Yan Huang Zisun
Yan Huang Zisun (Chinese: 炎黃子孫; lit. 'Descendants of Yan[di] and Huang[di]') is a term that represents the Chinese people and denotes an ethnocultural identity rooted in a shared ancestry linked to mythological origins.[1][2]
This term refers to Yandi (炎帝) and Huangdi (黃帝), two legendary figures regarded as the ancestral founders of the Huaxia people, who are themselves considered the progenitors of the Han people.[3] More specifically, the expression primarily applies to the Han ethnic group, as it does not include groups that do not trace their lineage to these legendary ancestors.[4]
Modern usage
[edit]To this day, the Chinese still refer to themselves with this term.[5]
Ma Ying-jeou, who served as President of the Republic of China (Taiwan), used this term to refer to all Chinese people in the context of his view on cross-strait relations.[6] The derivation of the term is mentioned as Yan Huang Shizhou (炎黃世胄) in the National Flag Anthem of the Republic of China.
See also
[edit]- Emperors Yan and Huang (monument)
- Huaxia, confederation of pre-Qin peoples.
- Yanhuang, an ancestral group around the Yellow River.
References
[edit]- ^ Yeo, K.K. (2008). Musing with Confucius and Paul: Toward a Chinese Christian theology. Cascade Books. p. 407. ISBN 9781556354885.
Zhonghua (Chinese) or huaren (Chinese people) can be inclusive terms that refer to a common ancestry, traceable according to legend to the Yellow Emperor. Sometimes the Chinese are called the Yan-Huang zisun—descendants of the legendary Emperor Yan (a.k.a. Shen Nong, god of husbandry and first pharmacist) and Emperor Huang (whose burial place is in Huangling). [...] The legend of Emperors Yan-Huang can provide only an "imagined" identity for those who wish their genealogy to be traced to the royal gene of the emperors.
- ^ Yuan, Haiwang (2006). The magic lotus lantern and other tales from the Han Chinese. Libraries Unlimited. p. 10. ISBN 9781591582946.
The Chinese believe that they all came from the common ancestors Sanhuang Wudi [...] referring to themselves as Yanhuang zisun (descendants of Yandi and Huangdi).)
- ^ Wienen, Ingmar (2002). Developing international business in the context of culture and ethics in transformation: The example of China. Peter Lang. pp. 19–20. ISBN 9780820459851.
- ^ Liang, Yongjia (2013). "Developmentalism, secularism, nationalism and essentialism: current situation and challenges of the ethnic issue in China". In Zhao, Litao (ed.). China's social development and policy: Into the next stage?. London: Routledge. p. 195. ISBN 9780415642835.
One problem with current Chinese nationalism is the discursive confusion with the terms Zhonghua Minzu (Chinese Nation), Yanhuang Zisun [...] However, a closer examination indicates that only the first justifies such a definition, while the other three can only be designated as the Han as most of the ethnic minorities do not share the legendary ancestors of the Yellow Emperor or the dragon.
- ^ Law, Eugene (2004). Intercontinental's best of China. Beijing: China Intercontinental Press. p. 10. ISBN 978-7-5085-0429-2.
- ^ Ko, Shu-ling (Oct 29, 2010). "'1992 consensus' is basis of ties: Ma". Taipei Times. p. 3. Retrieved 25 October 2011.