This list of Chinese Dynasties is intended to support you in your study of Dao – Tao, Daoism – Taoism, Chinese Philosophy, Tai Chi – Taiji, Qigong – Chi Kung, Gongfu – Kung Fu.
Of the many reasons to explore the dynasties, an important one, for study of Chinese Philosophy and the Qi Cultivation Arts, is the concept of change. There are many who hold the view that the Chinese Culture was, traditionally, unchanging over many dynasties.
However, it was the Chinese who developed the phrase — “The only constant is change.” And, probably the first example of what we would call a Chinese book, was the I Ching – Yi Jing – which typically translates to The Book of Changes. True, there are certain underlying principles – Qi and Yin-Yang — which sustain. Mostly though, much changed with the changing of the dynasties. As an example – in democracy, there is a change when a different party’s candidate for president is elected. Usually this is fairly peaceful. The change from a dynasty to the next was almost never peaceful, in fact usually such changes were implemented through immense violence.
The point is — humans are inclined to change, modify and even transform – self, custom, process, practice and tradition. Dynasties change, but so do knowledge and practice systems. The Dynasty is hoped to last forever, but then comes another. Lineages are supposed to progress unchanged, but inspired students do not do well at repeating dogmatic guidelines.
This is very interesting and worthy of consideration.
Consider applying this when you study Chinese Philosophy or martial arts. When you study Dao, The Dao or Daoism — you will witness an amazing diversity of ideals and practices as times passes, as dynasties progress and as new insights arise — even revelation. In the Martial Arts it is very typical for the “Master” to describe the correct approach and want you to stick to it. And, yet — look at Tai Chi – Taiji — The Chen Family was not satisfied with Wudang Tai Chi, the Yang Family was not satisfied with Chen Tai Chi and so on giving us endless views on the “right way” to do Tai Chi.
Hoping that these thoughts — insights — support you in your own transformation — and especially to assist in liberating you from the dogma of a certain “Way” into the liberation of your own “Way”.
DYNASTIES
Xia (Hsia): 2100-1600 BCE
Shang (Shang): 1600-1100 BCE
Western Zhou (Chou): 1100-771 BCE
Spring and Autumn Period: 770-476 BCE
Warring States Period: 770-476 BCE
Qin (Chin): 221-206 BCE
Western Han (Han): 206 BCE- 24 CE
Eastern Han (Han): 25-220
Three Kingdoms: 220-265
Wei (Wei): 220-265
Shu (Shu): 221-263
Wu (Wu): 222-280
Western Jin (Tsin): 265-316
Eastern Jin (Tsin): 317-420
Southern and Northern Dynasties
Southern Dynasties: 420-589
Song (Sung): 420-479
Qi (Chi): 479-502
Liang (Liang): 502-557
Chen (Chen): 557-589
Northern Dynasties: 386-581
Northern Wei (Wei): 386-534
Eastern Wei: 534-550
Western Wei: 535-556
Northern Qi (Chi): 550-577
Northern Zhou (Chou): 557-581
Sui (Sui): 581-618
Tang (Tang): 618-907
Five Dynasties: 907-960
Liao (Liao): 916-1125
Song (Sung): 960-1279
Northern Song: 960-1127
Southern Song: 1127-1279
Western Xia (Hsia): 1038-1227
Jin (Kin): 1115-1234
Yuan (Yuan): 1271-1368
Ming (Ming): 1368-1644
Hong wu (Hung Wu): 1368-1399
Jian wen (Chien Wen): 1399-1403
Yong le (Yung Lo): 1403-1425
Hong xi (Hung Hsi): 1425-1427
Xuan de (Hsuan Teh): 1426-1436
Zheng tong (Cheng Tung): 1436-1450
Jing tai (Ching Tai): 1450-1457
Tian shun (Tien Shun): 1457-1465
Cheng hua (Cheng Hua): 1465-1488
Hong zhi (Hung Chih): 1488-1506
Zheng de (Cheng Teh): 1506-1522
Jia jing (Chia Ching): 1522-1567
Long qing (Lung Ching): 1567-1573
Wan li (Wan Li): 1573-1620
Tai chang (Tai Chang): 1620-1621
Tian qi (Tein Chi): 1621-1628
Chong zhen (Chung Cheng): 1628-1644
Qing (Ching): 1644-1911
Shun zhi (Shun Chih): 1644-1662
Kang xi (Kang Hsi): 1662-1723
Yong zheng (Yung Cheng): 1723-1736
Qian long (Chien Lung): 1736-1796
Jia qing (Chia Ching): 1796-1821
Dao guang (Tao Kuang): 1821-1851
Xian feng (Hsien Feng): 1851-1862
Tong zhi (Tung Chih): 1862-1875
Guang xu (Kuang Hsu): 1875-1908
Xuan tong (Hsuan Tong): 1908-1911
Republic of China (ROC): 1912-present
People’s Republic of China (PRC): 1949-present
That is a lot of Change!!
AND, notice how things have changed since ending the dynasties in 1911.
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