Yan Huang Zisun

A temple dedicated to the worship of Yandi in Baoji, Shaanxi
Xuanyuan Temple, dedicated to the worship of Huangdi, in Yan'an, Shaanxi

Yan-Huang zisun (Chinese: 炎黃子孫; pinyin: Yán-Huáng zǐsūn; literally: "Descendants of Yan and Huang") is a term that represents the Chinese people, most notably the Han. Today, the Chinese people still refer to themselves with this term.[1]

The Yan Emperor (Chinese: 炎帝; pinyin: Yándì) and Yellow Emperor (Chinese: 黃帝; pinyin: Huángdì) are both legendary ancestors of the Huaxia.[2] Legend has it they were both part of a tribe known thereafter as the Yán-Huáng.[3] They were enemies who fought each other in the Battle of Banquan.[3] The Yellow Emperor defeated the Yan Emperor and the two peoples amalgamated as the Huaxia people, who in turn developed into the Han Chinese, the dominant ethnic group in China. The Yellow Emperor is revered as the founder of the Chinese civilization.[4]

Modern usage

The National Flag Anthem of the Republic of China mentions the Han people as Yánhuáng shì zhòu (Chinese: 炎黃世冑), officially translated in English as "Descendants of Yan and Huang". Ma Ying-jeou, President of Taiwan, has used this term to refer to all Chinese people.[5]

See also

References

  1. Law, Eugene (2004). Intercontinental's best of China. Beijing: China Intercontinental Press. p. 10. ISBN 978-7-5085-0429-2.
  2. 戴逸, 龔書鐸. [2002] (2003) 中國通史. 史前 夏 商 西周. Intelligence press. ISBN 962-8792-80-6. p 33.
  3. 1 2 戴逸, 龔書鐸. [2002] (2003) 中國通史. 史前 夏 商 西周. Intelligence press. ISBN 962-8792-80-6. p 32.
  4. Veith, Ilza. [2002] (2002). The Yellow Emperor's Classic of Internal Medicine. University of California Press. ISBN 0-520-22936-3, ISBN 978-0-520-22936-5. pg 5-6.
  5. Ko, Shu-ling (Oct 29, 2010). "‘1992 consensus’ is basis of ties: Ma". Taipei Times. p. 3. Retrieved 25 October 2011.
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