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The '''Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors''' were mythological leaders and heroes of [[China]]. They were said to have lived before and during the [[Xia Dynasty]].

==Three Sovereigns==

The Three Sovereigns were considered gods, or at least superhuman. Each was credited with inventing some element of culture.

===Fu Xi===

Fu Xi ([[Chinese]]: 伏羲)) was the great father of China. He is credited with inventing language, writing, laws, crafting and government.

===Nu Wa===

Nu Wa ([[Chinese]]: 女媧)) was the great mother of China. She is credited with inventing civilization and the family. In some myths, she also created people.

===Shen Nong===

Shen Nong ([[Chinese]]: 神農)) was a god of the natural world. He is credited with inventing agriculture, herding, trade and medicine.

==Five Emperors==

The Five Emperors were human but considered morally perfect. Some of these men may have existed but most of them were mythical, designed to be ideal rulers.

===Huangdi===

Huangdi ([[Simplified Chinese|Simplified]]: 黄帝; [[Traditional Chinese|Traditional]]: 黃帝)) was said to be the first ruler, by consent of Fu Xi. While said to be human, he is often treated as a demigod, particularly by [[Daoist]]s. He is identified with the earth phase and the center.

===Zhuanxu===

Zhuanxu ([[Simplified Chinese|Simplified]]: 转虚; [[Traditional Chinese|Traditional]]: 轉虛）) was a descendant of Huangdi who was credited with many cultural advancements, particularly [[astrology]] and [[astronomy]]. Of the Five Emperors, Zhuanxu was the one who most likely existed.

===Shaohao===

Shaohao (Chinese: 稍好)) was another descendant of Huangdi who ruled over his own kingdom. He founded that state when he was eighteen and ruled for eighty-four years.

===Yao===

Emperor Yao ([[Simplified Chinese|Simplified]]: 肴; [[Traditional Chinese|Traditional]]: 餚)) was the first ruler after the end of Huangdi's line. Said to be the most noble leader of his era, he was cited often by [[Confucius]] and appears in all pre-Han historical records.

===Shun===

Emperor Shun (Chinese: 吮)) was the son-in-law of Emperor Yao. According to legend, he established the Xia Dynasty.

[[Category:Chinese History]]