Ning 李寧 793–812 Cr.Prince Huizhao 惠昭太子								Li Heng 李恆 795-824 Muzong 穆宗 820-824																Li Chen 李忱 810-859 Xuanzong II 宣宗 846-859
								1								2								5								1
								Li Zhan 李湛 809-827 Jingzong 敬宗 824-827								Li Ang 李昂 809-840 Wenzong 文宗 827-840								Li Yang 李炎 814-846 Wuzong 武宗 840-846								Li Cui 李漼 833-873 Yizong 懿宗 859-873
																								5								7
																								Li Xuan 李儇 862-888 Xizong 僖宗 873-888								Li Yue 李曄 867-904 Zhaozong 昭宗 888-904
																																9
																																Li Zhu 李柷 892-908 Aidi 哀帝 or Zhaoxuan 昭宣 904-907

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 Dynasty

The Later Liang Dynasty ruled between 907 and 923.

				Zhu Wen 朱溫 852-912 Taizu 太祖 907-912
3								8
Zhu Yougui 朱友圭 d.913 912-913								Zhu Zhen 朱瑱 888-923 Modi 末帝 913-923

Later Tang Dynasty and Later Jin Dynasty

The Later Tang Dynasty ruled between 923 and 937. The Later Jin Dynasty ruled between 936 and 947.

LATER TANG

adopted

Li Keyong 李克用 856–908

Li Cunxu 李存勖 885-926 Zhuangzong 莊宗 923-926

Li Siyuan 李嗣源 867-933 Mingzong 明宗 926-933

LATER JIN

Li Congke 李從珂 885-937 Modi 末帝 934-937

Li Conghou 李從厚 914-934 Mindi 愍帝 933-934

Empress Li d.950

Shi Jingtang 石敬瑭 892-942 Gaozu 高祖 936-942

Shi Jingru 石敬儒

Shi Chonggui 石重貴 914-974 Chudi 出帝 942-947

Later Han Dynasty and Northern Han

The Later Han Dynasty ruled between 947 and 951. Liu Min, brother of Emperor Gaozu the founder of the Later Han Dynasty, 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 HAN

adopted

Liu Tian 劉琠 Xianzu 显祖

LATER HAN

NORTHERN HAN

Liu Zhiyuan 劉知遠 895-948 Gaozu 高祖 947-948

Liu Min 劉旻 895-954 Shizu 世祖 951-954

Liu Chengyou 劉承祐 929-951 Yindi 隱帝 948-951

Liu Jun 劉钧 926-968 Ruizong 睿宗 954-968

Xue Zhao 薛钊

Lady Liu 劉氏

Mr. He 何某

Liu Jien 劉继恩 d.968 Shaozhu 少主 968

Liu Jiyuan 劉继元 d.992 Yingwudi 英武帝 968-979

Later Zhou Dynasty

The Later Zhou Dynasty ruled between 951 and 960.

Mr. Chai 柴翁

Chai Shouli 柴守礼 896-967

Empress Shengmu 圣穆皇后

Guo Wei 郭威 904-954 Taizu 太祖 951-954

Chai Rong 柴榮 921-959 Shizong 世宗 954-959

Chai Zongxun 柴宗训 953-973 Gongdi 恭帝 959-960

Later Shu

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

Meng Zhixiang 孟知祥 874-934 Gaozu 高祖 934
Meng Chang 孟昶 919-965 Houzhu 后主 934-965

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.

WU

SOUTHERN TANG

Yang Xingmi 杨行密 874-905 Taizu 太祖 (902-905)

Xu Wen 徐溫 862-927 Yizu 義祖

Yang Wo 杨渥 886-908 Liezu 烈祖 (905- ) 907-908

Yang Longyan 杨隆演 897-920 Gaozu 高祖 908-920

Yang Pu 杨溥 900-938 Ruidi 睿帝 920-937

Li Bian 李昪 888-943 Liezu 烈祖 937-943

Yang Lian 杨琏

Princess Yongxing 永兴公主

Li Jing 李璟 916-961 Yuanzong 元宗 943-961

Li Jingsui 李景遂 Crown Prince Wencheng 文成太弟

Li Yu 李煜 937-978 Houzhu 后主 961-975

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).

												Zhao Hongyin 趙弘殷 899-956 Xuanzu 宣祖
																																adopted
				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 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 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 Gongdi 恭帝 1274-1276								Zhao Bing 趙昺 1271-1279 Bing 昺 1278-1279

Northern Border Empires

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).

Yelü Abaoji 耶律阿保機 872-926 Taizu 太祖 907-926

Yelü Bei 耶律倍 ~900-936 Yingzong 義宗

Yelü Deguang 耶律德光 902-947 Taizong 太宗 926-947

Yelü Ruan 耶律阮 918-951 Shizong 世宗 947-951

Yelü Jing 耶律璟 931-969 Muzong 穆宗 951-969

Yelü Xian 耶律賢 948-982 Jingzong 景宗 969-982

Yelü Longxu 耶律隆緒 971-1031 Shengzong 聖宗 982-1031

Yelü Zongzhen 耶律宗真 1015-1054 Xingzong 興宗 1031-1055

Yelü Hongji 耶律洪基 1032-1101 Daozong 道宗 1055-1101

Yelü Jun 耶律浚 1057-1077 Shunzong 顺宗

Yelü Yangxi 耶律延禧 1075-1128 Tianzuodi 天祚帝 1101-1125

Jin Dynasty

The following is a simplified family tree for the Jin Dynasty. Arising from a family of Jurchen chieftains (whose years of rule are given in brackets), the Dynasty was declared by Wanyan Aguda in 1115; in 1125 his successor Wanyan Wuqimai conquered the Liao Dynasty. The Jin ruled much of northern China until their conquest by the Mongol Empire 1234. They were the ancestors of the Qing Dynasty, which was initially named the later Jin Dynasty 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 Hailingwang, Weishaowang and Modi; these are posthumous names, as temple names were not awarded).

Wanyan Wugunai 完颜乌骨迺 1021-1074 Jingzu 景祖 (~1050-1074)

Wanyan Helibo 完颜劾里钵 1039-1092 Shizu 世祖 (1074-1092)

Wanyan Polashu 完顏頗刺淑 1042-1094 Suzong 肅宗 (1092-1094)

Wanyan Mingge 完顏盈歌 1053-1103 Muzong 穆宗 (1094-1103)

Wanyan Wuyashu 完顏烏雅束 1061-1113 Kangzong 康宗 (1103-1113)

Wanyan Aguda 完颜阿骨打 1068-1123 Taizu 太祖 (1113- ) 1115-1123

Wanyan Wuqimai 完顏吳乞買 1075-1135 Taizong 太宗 1123-1135

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Wanyan Zongjun 完颜宗峻 d.1124 Huizong 徽宗

Wanyan Zonggan 完颜宗干 d.1141 Dezong 德宗

Wanyan Zongfu 完顏宗辅 1096-1135 Ruizong 睿宗

Wanyan Hela 完顏合剌 1119-1149 Xizong 熙宗 1135-1149

Wanyan Liang 完顏亮 1122-1161 Hailingwang 海陵王 1149-1161

Wanyan Yong 完顏雍 1123-1189 Shizong 世宗 1161-1189

Wanyan Yungong 完顏允恭 1146-1185 Xianzong 顯宗

Wanyan Yongji 完顏永濟 1168-1213 Weishaowang 衛紹王 1209-1213

Wanyan Jing 完顏璟 1168-1208 Zhangzong 章宗 1190-1208

Wanyan Xun 完顏珣 1163-1223 Xuanzong 宣宗 1213-1223

Wanyan Shouxu 完顏守緒 1198-1234 Aizong 哀宗 1224-1234

Wanyan Chenglin 完顏承麟 d.1234 Modi 末帝 1234