Chinese sovereign

How to refer to a specific sovereign in a dynasty or kingdom

All sovereigns are denoted by a string of Chinese characters. I'll use

1) 'Han' Gao Zu Liu Bang ('漢' 高祖劉邦)
2) 'Tang' Tai Zong Li Shi Min ('唐' 太宗 李世民)
3) 'Wei' Wu Di Cao Cao ('魏' 武帝曹操)
4) 'Hou Han' Gao Zu Liu Zhi Yuan ('後漢' 高祖 劉知遠)
5) 'Han' Guang Wu Di Liu Xiu ('漢' 光武帝 劉秀)

as examples.

The first character(s) are the name of the dynasty or kingdom. e.g. 'Han', 'Tang', 'Wei' and 'Hou Han'.

Then come the characters of how the sovereign is commonly called, in most of the times the posthumous names or the temple names. e.g. Gao Zu, Tai Zong, Wu Di, Guang Wu Di

Then follow the characters of their personal names. e.g. Liu Bang, Li Shi Min, Cao Cao, Liu Zhi Yuan and Liu Xiu

In contemporary historical texts, the string including the name of dynasty and temple or posthumous names is sufficient enough as a clear reference to a particluar sovereign.

e.g. 'Han' Gao Zu

Note that 'Wei' Wu Di Cao Cao never was a sovereign but his son was. Thus he was revered as Wu Di.
Cao Cao is good enough for reference.

some rules of thumb and helpful tips for reading a list of sovereigns

All sovereigns starting from the Tang Dynasty are contemporarily referred using the temple names. They also had posthumous names but less used unless in traditional historical texts. Reversed situation before Tang as posthumous names are contemporarily used.

e.g. The posthumous name of 'Tang' Tai Zong Li Shi Min was Wen Di (文帝)

If sovereigns after Tang were referenced using posthumous names, they were the last ones of their sovereignties or their reigns were short and unpopular.

e.g. 'Tang' Ai Di Li Zhu (唐哀帝 李柷), also known as 'Tang' Zhao Xuan Di (唐昭宣帝), was last emperor of the Tang Dynasty reigning from 904 to 907.

'Han' Guang Wu Di is equivalent to 'Dong Han' Guang Wu Di since he was the founder of the Eastern Han Dynasty. All east-west, north-south, former-later conventions were invented only by past or present historiographers for denoting a new era in a dynasty. Never used during that era.

The most common convention of naming Chinese Sovereigns

If you were even more confused after reading above, here is a quick guide (so not a thorough explanation).

1) Emperors before the Tang dynasty: use name of dynasty + posthumous names. eg. Han Wu Di
2) Emperors between Tang dynasty and Ming dynasty: use name of dynasty + temple names eg. Tang tai zong
3) Emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasty: use era names (same as reign names) eg. kangxi
4) Overides rules 1 to 3: If there is a more common convention than using posthumous, temple or era names, then use it. eg. Cao Cao instead of Wei wu di. Or Sima Yi instead of Jin xuan di.

Actually these rules are followed by almost all historians now (except those really nerdy ones) but it may not be so apparent to those not familiar with Chinese. Please refer to the guide above or write any comment on talk. My pleasure to answer them.

Tables

Only the most recognized posthumous or temple names were used for all tables of sovereigns and referencing. For example, many kings of the Ten Kingdoms in the Period of the Five Dynasties and the Ten Kindoms had tiresome posthumous names consisting of 10 to 20 Chinese charaters. Why bother quoting them while only clear referencing is needed.

**Han Dynasty Sovereigns**
Posthumous Names ( Shi Hao 諡號) and (how the sovereigns are referred)	Personal Names	Period of Reigns	Era Names (Nian Hao 年號) and their according range of years
Western Han Dynasty 206 B.C.-9 AD
Gao Zu (高祖)	劉邦	206 B.C.-195 B.C.	Did not exist
Hui Di (惠帝)	劉盈	194 B.C.-188 B.C.	Did not exist
Gao Hou (Luu Hou 呂后)	呂雉	187 B.C.-180 B.C.	Did not exist
Wen Di (文帝)	劉恆	179 B.C.-157 B.C.	Houyuan (後元) 163 B.C.-156 B.C.
Jing Di (景帝)	劉啟	156 B.C.-141 B.C.	Chngyuan (中元) 149 B.C.-143 B.C. Houyuan (後元) 143 B.C.-141 B.C.
Wu Di (武帝)	劉徹	140 B.C.- 87 B.C.	Jianyuan (建元) 140 B.C.-135 B.C. Yuanguang(元光) 134 B.C.-129 B.C. Yuanshuo (元朔) 128 B.C.-123 B.C. Yuanshou (元狩) 122 B.C.-117 B.C. Yuanding (元鼎) 116 B.C.-111 B.C. Yuanfeng (元封) 110 B.C.-105 B.C. Taichu (太初) 104 B.C.-101 B.C. Tianhan (天漢) 100 B.C.-97 B.C. Taishi (太始) 96 B.C.-93 B.C. Zhenghe (征和) 92 B.C.-89 B.C. Houyuan (後元) 88 B.C.-87 B.C.
Zhao Di (昭帝)	劉弗陵	86 B.C.- 74 B.C.	Shiyuan (始元) 86 B.C.-81 B.C. Yuanfen (元鳳) 80 B.C.-75 B.C. Yuanping(元平) 74 B.C.
Chang Yi Wang (昌邑王)	劉賀	74 B.C.	Yuanping(元平) 74 B.C.
Xuan Di (宣帝)	劉詢	73 B.C.- 49 B.C.	Benshi (本始) 73 B.C.-70 B.C. Dijie (地節) 69 B.C.-66 B.C. Yuankang (元康) 65 B.C.-62 B.C. Shenjue (神爵) 61 B.C.-58 B.C. Wufeng (五鳳) 57 B.C.-54 B.C. Ganlu (甘露) 53 B.C.-50 B.C. Huanglong (黃龍) 49 B.C.
Yuan Di (元帝)	劉奭	48 B.C.- 33 B.C.	Chuyuan (初元) 48 B.C.-44 B.C. Yongguang (永光) 43 B.C.-39 B.C. Jianzhao (建昭) 38 B.C.-34 B.C. Jingning (竟寧) 33 B.C.
Cheng Di (成帝)	劉驁	32 B.C.-7 B.C.	Jianshi (建始) 32 B.C.-29 B.C. Heping (河平) 28 B.C.-25 B.C. Yangshuo(陽朔) 24 B.C.-21 B.C. Hongjia (鴻嘉) 20 B.C.-17 B.C. Yongshi (永始) 16 B.C.-13 B.C. Yuanyan (元延) 12 B.C.-9 B.C. Suihe (綏和) 9 B.C.-7 B.C.
Ai Di (哀帝)	劉欣	6 B.C.-1 B.C.	Jianping (建平) 6 B.C.-3 B.C. Yuanshou (元壽) 2 B.C.-1 B.C.
Ping Di (平帝)	劉衎	1-5	Yuanshi (元始) 1-5
Ru Zi Ying (孺子嬰)	劉嬰	6-8	Jushe (居攝) 6- October 8 Chushi (初始) November 8-December 8
the Xin Dynasty by Wang Mang		9-23	Shijianguo (始建國) 9- 13 Tianfeng (天鳳) 14-19 Dihuang (地皇) 20-23
Geng Shi Di (更始帝)	劉玄	23-25	Gengshi (更始) 23-25
Eastern Han Dynasty 25 AD - 220 AD
Guang Wu Di (光武帝)	劉秀	25-57	Jianwu (建武) 25-56 Jianwuzhongyuan (建武中元) 56-57
Ming Di (明帝)	劉莊	58-75	Yongping (永平) 58-75
Zhang Di (章帝)	劉炟	76-88	Jianchu (建初) 76-83 Yuanhe (元和) 84-87 Zhanghe (章和) 87-88
He Di (和帝)	劉肇	89-105	Yongyuan (永元) 89-105 Yuanxing (元興) 105
Shang Di (殤帝)	劉隆	106	Jianshi (延平) 100 days in 106
An Di (安帝)	劉祜	106-125	Yongchu (永初) 106-113 Yuanchu (元初) 114-120 Yongning(永寧) 120-121 Jianguang (建光) 121-122 Yanguang (延光) 122-125
Shao Di (少帝) or Bei Xiang Hou (北鄉侯)	劉懿	125	Yanguang (延光) 125
Shun Di (順帝)	劉保	125-144	Yongjian (永建) 125-132 Yangjia (陽嘉) 132-135 Yonghe (永和) 136-141 Hanan (漢安) 142-144 Jiankang (建康) 144
Chong Di (沖帝)	劉炳	144-145	Yongxi (永熹) 144-145
Zhi Di (質帝)	劉纘	145-146	Benchu (本初) 145-146
Huan Di (桓帝)	劉志	146-168	Jianhe (建和) 147-149 Heping (和平) 150 Yuanjia (元嘉) 151-153 Yongxing (永興) 153-154 Yongshou (永壽) 155-158 Yanxi (延熹) 158-167 Yongkang (永康) 167-168
Ling Di (靈帝)	劉宏	168-189	Jianning (建寧) 168-172 Xiping (熹平) 172-178 Guanghe (光和) 178-184 Zhongping(中平) 184-189
Shao Di (少帝)	劉辯	189	Guangxi (光熹) 189 Zhaoning (昭寧) 189
Xian Di (獻帝)	劉協	189-220	Yonghan (永漢) 189 Chuping (初平) 189-193 Xingping (興平) 194-195 Jianan (建安) 196-220 Yankang (延康) 220

**Three Kingdoms Sovereigns**
Posthumous Names ( Shi Hao 諡號)	Personal Names	Period of Reigns	Era Names (Nian Hao 年號) and their according range of years
Wei 220-265 AD
Wen Di (文帝 wen2 di4)	Cao Pi\|曹丕 cao2 pi1	220-226	Huangchu (黃初 huang2 chu1) 220-226
Ming Di (明帝 ming2 di4)	Cao Rui\|曹叡 cao2 rui4	226-239	Taihe (太和 tai4 he2) 227-233 Qinglong (青龍 qing1 long2) 233-237 Jingchu (景初 jing3 chu1) 237-239
Qi Wang (齊王 qi2 wang2)	Cao Fang\|曹芳 cao2 fang1	239-254	Zhengshi (正始 zheng4 shi3) 240-249 Jiaping (嘉平 jia1 ping2) 249-254
Gao Gui Xiang Gong (高貴鄉公 gao1 gui4 xiang1 gong1)	Cao Mao\|曹髦 cao2 mao2	254-260	Zhengyuan (正元 zheng4 yuan2) 254-256 Ganlu (甘露 gan1 lu4) 256-260
Yuan Di (元帝 yuan2 di4)	Cao Huan\|曹奐 cao2 huan4	260-265	Jingyuan (景元 jing3 yuan2) 260-264 Xianxi (咸熙 xian2 xi1) 264-265
Shu or Shu-Han 221 - 263
Zhao Lie Di (昭烈帝 zhao1 lie4 di4)	劉備 (liu2 bei4)	221-223	Zhangwu (章武 zhang1 wu3) 221-223
Hou Zhu (後主 hou4 xhu3)	Liu Chan\|劉禪 (liu2 xhan2)	223-263	Jianxing (建興 jian4 xing1) 223-237 Yanxi (延熙 yan2 xi1) 238-257 Jingyao (景耀 jing3 yao4) 258-263 Yanxing (炎興 yan2 xing1) 263
Wu 222-280
Da Di (大帝 da4 di4)	孫權 sun1 quan2	222-252	Huangwu (黃武 huang2 wu3) 222-229 Huanglong (黃龍 huang2 long2) 229-231 Jiahe (嘉禾 jia1 he2) 232-238 Chiwu (赤烏 chi4 wu1) 238-251 Taiyuan (太元 tai4 yuan2) 251-252 Shenfeng (神鳳 shen2 feng4) 252
Kuai ji wang (會稽王 kuai4 ji1 wang2)	Sun Liang\|孫亮 sun1 liang4	252-258	Jianxing (建興 jian4 xing1) 252-253 Wufeng (五鳳 wu3 feng4) 254-256 Taiping (太平 tai4 ping2) 256-258
Jing Di (景帝 jing3 di4)	Sun Xiu\|孫休 sun1 xiu1	258-264	Yongan (永安 yong3 an1) 258-264
Wu Cheng Hou (烏程侯 wu1 cheng2 hou2)	Sun Hao\|孫皓 sun1 hao4	264-280	Yuanxing (元興 yuan2 xing1) 264-265 Ganlu (甘露 gan1 lu4) 265-266 Baoding (寶鼎 bao3 ding3) 266-269 Jianheng (建衡 jian4 heng2) 269-271 Fenghuang (鳳凰 feng4 huang2) 272-274 Tiance (天冊 tian1 ce4) 275-276 Tianxi (天璽 tian1 xi3) 276 Tianji (天紀 tian1 ji4) 277-280

**Jin Dynasty (265-420) Sovereigns**
Posthumous Names ( Shi Hao 諡號) and (how the sovereigns are referred)	Personal Names	Period of Reigns	Era Names (Nian Hao 年號) and their according range of years
Western Jin Dynasty 265-317
Wu Di (武帝 wu3 di4)	Sima Yan\|司馬炎 si1 ma3 yan2	265-290	Taishi (泰始 tai4 shi3) 265-274 Xianning (咸寧 xian2 ning2)275-279 Taikang (太康 tai4 kang1) 280-290 Taixi (太熙 tai4 xi1) 290
Hui Di (惠帝 hui4 di4)	Sima Zhong\|司馬衷 si1 ma3 zhong1	290-306	Yongxi (永熙 yong3 xi1) 290 Yongping (永平 yong3 ping) 291 Yuankang (元康 yuan2 kang1) 291-299 Yongkang (永康 yong3 kang1) 300-301 Yongning (永寧 yong3 ning2) 301-302 Taian (太安 tai4 an1) 302-303 Yongan (永安 yong3 an1) 304 Jianwu (建武 jian4 wu3) 304 Yongan (永安 yong3 an1) 304 Yongxing (永興 yong3 xing1) 304-306 Guangxi (光熙 guang1 xi1) 306
Huai Di (懷帝 huai2 di4)	Sima Zhong\|司馬熾 si1 ma3 chi4	307-311	Yongjia (永嘉 yong3 jia1) 307-313
Min Di (愍帝 min3 di4)	Sima Ye\|司馬鄴 si1 ma3 ye4	313-317	Jianxing (建興 jian4 xing1) 313-317
Eastern Jin Dynasty 317 AD - 420 AD
Yuan Di (元帝 yuan2 di4)	Sima Rui\|司馬睿 si1 ma3 rui4	317-322	Jianwu (建武 jian4 wu3) 317-318 Daxing (大興 da4 xing1) 318-321 Yongchang (永昌 yong3 chang3) 321-322
Ming Di (明帝 ming2 di4)	Sima Shao\|司馬紹 si1 ma3 shao4	322-325	Yongchang (永昌 yong3 chang3) 322-323 Taining (太寧 tai4 ning2) 323-325
Cheng Di (成帝 cheng2 di4)	Sima Yan\|司馬衍 si1 ma3 yan3	325-342	Taining (太寧 tai4 ning2) 325 Xianhe (咸和 xian2 he2) 326-334 Xiankang (咸康 xian2 kang1) 335-342
Kang Di (康帝 kang1 di4)	Sima Yue\|司馬岳 si1 ma3 yue4	342-344	Jianyuan (建元 jian4 yuan2) 342-344
Mu Di (穆帝 mu4 di4)	Sima Dan\|司馬聃 si1 ma3 dan1	345-361	Yonghe (永和 yong3 he2) 345-356 Shengping (升平 sheng1 ping2) 357-361
Ai Di (哀帝 ai1 di4)	Sima Pi\|司馬丕 si1 ma3 pi1	361-365	Longhe (隆和 long2 he2) 362-363 Xingning (興寧 xing1 ning2) 363-365
Hai Xi Gong (海西公 hai3 xi1 gong1)	Sima Yi\|司馬奕 si1 ma3 yi4	365-371	Taihe (太和 tai4 he2) 365-371
Jian Wen Di (簡文帝 jian3 wen2 di4)	Sima Yu\|司馬昱 si1 ma3 yu4	371-372	Xianan (咸安 xian2 an1) 371-372
Xiao Wu Di (孝武帝 xiao4 wu3 di4)	Sima Yao\|司馬曜 si1 ma3 yao4	372-396	Ningkang (寧康 ning2 kang1) 373-375 Taiyuan (太元 tai4 yuan2) 376-396
An Di (安帝 an1 di4)	Sima De Zong\|司馬德宗 si1 ma3 de2 zong1	396-418	Longan (隆安 long2 an1) 397-401 Yuanxing (元興 yuan2 xing1) 402-404 Yixi (義熙 yi4 xi1) 405-418
Gong Di (恭帝 gong1 di4)	Sima De Wen\|司馬德文 si1 ma3 de2 wen2	419-420	Yuanxi (元熙 yuan2 xi1) 419-420

**Sovereigns in the Period of Sixteen Kingdoms**
Temple Names ( Miao Hao 廟號 miao4 hao4)	Posthumous Names ( Shi Hao 諡號 )	Personal Names	Period of Reigns	Era Names (Nian Hao 年號) and their according range of years
Han Zhao Empire 304-329 AD(addressed separately in traditional texts as Han Empire and Former Zhao Empire)
Han Empire 304-318
Gao Zu (高祖 gao1 zu3)	Guang Wen Di (光文帝 guang1 wen2 di4)	Liu Yuan\|劉淵 liu2 yuan1	304-310	Jianxing (建興 jian4 xing1) 304-308 Yongfeng (永鳳 yong3 feng4) 308-309 Herui (河瑞 he2 rui4) 309-310
Did not exist	Liang Wang (梁王 liang2 wang2)	Liu He\|劉和 liu2 he2	7 days in 310	Did not exist
Lie Zong (烈宗 lie4 zong1)	Zhao Wu Di (昭武帝 zhao1 wu3 di4)	Liu Cong\|劉聰 liu2 cong1	310-318	Guangxing (光興 guang1 xing1) 310-311 Jiaping (嘉平 jia1 ping2) 311-315 Jianyuan (建元 jian4 yuan2) 315-316 Linjia (麟嘉 lin2 jia1) 264-265
Did not exist	Yin Di (隱帝 yin3 di4)	Liu Can\|劉粲 liu2 can4	a month and days in 318	Hanchang (漢昌 han4 chang1) 318
Former Zhao Empire 318-329
Did not exist	Hou Zhu (後主 hou4 xhu3)	Liu Yao\|劉曜 liu2 yao4	318-329	Guangchu (光初 guang1 chu1) 318-329
Later Zhao Empire 319 - 351
Gao Zu (高祖 gao1 zu3)	Ming Di (明帝 ming2 di4)	Shi Le\|石勒 shi2 le4	319-333	Zhaowang (趙王 zhao4 wang2) 319-328 Taihe (太和 tai4 he2) 328-330 Jianping (建平 jian4 ping2) 330-333
Did not exist	Hai Yang Wang (海陽王 hai3 yang2 wang2)	Shi Hong\|石弘 shi2 hong2	333-334	Jianping (建平 jian4 ping2) 333 Yanxi (延熙 yan2 xi1) 334
Tai Zu (太祖 tai4 zu3)	Wu Di (武帝 wu3 di4)	Shi Hu\|石虎 shi2 hu3	334-349	Jianwu (建武 jian4 wu3) 334-349 Taining (太寧 tai4 ning2) 349
Did not exist	Qiao Wang (譙王 qiao2 wang2)	Shi Shi\|石世 shi2 shi4	73 days in 349	Taining (太寧 tai4 ning2) 73 days in 349
Did not exist	Pang Cheng Wang (彭城王 pang2 cheng2 wang2)	Shi Zun\|石遵 shi2 zun1	183 days in 349	Taining (太寧 tai4 ning2) 183 days in 349
Did not exist	Yi Yang Wang (義陽王 yi4 yang2 wang2)	Shi Jian\|石鑒 shi2 jian4	103 days within 349-350	Qinglong (青龍 qing1 long2) 103 days within 349-350
Did not exist	Xin Xing Wang (新興王 xin1 xing1 wang2)	Shi Zhi\|石祗 shi2 zhi1	350-351	Yongning (永寧 yong3 ning2) 349-350
Cheng Han Empire 303-347 AD(addressed separately in traditional texts as Cheng Empire and Han Empire)
Cheng Empire 303-338
Shi Zu (始祖 shi3 zu3) or Shi Zu (世祖 shi4 zu3)	Jing Di (景帝 jing3 di4)	Li Te\|李特 li3 te4	303	Jianchu (建初 jian4 chu1) or Jingchu (景初 jing3 chu1) 303
Did not exist	Qin Wen Wang (秦文王 qin2 wen2 wang2)	Li Liu\|李流 li3 liu2	several months in 303	Did not exist
Tai Zong (太宗 tai4 zong1)	Wu Di (武帝 wu3 di4)	Li Xiong\|李雄 li3 xiong2	303-334	Jianxing (建興 jian4 xing1) 303-305 Yanping (晏平 yan4 ping2) 305-311 Yuheng (玉衡 yu4 heng2) 311-334
Did not exist	Ai Di (哀帝 ai1 si4)	Li Ban\|李班 li3 ban1	7 months in 334	Yuheng (玉衡 yu4 heng2) 7 months in 334
Did not exist	You Gong (幽公 you1 gong1)	Li Qi\|李期 li3 qi1	334-338	Yuheng (玉恆 yu4 heng2) 334-338
Han Empire 338-347
Zhong Zong (中宗 zhong1 zong1)	Zhao Wen Di (昭文帝 zhao1 wen2 di4)	Li Shou\|李壽 li3 shou4	338-343	Hanxing (漢興 han4 xing1) 338-343
Did not exist	Gui Yi Hou (歸義侯 gui1 yi4 hou2)	Li Shi\|李勢 li3 shi4	343-347	Taihe (太和 tai4 he2) 343-346 Jianing (嘉寧 jia1 ning2) 346-347
Former Yan Empire 337-370
Tai Zu (太祖 tai4 zu3)	Wen Ming Di (文明帝 wen2 ming2 di4)	Mu Rong Huang\|慕容皝 mu4 rong2 huang3	337-348	Yanwang (燕王 yan4 wang2) 337-348
Lie Zong (烈宗 lie4 zong1)	Jing Zhao Di (景昭帝 jing3 zhao1 di4)	Mu Rong Jun\|慕容俊 mu4 rong2 jun4	348-360	Yanwang (燕王 yan4 wang2) 348-353 Yuanxi (元璽 yuan2 xi3) 353-357 Shengping (升平 sheng1 ping2) 357 Guangshou (光壽 gunag1 shou4) 357-360
Did not exist	You Di (幽帝 you1 di4)	Mu Rong Wei\|慕容暐 mu4 rong2 wei3	360-370	Jianxi (建熙 jian4 xi1) 360-365 Jianyuan (建元 jian4 yuan2) 365-370
Later Yan Empire 384-407
Shi Zu (世祖 shi4 zu3)	Wu Cheng Di (武成帝 wu3 cheng2 di4)	Mu Rong Chui\|慕容垂 mu4 rong2 chui2	384-396	Yanyuan (燕王 yan4 wang2) 384-385 Jianxing (建興 jian4 xing1) 386-396
Lie Zong (烈宗 lie4 zong1)	Hui Min Di (惠愍帝 hui4 min3 di4)	Mu Rong Bao\|慕容寶 mu4 rong2 bao3	396-398	Yongkang (永康 yong3 kang1) 348-353
Zhong Zong (中宗 zhong1 zong1)	Zhao Wu Di (昭武帝 zhao1 wu3 di4)	Mu Rong Sheng\|慕容盛 mu4 rong2 sheng4	398-401	Jianping (建平 jian4 ping2) 398 Changluo (長2樂4 chang2 le4) 399-401
Did not exist	Zhao Wen Di (昭文帝 zhao1 wen2 di4)	Mu Rong Xi\|慕容熙 mu4 rong2 xi1	401-407	Guangshi (光始 guang1 shi3) 401-406 Jianshi (建始 jian4 shi3) 407
Southern Yan Empire 398-410
Shi Zong (世宗 shi4 zong1)	Xian Wu Di (獻武帝 xian4 wu3 di4)	Mu Rong De\|慕容德 mu4 rong2 de2	398-405	Yanwang (燕王 yan4 wang2) 398-400 Jianping (建平 jian4 ping2) 400-405
Did not exist	Hou Zhu (後主 hou4 xhu3)	Mu Rong Chao\|慕容超 mu4 rong2 chao1	405-410	Taishang (太上 tai4 shang4) 405-410
Northern Yan Empire 407-436
Did not exist	Hui Yi Di (惠懿帝 hui4 yi4 di4)	Gao Yun\|高雲 gao1 yun2	407-409	Zhengshi (正始 zheng4 shi3) 407-409
Tai Zu (太祖 tai4 zu3)	Wen Cheng Di (文成帝 wen2 cheng2 di4)	Feng Ba\|馮跋 feng2 ba2	409-430	Taiping (太平 tai4 ping2) 409-430
Did not exist	Zhao Cheng Di (昭成帝 zhao1 cheng2 di4)	Feng Hong\|馮弘 feng2 hong2	430-436	Daxing (大興 da4 xing1) 430-436
Former Liang Kingdom 320-376
Did not exist	Cheng Gong (成公 cheng2 gong1)	Zhang Mao\|張茂 zhang1 mao4	320-324	Jianxing (建興 jian4 xing1) 320-324
Did not exist	Zhong Cheng Gong (忠成公 zhong1 cheng2 gong1)	Zhang Jun\|張駿 zhang1 jun4	324-346	Jianxing (建興 jian4 xing1) 324-346
Did not exist	Huan Gong (桓公 huan2 gong1)	Zhang Chong Hua\|張重華 zhang1 chong2 hua2	346-353	Jianxing (建興 jian4 xing1) 346-353
Did not exist	Ai Gong (哀公 ai1 gong1)	Zhang Yao Ling\|張曜靈 zhang1 yao4 ling2	3 months (the ninth to the twelfth month) in 353	Jianxing (建興 jian4 xing1) 353
Did not exist	Wei Wang (威王 wei1 wang2)	Zhang Zuo\|張祚 zhang1 zuo4	353-355	Jianxing (建興 jian4 xing1) 353-354 Heping (和平 he2 ping2) 354-355
Did not exist	Jing Dao Gong (敬悼公 jing4 dao4 gong1) or Chong Gong (沖公 chong1 gong1)	Zhang Xuan Jing\|張玄靖 zhang1 xuan2 jing4	355-363	Jianxing (建興 jian4 xing1) 355-361 Shengping (升平 sheng1 ping2) 361-363
Did not exist	Dao Gong (悼公 dao4 gong1)	Zhang Tian Xi\|張天錫 zhang1 tian1 xi2	364-376	Shengping (升平 sheng1 ping2) 364-376
Later Liang Kingdom 386 AD - 403 AD
Tai Zu (太祖 tai4 zu3)	Yi Wu Wang (懿武王 yi4 wu3 wang2)	Luu Guang\|呂光 uu3 guang1	386-399	Taian (太安 tai4 an1) 386-389 Lunjia (麟嘉 lun2 jia1) 389-396 Longfei (龍飛 long2 fei1) 396-399
Did not exist	Yin Wang (隱王 yin3 wang2)	Luu Shao\|呂紹 luu3 shao4	399	Longfei (龍飛 long2 fei1) 399
Did not exist	Ling Wang (靈王 ling2 wang2)	Luu Zuan\|呂纂 luu3 zuan3	399-401	Xianning (咸寧 xian2 ning2) 399-401
Did not exist	Shang Shu Gong (尚書公 shang4 shu1 gong1) or Jiankang Gong (建康公 jian4 kang1 gong1)	Luu Long\|呂隆 luu3 long2	401-403	Shending (神鼎 shen2 ding3) 401-403
Southern Liang Kingdom 397 AD - 414 AD
Lie Zu (烈祖 lie4 zu3)	Wu Wang (武王 wu3 wang2)	Tufa Wu Gu\|禿髮烏孤 tu1 fa3 wu1 gu1	397-399	Taichu (太初 tai4 chu1) 397-399
Did not exist	Kang Wang (康王 kang1 wang2)	Tufa Li Lu Gu\|禿髮利鹿孤 tu1 fa3 li4 lu4 gu1	399-402	Jianhe (建和 jian4 he2) 399-402
Did not exist	Jing Wang (景王 jing3 wang2) or Jing Wang (敬王 jing4 wang2)	Tufa Ru Tan\|禿髮(人+辱)檀 tu1 fa3 li4 ru? tan2	402-414	Hongchang (弘昌 hong2 chang1) 402-404 Jiaping (嘉平 jia1 ping2) 409-414
Northern Liang Kingdom 397-414 (as Kings of Gao Chang 442-460)
Did not exist	Did not exist	Duan Ye\|段業 duan4 ye4	397-401	Shen Xi (神璽 shen2 xi3) 397-399 Tian Xi (天璽 tian1 xi3) 399-401
Tai Zu (太祖 tai4 zu3)	Wu Xuan Wang (武宣王 wu3 xuan1 wang2)	Ju Qu Meng Xun\|沮渠蒙遜 ju3 qu2 meng2 xun4	401-433	Yongan (永安 yong3 an1) 401-412 Xuanshi (玄始 xuan2 shi3) 412-428 Chengxuan (承玄 cheng2 xuan2) 428-430 Yihe (義和 yi4 he2) 430-433
Did not exist	Ai Wang (哀王 ai1 wang2)	Ju Qu Mu Jian\|沮渠牧犍 ju3 qu2 mu4 jian1	433-439	Yonghe (永和 yong3 he2) 433-439
Did not exist	Did not exist	Ju Qu Wu Hui\|沮渠無諱 ju3 qu2 wu2 hui4	442-444	Chengping (承平 cheng2 ping2) 442-443 Ganshou (乾壽 gan1 shou4) 443-444
Did not exist	Did not exist	Ju Qu An Zhou\|沮渠安周 ju3 qu2 an1 zhou1	444-460	Chengping (承平 cheng2 ping2) 444-460
Western Liang Kingdom 400-421
Tai Zu (太祖 tai4 zu3)	Wu Zhao Wang (武昭王 wu3 zhao1 wang2)	Li Gao\|李暠 li3 gao3	400-417	Gengzi (庚子 geng1 zi5) 400-405 Jianchu (建初 jian4 chu1) 406-417
Did not exist	Hou Zhu (後主 hou4 xhu3)	Li Xin\|李歆 li3 xin1	417-420	Jiaxing (嘉興 jia1 xing1) 417-420
Did not exist	Hou Zhu (後主 hou4 xhu3)	Li Xun\|李恂 li3 xun2	420-421	Yongjian (永建 yong3 jian4) 420-421
Former Qin Empire 351 AD - 394 AD
Gao Zu (高祖 gao1 zu3)	Jing Ming Di (景明帝 jing3 ming2 di4)	Fu Jian\|苻健 fu2 jian4	351-355	Huangshi (皇始 huang2 shi3) 351-355
Did not exist	Li Wang (厲王 li4 wang2)	Fu Sheng\|苻生 fu2 sheng1	355-357	Shouguang (壽光 shou4 guang1) 355-357
Shi Zu (世祖 shi4 zu3)	Xuan Zhao Di (宣昭帝 xuan1 shao1 di4)	Fu Jian\|苻堅 fu2 jian1	357-385	Yongxing (永興 yong3 xing1) 357-359 Ganlu (甘露 gan1 lu4) 359-364 Jianyuan (建元 jian4 yuan2) 365-385
Did not exist	Ai Ping Di (哀平帝 ai1 ping2 di4)	Fu Pi\|苻丕 fu2 pi1	385-386	Taian (太安 tai4 an1) 385-386
Tai Zong (太宗 tai4 zong1)	Gao Di (高帝 gao1 di4)	Fu Deng\|苻登 fu2 deng1	386-394	Taichu (太初 tai4 chu1) 385-394
Did not exist	Hou Zhu (後主 hou4 xhu3)	Fu Chong\|苻崇 fu2 chong2	several months in 394	Yanchu (延初 yan2 chu1) 394
Later Qin Empire 384 AD - 417 AD
Tai Zu (太祖 tai4 zu3)	Wu Zhao Di (武昭帝 wu3 zhao1 di4)	Yao Chang\|姚萇 yao2 chang2	384-393	Bai Que(白雀 bai2 que4) 384-386 Jianchu (建初 jian4 chu1) 386-393
Gao Zu (高祖 gao1 zu3)	Wen Huan Di (文桓帝 wen2 huan2 di4)	Yao Xing\|姚興 yao2 xing1	394-416	Huangchu (皇初 huang2 chu1) 394-399 Hongshi (弘始 hong2 shi3) 399-416
Did not exist	Hou Zhu (後主 hou4 xhu3)	Yao Hong\|姚泓 yao2 hong2	416-417	Yonghe (永和 yong3 he2) 416-417
Western Qin Kingdom 385-400,409-431
Lie Zu (烈祖 lie4 zu3)	Xuan Lie Wang (宣烈王 xuan1 lie4 wang2)	Qifu Guo Ren\|乞伏國仁 qi3 fu2 guo2 ren2	385-388	Jianyi (建義 jian4 yi4) 385-388
Gao Zu (高祖 gao1 zu3)	Wu Yuan Wang (武元王 wu3 yuan2 wang2)	Qifu Gan Gui\|乞伏乾歸 qi3 fu2 gan1 gui1	388-400,409-412	Taichu (太初 tai4 chu1) 388-400 Gengshi (更始 geng4 shi3) 409-412
Tai Zu (太祖 tai4 zu3)	Wen Zhao Wang (文昭王 wen2 zhao1 wang2)	Qifu Chi Pan\|乞伏熾磐 qi3 fu2 chi4 pan2	388-400,409-412	Yongkang (永康 yong3 kang1) 412-419 Jianhong (建弘 jian4 hong2) 420-428
Did not exist	Hou Zhu (後主 hou4 xhu3)	Qifu Mu Mo\|乞伏暮末 qi3 fu2 mu4 mo4	428-431	Yonghong (永弘 yong3 hong2) 428-431
Xia Empire 407-431
Shi Zu (世祖 shi4 zu3)	Wu Lie Di (武烈帝 wu3 lie4 di4)	Helian Bo Bo\|赫連勃勃 he4 lian2 bo2 bo2	407-425	Longsheng (龍升 long2 sheng1) 407-413 Fengxiang (鳳翔 feng4 xiang2) 413-418 Changwu (昌武 chang1 wu3) 418-419 Zhenxing (真興 chen1 xing1) 419-425
Did not exist	Qin Wang (秦王 qin2 wang2)	Helian Chang\|赫連昌 he4 lian2 chang1	425-428	Chengguang (承光 cheng2 guang1) 425-428
Did not exist	Ping Yuan Wang (平原王 ping2 yuan2 wang2)	Helian Ding\|赫連定 he4 lian2 ding4	428-431	Shengguang (勝光 sheng4 guang1) 425-428

**Sovereignties established by Chinese and Wu Hu by traditionally not counted in the Sixteen Kingdoms**
Posthumous Names ( Shi Hao 諡號) and (how the sovereigns are referred)	Personal Names	Period of Reigns	Era Names (Nian Hao 年號) and their according range of years
Ran Wei Kingdom 350-352 (addressed as Wei Kingdom in traditional texts)
Wu Dao Tian Wang (武道天王 wu3 dao4 tian1 wang2)	Ran Min\|冉閔 ran3 min3	350-352	Yongxing (永興 yong3 xing1) 350-352
Western Yan Empire 384-394
Wei Di (威帝 wei1 di4)	Mu Rong Hong\|慕容泓 mu4 rong2 hong2	384	Yanxing (燕興 yan4 xing1) 384
Did not exist	Mu Rong Chong\|慕容沖 mu4 rong2 chong1	384-386	Yanxing (燕興 yan4 xing1) 384-385 Gengshi (更始 geng4 shi3) 385-386
Did not exist	Duan Sui\|段隨 duan4 sui2	386	Changping (昌平 chang1 ping2) 386
Did not exist	Mu Rong Tao\|慕容韜 mu4 rong2 tao1	386	Jianming (建明 jian4 ming2) 386
Did not exist	Mu Rong Yao\|慕容瑤 mu4 rong2 yao2	386	Jianping (建平 jian4 ping2) 386
Did not exist	Mu Rong Zhong\|慕容忠 mu4 rong2 zhong1	386	Jianwu (建武 jian4 wu3) 386
Did not exist	Mu Rong Yong\|慕容永 mu4 rong2 yong3	386-394	Zhongxing (中興 zhong1 xing1) 386-394
Shu Kingdom 405-413
Cheng Du Wang (成都王 cheng2 du1 wang2)	Qiao Zong\|譙縱 qiao2 zong4	405-413	Did not exist
Chieftains of Tiefu Tribe ( mid-3rd century-391 )
Did not exist	Liu Qu Bei\|劉去卑 liu2 qu4 bei1	mid 3rd century	Did not exist
Did not exist	Liu Gao Sheng Yuan\|劉誥升爰 liu2 gao4 sheng1 yuan2	mid 3rd century - late 3rd century	Did not exist
Did not exist	Liu Hu\|劉虎 liu2 hu3	early 4th century (309?) - 341	Did not exist
Did not exist	Liu Wu Heng\|劉務恒 liu2 wu4 heng2	341-356	Did not exist
Did not exist	Liu E Luu Tou\|劉閼陋頭 liu2 e4 lou4 tou2	356-358	Did not exist
Did not exist	Liu Xi Wu Qi\|劉悉勿祈 liu2 xi1 wu4 qi2	358-359	Did not exist
Did not exist	Liu Wei Chen\|劉衛辰 liu2 wei4 chen2	359-391	Did not exist

List of the Ming Emperors:

call sign of emporer, original name, (name of era, range of year)
明太祖朱元璋 (洪武 1368-1398)
明惠帝朱允炆 (建文 1399-1402)
明成祖朱棣 (永樂 1403-1424)
明仁宗朱高熾 (洪熙 1425)
明宣宗朱瞻基 (宣德 1426-1435)
明英宗朱祁鎮 (正統 1436-1449)
明景帝朱祁鈺 (景泰 1450-1456)
明英宗朱祁鎮 (天順 1457-1464) A rerun, same person as in 1436-1449
明憲宗朱見深 (成化 1465-1487)
明孝宗朱祐樘 (弘治 1488-1505)
明武宗朱厚照 (正德 1506-1521)
明世宗朱厚熜 (嘉靖 1522-1566)
明穆宗朱栽垢 (隆慶 1567-1572)
明神宗朱翊鈞 (萬歷 1573-1620)
明光宗朱常洛 (泰昌 1620)
明熹宗朱由校 (天啟 1621-1627)
明思宗朱由檢 (崇禎 1628-1644)