ACADEMY OF SAINT GABRIEL REPORT 2346
http://www.s-gabriel.org/2346
************************************
From: "Valerie Putman"
18 Sep 2001
Greetings from the Academy of Saint Gabriel!
You asked for a list of common masculine names that were used by the ruling
class in southern central China between 1100 and 1500, inclusive. You were
also interested in Chinese heraldry from that era.
We would like to apologize for the length of time it has taken us to
finish this report. Chinese naming is a new area for us, so it took
longer than usual to get the necessary information and organize it.
We made some assumptions to simplify our research because your era includes
seven dynasties, with significantly different boundaries.[1] We assumed
your region is south of the Yangtze River, is within the mainland, and does
not include the provinces along China's current east and west boundaries.
Therefore, we searched for names used by natives of, or officials who spent
much time in, Kweichou, Kuangsi, Hunan, Kuantung, and Kiangsi provinces.[2]
In addition, only four of the seven dynasties were Han (native Chinese).
Foreign invaders ruled Han during the other three dynasties.[3] However,
two of these foreign groups adopted many Han traditions, including much of
the Han naming practices, during their tenure. We therefore assumed you
want a Han name, preferably from the upper social classes.
We need to begin with some background on the Chinese writing system. It is
very different from alphabetic systems most Westerners use. Even today each
written Chinese character represents one syllable and each possible syllable
is meaningful. These characters are traditionally written in columns from
top to bottom, one character per line, with columns written from right to
left. There was no punctuation to identify sentences, phrases, or
polysyllabic words. Even today literate Chinese think of characters, rather
than words, as their basic language unit.
To complicate matters, each syllable is a pronunciation for many different
written characters, each with its own definition. Chinese has many more
homophones (words that sound the same but have different definitions, such
as <sea> and <see>) than English. Therefore, sound often is not enough to
identify which written character is intended. Han often need to see written
characters to understand a spoken word. However, a written character does
not completely indicate pronunciation because the same writing system is
used for many different dialects, and as a basis for other written Asian
languages. In addition, there are a few characters that have more than one,
slightly different pronunciations, each with its own very different
definition.
Unfortunately, we cannot use Chinese characters here. We are limited to
romanization (representing Chinese characters with Roman letters) for
various reasons. You will also need to use such a representation if you
decide to register a Chinese name with the College of Arms.[4] Romanization
makes it difficult to distinguish between homophones, which makes it
difficult to identify which syllables and written Chinese characters go with
which name. We try to reduce this difficulty by translating each syllable
to help you identify exactly which Chinese character is intended. (If you
need more help identifying written Chinese characters after you select your
name, ask us to provide an image of the appropriate characters.) Syllable
translations listed here do not necessarily give the real meaning of a
polysyllabic word. For example, <ch'ing-p'i> literally translates as "green
skin," but it actually means "rogue." We cannot translate many names that
are longer than one or two syllables because none of our current members
reads Chinese. However, we can usually translate monosyllabic names because
we only need a Chinese-English dictionary (many syllable meanings have not
changed significantly since ancient times). Similarly, we can translate
some disyllabic names because their syllables often do not form a non-name
phrase.
Another difficulty is that there are several incompatible systems of
romanization. The two most common modern romanization conventions are
Wade-Giles and Pinyin. Both conventions are based on modern Mandarin
dialect. They are not interchangeable because, in many cases, they use
different letters to represent the same sound, as you'll see in names we
list later in this letter. We list Wade-Giles romanizations first, followed
by Pinyin romanizations in brackets ([]). We modified these romanization
conventions slightly to be more consistent with Chinese written characters.
We write each syllable as a separate word. (Wade Giles romanization
typically hyphenates polysyllabic names and Pinyin romanization typically
joins polysyllabic names into a single word.)
Moreover, common Chinese sounds are quite different from common sounds in
English and other major European lanquages. Therefore, all standard
romanizations use letters and letter combinations that are pronounced very
differently than you probably expect. We are not able to provide a medieval
pronunciation guide at this time, but we have listed pronunciations based on
modern Mandarin.[17] Our pronunciation information includes numbers (1, 2,
3, or 4) at the end of most Chinese syllables listed here. These numbers,
usually superscripted in word-processed documents, indicate a syllable's
spoken tone. At their simplest,
Tone 1 is high level
Tone 2 is high rising
Tone 3 is low dipping
Tone 4 is high falling
Tone combinations in polysyllabic names and words can be much more
complicated. However, such tone combinations can be roughly approximated by
treating each syllable as a separate entity. You can learn more about tones
and pronunciation, through the web addresses below. (There are no blank
spaces in these addresses. If your font underlines web addresses, a space
that looks blank is actually a single underscore character.)
http://www.wellgot.ca/phonetic/preface-e.htm
http://icg.harvard.edu/~pinyin/
http://www.wannalearn.com/Academic_Subjects/World_Languages/Chinese/
Except for tone indications, pronunciations are listed inside backward
slashes (\). These pronunciations use some special notations, gathered
here for reference purposes because this letter's Chinese name lists are
rather long. Some of these notations are standard for all our letters,
others are standard only for this letter. These notations apply only to
pronunciations, not to romanizations.
@ represents the sound of 'a' in <sofa> and <about>
'hy' is pronounced with lots of friction if it is the pronunciation of
an 'X' as the first letter of a word with Pinyin romanization.
'oe' is pronounced as in <Joe>
'oo' is pronounced as in <moon>
'ow' is pronounced as in <how>
'R' represents a sound similar to one of two common American
\r\ pronunciations. Many Americans pronounce it with the tip of
the tongue curled up and back, almost touching the roof of the mouth.
To make a good approximation to \R\, just curl your tongue back a
bit further than normal and increase the friction; the result should
sound almost like \zh\.
'u:' is pronounced as the 'ue' in <Dueseldorf>. The colon represents
an umlat, or two dots, over the previous letter.
'y' is either a consonant as in <yes> or a vowel as in <my>. The vowel
case is always explicitly indicated in this letter.
We also want to provide some background in Han naming conventions. Our
information indicates the general conventions changed very slowly in period,
and most of them were still in effect in the early 20th Century. [5, 6, 7,
8, 9, 10]
A Han with any social, civic, or military status would consistently use an
inherited family name, a <hsing4> [xing4], even in early SCA period. Since
ancient times, family names come first in a Han name, even before a title or
form of respectful address [6, 7, 8, 11, 14]. Family names are used more
consistently than any other name or title when referring to a person.
Although hsing originally had meaning, by early SCA period an hsing's
meaning was much less important than relationships it indicated.[12] In
addition, hsing were inherited in period. Therefore, a man who inherited a
hsing that translates as <archer> was most probably not an archer.
In period and today, an authentic Han name begins with a family name. The
five most common hsing at the end of the Yuan Dynasty, used throughout China
by then, were:[7]
<Chang1> [Zhang1], which translates as "to draw a bow"
Pronounced \djahng\
<Chao4> [Zhao4], which translates as "to hasten to, a surname"
Pronounced \djow\, to rhyme with <how>
<Li3> [Li3], which translates as "plum, plum tree"
Pronounced \lee\
<Liu2> [Liu2] translates as "an axe; to kill; a family name"
Pronounced \lyoh\
<Wang2> [Wang2] translates as "prince, king"
Pronounced \wahng\
Other hsing used in your region and era include:[6, 7, 8]
<Ch'e^n2> [Chen2] translates as, "ancient, old, a long time; to arrange."
(The carat '^' represents a hachek over the preceeding letter.)
Pronounced \tch@n\ where \@\ represents the sound of 'a' in
<sofa> and <about>
(Honan, Chiangsu, Shantung and Kiangsi provinces)
<Chou1> [Zhou1] translates as, "a dynasty; a bend, to surround,
circumference, circuit, complete; week; thoughtful."
Pronounced \djoe\ as in <Joe>
(Shansi, Honan, Kiangsi, and other provinces)
<Chu1> [Zhu1] translates as, "red, vermilion."
Pronounced \djoo\, with 'oo' as in <moon>
(Shantung, Hunan and other provinces)
<Ho2> [He2] translates as, "interogative pronoun who, which, what,
where, how."
Pronounced \h@\
(along theYangtze and Huai rivers, including Kiangsi province)
<Hsia4> [Xia4] translates as, "summer; the first dynasty
(2200-1700 BCE); Chinese."
Pronounced \hyah\ with strong friction on the \hy\
(Che-chiang, Hunan, and other provinces)
<Hsieh4> [Xie4] translates as, "a proper name."
Pronounced \hyeh\ with strong friction on the \hy\
(Honan, Kiangsi, and other provinces)
<Hsieh4> [Xie4] translates as, "to thank; to cease; to resign; to confess."
Pronounced \hyeh\ with strong friction on the \hy\
(Honan, Kiangsi, and other provinces)
<Hu2> [Hu2] translates as, "why? what? how? Mongols."
Pronounced \hoo\
(Hopei, Kiangsi, and other provinces)
<Huang2> [Huang2] translates as, "yellow; imperial; a surname."
Pronounced \hwahng\
(Honan, Kiangsi, and other provinces)
<Hung2> [Hong2] translates as, "an innundation, flood; vast, immense."
Pronounced \hung\ with \u\ as in <put>
(Chiangsi, Chiangsu, Kiangsi and other provinces)
<Lo2> [Luo2] translates as, "a spring net; a sieve; to spread out;
humpbacked."
Pronounced \lwaw\
(Hupei, Changsha, Hunan, Nanchang, and
Chianghsi provinces)
<Lu:3> [Lu:3] translates as, "vertebrae; musical tunes." (The colon, ':,'
represents an umlat, or two dots, over the preceeding letter.)
Pronounced \lu:\ with 'u:' like the 'ue' in <Dueseldorf>
(Honan, Kiangsi, and other provinces)
<P'e^ng2> [Peng2] translates as, "a family name; drumming."
Pronounced \p@ng\.
(Chiangsu, Hunan, Kiangsi, and other provinces)
<Su1> [Su1] translates as, "species of thyme; to revive, to cheer up."
Pronounced \soo\ with 'oo' as in <moon>
(Honan, Kansu, Kiangsi, and other provinces)
<Sun1> [Sun1] translates as, "Grandchild."
Pronounced \soon\ with 'oo' as in <moon>
(Shansi, Kiangsi and other provinces)
<Wang1> [Wang1] translates as, "immense; abundant."
Pronounced \wahng\
(Shensi, Kuangtung and other provinces)
<We^n2> [Wen2] translates as, "strokes, lines, variegated; genteel,
stylish, scholarly, a classifier of cash."
Pronounced \w@n\
(Kiangsi, Shensi, and other provinces)
<Wu2> [Wu2] translates as, "to brag; a proper name; name of one of the
Three Kingdoms 'dynasty' (222-280)."
Pronounced \woo\ with 'oo' as in <moon>
(Chiangsu, Chechiang, Shantung, Kiangsi and
other provinces)
<Yang2> [Yang2] translates as, "poplar."
Pronounced \yahng\
(Shanhsi, Chihli, Hunan, Kiangsu, Shantung, and Shensi provinces)
<Yao2> [Yao2] translates as, "handsome, elegant."
Pronounced \yow\, which rhymes with <how>
(Chiangsu, Kuangsi, and other provinces)
<Yen2> [Yan2] translates as, "severe, stern, rigid, solemn; very; night
watch."
Pronounced \yahn\
(Che-chiang, Kiangsi, and other provinces)
Unlike inherited Han family names, Han given name were primarily selected
based on meaning. Meaning was much more important than sound. Most given
names were auspicious, a few were descriptive, and some were conferred to
honor an ancestor or patron. Masculine names often indicated the bearer was
competent, aggressive, scholarly, successful, or trustworthy.
There are several primary types of Han given names that a man used in his
lifetime. A Han of any social status had both a <ming2> [ming2] and <tzu4>
[zi4].[13] A ming is a formal or official name, the first of which is
typically given by his parents in infancy or early childhood. A tzu is a
style, informal, or familiar name by which he was typically known outside
the home. An uncle, elder brother, or close family friend typically
conferred his first tzu as he neared adulthood. A tzu is not a nickname or
epithet. However, a man's tzu might be a variant of his ming, or it might
be completely unrelated. People often changed their ming, tzu, or both if
the names became inappropriate or outdated. However, it appears that a
person did not normally have more than one ming and tzu at a time.
Ming and tzu[13] consisted of one or two syllables. Our examples indicate
disyllabic names are at least slightly more common than monosyllabic names.
Disyllabic names can form a phrase or to express a single idea, for example,
to indicate a man is honest and successful, or that he is supremely
successful. Sometimes the syllables of a disyllabic name were repetitive,
either using the same syllable twice (for example, <Chih2 Chih2>, in which
the repeated syllable means "honest") or using two synonymous syllables (for
example, <Chih2 Ch'ing1>, in which both syllables mean "honest").
Many Han also had one or more <hao4> [hao4], which they would also change
whenever appropriate. A hao is a fancy name, literary name, or title used
as a name. It is typically short, but often included more than two
syllables. Many hao appear to be epithets or descriptive phrases. A few
hao appear to be nicknames or sobriquets, but they apparently were not
diminutives of ming or tzu. Hao were typically conferred by friends,
colleagues, or relatives. A few hao were truly titles conferred by a
civilian or military authority. In some cases a man was better known to the
general public by his hao, than by his tzu or ming.
Which given name was used, if any, depended on many factors. For example, a
Han would not use a man's ming when addressing him directly or, usually,
when he held higher social status. However, a hao could be more appropriate
in some cases than a tzu. In addition, Han apparently did not chain
together given names. Instead, each given name was used singly, with the
family name and, possibly, with a title such as "lord" or "general."
We can illustrate some of these practices using an 11th C native of Kiangsu
province, north of your region. This historical gentleman had family name
<Mi3>, ming <Fei4> refering to a characteristic (probably importance or
integrity) that overshadows all others, and tzu <Yu:an2 Chang1> meaning
"First Principle" or "Basic Rule" [7]. His biographical data indicate he
was officially called <Mi3 Fei4>, but other information indicates that this
official name would be used in public only on very formal occassions if he
was absent. His biographical data also indicate he was normally called
<Mi3 Yu:an2 Chang1> in public, especially when he was present.
Biographical data indicate he was also called <Mi3 Hsiang1 Yang2>, based on
his birthplace [7, 22]. From other information we know that in public
people might call him <Mi3>, without mentioning either of his given names,
but that it would be extremely rude to omit his family name. [5, 6, 7, 8,
11, 14]
The following are given names that we can currently confirm were used in
your era and region. Most of these names should be from the upper social
classes. However, a few might be the names of individuals from less
elevated classes who entered traditionally upper-class positions through
academic and civil excellence or through relationship to an official's
wife or favored concubine.[7, 8]
The following names were ming:[7, 8, 20]
<Ch'e^ng2> [Cheng2] (1247-1331) meaning, "Purity" or "Clarity."
Pronounced \tch@ng\.
<Ch'e^ng2> translates as, "clear, transparent; to filter, to clarify."
(Kiangsi province)
<Che^ng4 Ch'ang2> [Zheng4 Chang2] (1335-1378).
Pronounced \dj@ng tchahng\.
<Che^ng4> translates as, "correct, straight, regular; to govern; the
first, the principal; just, precisely."
<Ch'ang2> translates as, "constant, regular, frequent; a rule, a
principle."
(Kiangsi province)
<Che^ng4 Yen2> [Zheng4 Yan2] (d1359).
Pronounced \dj@ng yahn\.
<Che^ng4> translates as, "correct, straight, regular; to govern; the
first, the principal; just, precisely."
<Yen2> translates as, "words, to speak, to tell."
(Kiangsi province)
<Ch'iao Hsin> [Qiao2 Xin1] (1427-1502).
Pronounced \yow hyeen\ with \ow\ as in <how> and strong friction
on the \hy\.
<Ch'iao2> translates as, "lofty, high, eminent; proud."
<Hsin1> translates as, "new, fresh, recently; fuel."
(Kiangsi province)
<Chin4> [Jin4] (1369-1415) meaning, "Red" or
"Carnation," refering to a tincture.
Pronounced \dyeen\.
<Chin4> translates as, "a light red, carnation color."
(Kiangsi province)
<Ching4> [Jing4] (used 1400-1403, lived 1370-1480)
meaning, "Peace/Quiet."
Pronounced \dyeeng\.
<Ching4> translates as, "order, peace, quiet."
(Kiangsi province)
<Chung1> [Zhong1] (14th C) meaning, "Center/Middle."
Pronounced \djung\ with 'u' as in <put>.
<Chung1> translates as, "middle; within."
(Kiangsi province)
<Fang2 Te^2> [Fang2 De2] (1226-1289).
Pronounced \fahng d@\.
<Fang1> translates as, "a plank."
<Te^2> translates as, "to get; to effect."
(Kiangsi province)
<Hao4> [Hao4] (1090-1155) meaning, "Bright/Luminous" or "Splendid."
Pronounced \how\.
<Hao4> translates as, "white, bright, luminous, splendid."
(Kiangsi province)
<Hsien4 Chang1> [Xian4 Zhang1] (1428-1500).
Pronounced \hyen djahng\ with strong friction on the \hy\.
<Hsien4> translates as, "to offer, to give, to hand up to."
<Chang1> translates as, "section, chapter, document, essay; elegant;
rule, law; order; seal, stamp; badge, medal, manifest."
(Kwangtung province)
<I4> [Yi4] (12th C) meaning, "Ease/Leisure."
Pronounced \yee\.
<I4> translates as, "ease, leisure; escape, flee; to exceed; to
let loose; lust."
(Kiangsi province)
<I1 Ch'ing1> [Yi1 Qing1] (d1530, cs 1472) meaning, "Completely
Honest/Pure."
Pronounced \yee tyeeng\.
<I1> translates as, "one; alike; to unite; all of, the whole of; as
soon as."
<Ch'ing1> translates as, "pure, honest, clear, clean; to clear off;
quiet."
(Hunan province)
<Jo4 Shui3> [Ruo4 Shui3] (1466-1560, name used after 1504)
meaning, "Like Water."
Pronounced \Rwaw shway\. [14]
<Jo4> translates as, "to be as; if, as to, to follow, to be in
sympathy with, much."
<Shui3> translates as, "water, fluid."
(Kwangtung province)
<Kuang3> [Guang3] (1370-1480) meaning, "Large."
Pronounced \gwahng\.
<Kuang3> translates as, "broad, large, liberal."
(Kiangsi province)
<Kung1 Tsao3> [Gong1 Zao3] (1079-1154) meaning, "Graceful Gentleman."
Pronounced \gung dzow\ with 'u' as in <put> and 'ow' as in <how>.
<Kung1> translates as, "common, usual, public, official [as in
official business]; fair, just; male, duke, sir."
<Tsao3> translates as, "sea-weed; graceful."
(Kiangsi province)
<Lu4> [Lu4] (1466-1560, name used before 1504) meaning, "Dew."
Pronounced \loo\ with 'oo' as in <moon>.
<Lu4> translates as, "dew."
(Kuangtung province)
<Pi2> [Bi2] (12th C) meaning "Certain" or "Necessary."
Pronounced \bee\.
<Pi2> translates as, "certainly, surely, necessarily; must, have to,
be bound to."
(Kiangsi province)
<Pi2 Ta4> [Bi2 Da4] (1126-1204).
Pronounced \bee dah\.
<Pi2> translates as, "certainly, surely, necessarily; must, have to,
be bound to."
<Ta4> translates as, "great, noble, chief, highly, very."
(Kiangsi province)
<Po2 Ch'i2> [Bai2 Qi2] (d~1370).[23]
Pronounced \by tyee\ in which \by\ rhymes with <my>.
<Po2> translates as, "white, pure, clear; vain; in vain, for nothing."
<Ch'i2> translates as, "a precious stone, a curio."
(Kiangsi province)
<Shih2> [Shi2] (1416-1475) meaning, "Opportunity."
Pronounced \shR\.[14]
<Shih2> translates as, "time, epoch, situation, opportunity."
(Kiangsi province)
<Shih4 Nan2> [Shi4 Nan2] (fl ~1230) meaning, "Southern Generation."
Pronounced \shR nahn\.[14]
<Shih4> translates as, "an age; a generation of 30 years; the world."
<Nan2> translates as, "South."
(Kiangsi province)
<Shu1> [Shu1] (1204-1280) meaning, "Center."
Pronounced \shoo\ with 'oo' as in <moon>.
<Shu1> translates as, "a pivot, a hinge, an axis; center, hub."
(Kuangsi province)
<Ssu4 Ch'e^ng2> [Si4 Cheng2] (d1344) meaning, "Accomplished Heir."
Pronounced \szz tch@ng\.
<Ssu4> translates as, "to connect, to adopt, heirs, posterity,
hereafter."
<Ch'e^ng2> translates as, "to finish, to accomplish, to become, to
succeed."
(Kiangsi province)
<Ssu4 Te^2> [Si4 De2] (d1352) meaning, "Virtuous Heir."
Pronounced \szz d@\.
<Ssu4> translates as, "to connect, to adopt, heirs, posterity,
hereafter."
<Te^2> translates as, "moral excellence, goodness, power, quality,
virtue."
(Kiangsi province)
<Sung1> [Song1] (d1568, cs1505), the name of a mountain in Honan,
alluding to his size, importance, or both. (He was from Kiangsi, not
Honan).[24]
Pronounced \sung\ with 'u' as in <put>.
<Sung1> is the name of a mountain in Honan.
<Ti2> [Di2] (1081-1169) meaning, "Visitor." (Our sources do not explain
the reason for this name.)
Pronounced \dee\.
<Ti2> translates as, "to visit, to see face to face."
(Kiangsi province)
<T'ien1 Hsiang2> [Tian1 Xiang2] (1236-1283) meaning, "Felicitous
Heaven," referring to good fortune or omen.
Pronounced \teeng hyeng\ with strong friction on the \hy\.
<T'ien1> translates as, "heaven, sky, day weather, celestial, the
emperor, great, immense."
<Hsiang2> translates as, "felicitous, of good omen."
(Kiangsi province)
<T'ing1 Chien1> [Ting1 Jian1] (1050-1110).
Pronounced \teeng dyen\.
<T'ing1> translates as, "the audience hall; front court yard, front
yard; law court."
<Chien1> translates as, "firm, solid, durable."
(Kiangsi province)
<Tsao3> [Zao3] (d1155) meaning, "Graceful."
Pronounced \dzow\ with 'ow' as in <how>.
<Tsao3> translates as, "sea-weed; graceful."
(Kiangsi province)
<Tsu3 Ch'ien1> [Zu3 Qian1] (1137-1181) meaning, "Model of Respect."
Pronounced \dzoo tyen\ with 'oo' as in <moon>.
<Tsu3> translates as, "ancestors, to begin; a model."
<Ch'ien1> translates as, "respectful, yielding, modest, humble."
(Kuangsi province)
<Tzu1 She^ng3> [Zi1 Sheng3] (d1487).
Pronounced \dzz sh@ng\.
<Tzu1> translates as, "zeal, solicitude, effort, care."
<She^ng3> translates as, "a province; to spare."
(Kiangsi province)
<Yu:1> [Yu1] (1365-1444) meaning, "Sojourner" or "Resident."
Pronounced \yu:\.
<Yu:1> translates as, "to reside, to dwell; to sojourn; residence;
allegory; to receive."
(Kiangsi province)
<Yu:an2 Che^ng1> [Yuan2 Zheng1] (d~1506) meaning, "Propitious
Start/Basis," apparently given because he was a child prodigy.
Pronounced \ywahn dj@ng\.
<Yu:an2> translates as, "commencement, first cause, fundamental,
origin, principle; a dynasty name (c1279-1368)."
<Che^ng1> translates as, "lucky, propitious."
(Kiangsi province)
<Yu:an2 Chi2> [Yuan2] (d1430) meaning, "Fundamental Fortune."
Pronounced \ywahn dyee\.
<Yu:an2> translates as, "commencement, first cause, fundamental,
origin, principle; a dynasty name (c1279-1368)."
<Chi2> translates as, "fortunate, lucky."
(Hunan province)
<Yu:n2 Ch'ing2> [Yun2 Ching2] (12th C).
Pronounced \yu:n tyeeng\.
<Yu:n2> translates as, "clouds, fog."
<Ch'ing2> translates as, "minister."
(Ssuch'uan and Kiangsi provinces)
The following names were tzu:[7, 8, 20]
<Chang3 (or Ch'ang2) Yu:an2> [Zhang3 (or Chang2) Yuan2] (12th C AD).
In this case, one Chinese character has two pronunciations, each with its
own definition. Our information does not indicate which syllable was
intended.
Pronounced \djahng ywahn\ or \tchang ywahn\.
<Chang3> translates as, "increase, grow, senior, chief."
<Ch'ang2> translates as, "long (of time and/or space)."
<Yu:an2> translates as, "source of a river, fountainhead, a spring of
water; source, cause."
(Kiangsi province)
<Ching3 Hua2> [Jing3 Hua2] (14th C) meaning, "Beautiful Flower,"
more typical of a feminine name, but occassionally such names were used
for men to honor a patron or to recognize an artistic talent.
Pronounced \dyeeng hwah\.
<Ching3> translates as, "bright, beautiful; scenery, a view;
prospects, circumstances."
<Hua2> translates as, "flowers, flowery, verigated, China."
(Kiangsi province)
<Chu:n1 Shih2> [Jun1 Shi2] (1226-1289) meaning, "True Gentleman."
Pronounced \dyu:n shR\.[14]
<Chu:n1> translates as, "sovereign, prince, ruler, a gentleman, sir."
<Shih2> translates as, "real, solid, compact, hard, fruit of plants,
to fill."
(Kiangsi province)
<Ch'un2 Tao4> [Chun2 Dao4] (1416-1475) meaning, "Pure Path/Doctrine."
Pronounced \tchoon dow\ with 'oo' as in <moon> and 'ow' as in <how>.
<Ch'un2> translates as, "pure, unmixed, simple."
<Tao4> translates as, "road, path, way; doctrine; lead; talk."
(Kiangsi province)
<Chung4 Chi4> [Zhong4 Ji4] (1335-1378).
Pronounced \djung dyee\ with \u\ as in <put>.
<Chung4> translates as, "second; in the middle, arbitrate; second
month in a season; midsummer."
<Chi4> translates as, "course, order, to regulate, to arrange, to note
down."
(Kiangsi province)
<Chung4 Hsu:n2> [Zhong4 Xuan2] (d1359).
Pronounced \djung hyu:ahn\ with 'u' as in <put> and strong friction on
the \hy\.
<Chung4> translates as, "second; in the middle, arbitrate; second
month in a season; midsummer."
<Hsu:n2> translates as, "to enquire about."
(Kiangsi province)
<Hung2 Tao4> [Hong2 Dao4] (1126-1204).
Pronounced \hung dow\ with 'u' as in <put> and 'ow' as in <how>.
<Hung2> translates as, "an innundation, flood; vast, immense."
<Tao4> translates as, "road, path, way; doctrine; lead; talk."
(Kiangsi province)
<K'o3 Ta4> [Ke3 Da4] (1261-1341).
Pronounced \k@ dah\.
<K'o3> translates as, "convenient, proper; can, may, to permit."
<Ta4> translates as, "great, noble, chief, highly, very."
(Kiangsi province)
<Kuang1 Pi4> [Guang1 Bi4] (1090-1155) meaning, "Doubly Bright."
Pronounced \gwahng bee\.
<Kuang1> translates as, "light, bright, glory, naked, only."
<Pi4> translates as, "to help, to assist; a minister; double."
(Kiangsi province)
<Kuang1 Ta4> [Guang1 Da4] (1370-1480) meaning, "Glorious and Noble."
Pronounced \gwahng dah\.
<Kuang1> translates as, "light, bright, glory, naked, only."
<Ta4> translates as, "great, noble, chief, highly, very."
(Kiangsi province)
<Kung1 Fu3> [Gong1 Fu3] (1428-1500) apparently meaning,
"Official Beginning."
Pronounced \gung foo\ with 'u' as in <put>.
<Kung1> translates as, "common, usual, public, official [as in
official business]; fair, just; male, duke, sir."
<Fu3> translates as, "to begin; great, large; just now; a name."
(Kwangtung province)
<Kung1 Mao4> [Gong1 Mao4] (1204-1280).
Pronounced \gung mow\ with 'u' as in <put> and 'ow' as in <how>.
<Kung1> translates as, "common, usual, public, official [as in
official business]; fair, just; male, duke, sir."
<Mao4> translates as, "exuberant, flourishing, luxurious, profuse;
rich and splendid; to exert, strong."
(Kuangsi province)
<Li3 Shan4> [Li3 Shan4] (1236-1283).
Pronounced \lee shahn\.
<Li3> translates as, "shoes, to walk."
<Shan4> translates as, "good, virtuous; to know, apt at; to approve."
(Kiangsi province)
<Lu3 Chih2> [Lu3 Zhi2] (1050-1110).
Pronounced \loo djee\ with 'oo' as in <moon>.
<Lu3> translates as, "stupid, dull; course, rough, rash, rude."
<Chih2> translates as, "straight, honest, upright, only."
(Kiangsi province)
<Min2 Chai2> [Min2 Zhai2] (1466-1560).
Pronounced \meen djy\ with 'y' as in <my>.
<Min2> translates as, "the people, the mass, the common multitude."
<Chai2> translates as, "a marsh, to enrich, moist, slippery, to soak,
kindness, favor."
(Kwangtung province)
<Pai2 Ch'ing1> [Bo2 Qing1] (1247-1331) meaning, "Honest/Pure Uncle."[23]
Pronounced \by tcheeng\ with 'y' as in <my> or \baw tcheeng\
<Pai2> translates as, "father's elder brother; a senior; an earl; a
leader."
<Ch'ing1> translates as, "pure, honest, clear, clean; to clear off;
quiet."
(Kiangsi province)
<Pai2 Kung1> [Bo2 Gong1] (1137-1181) meaning, "Respected Uncle."[23]
Pronounced \by gung\ with 'y' as in <my> and 'u' as in <put>, or
\baw gung\.
<Pai2> translates as, "father's elder brother; a senior; an earl; a
leader."
<Kung1> translates as, "respect, venerate, revere."
(Kiangsi province)
<Po2 We^n1> [Bai2 Wen1] (d~1370).[25]
Pronounced \by w@n\ with 'y' as in <my>, or \baw w@n\
<Po2> translates as, "white, pure, clear; vain; in vain, for nothing."
<We^n1> translates as, "lukewarm; to warm; genial; mild."
(Kiangsi province)
<Shih4 Ch'i4> [Shi4 Qi4] (1365-1444) meaning, "Extraordinary Scholar."
Pronounced \shR tchee\.[14]
<Shih4> translates as, "a learned man; a scholar; an officer."
<Ch'i2> translates as, "extraodinary, marvelous, rare; strange,
unusual; odd number; surprise."
(Kiangsi province)
<Sung4 Jui4> [Song4 Rui4] (1236-1283) meaning, "Valued Sung Dynasty
Man," given because he served his emperorer exceptionally well.
Pronounced \sung Rway\ with \u\ as in <put>.[14]
<Sung4> translates as, "a feudal state; part of a dynasty name
(420-478 or 479; 960-1279)."
<Jui4> translates as, "precious, auspicious."
(Kiangsi province)
<Ta4 She^n1> [Da4 Shen1] (1369-1415).
Pronounced \dah sh@n\.
<Ta4> translates as, "great, noble, chief, highly, very."
<She^n1> translates as, "large girdle, those who wear it; the gentry."
(Kiangsi province)
<T'ai4 I1> [Tai4 Yi1] (d1352) meaning, "Mark of Excellence."
Pronounced \ty yee\ with the first 'y' as in <my> and the second 'y'
as in <yes>.
<T'ai4> translates as, "excessive; very; supreme; epithet of very
distinguished persons."
<I1> translates as, "cyclical character, to mark; second, second
grade, grade B."
(Kiangsi province)
<Te^2 Yu:an3 (or Yu:an4)> [De2 Yuan3 or (Yuan4)] (d1164) meaning,
"Distant or Thrust-aside Virtue," a name given while he was exiled for
political reasons, and apparently continued in use after his return. One
of
these Chinese characters has two slightly different pronunciations, each
with its own meaning.
Pronounced \d@ ywahn\
<Te^2> translates as, "moral excellence, goodness, power, quality,
virtue."
<Yu:an3> translates as, "far off; distant."
<Yu:an4> translates as, "remove, thrust aside."
(Hunan province between 1137-1155)
<Ting1 Hsiang2> [Ting1 Xiang2] (d~1506).
Pronounced \teeng hyeng\ with strong friction on the \hy\.
<T'ing1> translates as, "the court, the audience chamber."
<Hsiang2> translates as, "felicitous, of good omen."
(Kiangsi province)
<T'ing1 Hsiu4> [Ting1 Xiu4] (1427-1502).
Pronounced \teeng hyoh\ with strong friction on the \hy\.
<T'ing1> translates as, "the court, the audience chamber."
<Hsiu4> translates as, "ripening; luxuriant; beautiful, elegant."
(Kiangsi province)
<Ts'ao3 Lu2> [Cao3 Lu2] (1247-1331) meaning, "Grass Cottage," given
because he retired to such a dwelling.
Pronounced \tsow loo\ \tsow loo\ with 'ow' as in <how> and 'oo' as
in <moon>.
<Ts'ao3> translates as, "grass, straw, plants with herbaceous stems;
careless, rough, hasty; rough
<Lu2> translates as, "hut, cottage, a thatched hovel."
(Kiangsi province)
<Tz'u4 Wang4> [Ci4 Wang4] (d1344).[13]
Pronounced \tszz wahng\.
<Tzu4> translates as, "order, series, second, inferior."[13]
<Wang4> translates as, "to look forward, to hope, to expect, towards,
the full moon."
(Kiangsi province)
<Wei2 Chung1> [Wei2 Zhong1] (d1568 cs1505).
Pronounced \way djung\ with 'u' as in <put>.
<Wei2> translates as, "only, alone; to think of, thought; but; an
initial or conjoining particle."
<Chung1> translates as, "middle; within."
(Kiangsi province)
<Wu3 I4> [Wu3 Yi4] (12th C) meaning, "Without Excess."
Pronounced \woo yee\ with 'oo' as in <moon>.
<Wu3> translates as, "not; nothing; without."
<I4> translates as, "ease, leisure; escape, flee; to exceed;
to let loose; lust."
(Kiangsi province)
<Yen4 Chang1> [Yan4 Zhang1] (1079-1154 and a second man who d1155)
meaning, "Refined Rule," or "Symbol of Accomplishment."
Pronounced \yahn djahng\.
<Yen4> translates as, "elegant, refined, accomplished."
<Chang1> translates as, "section, chapter, document, essay; elegant;
rule, law; order; seal, stamp; badge, medal, manifest."
(Kiangsi province)
<Yu4 Ch'ing1> [You4 Qing1] (1247-1331) meaning,
"Child-like Honesty/Purity."
Pronounced \yoe tcheeng\ with 'oe' as in <Joe>.
<Yu4> translates as, "young, underage; children."
<Ch'ing1> translates as, "pure, honest, clear, clean; to clear off;
quiet."
(Kiangsi province)
<Yu:an2 Ming2> [Yuan2 Ming2] (1466-1560) meaning,
"Bright/Intelligent Beginning."
Pronounced \ywahn meeng\.
<Yu:an2> translates as, "commencement, first cause, fundamental,
origin, principle; a dynasty name (c1279-1368)."
<Ming2> translates as, "bright, light, to explain, intelligent;
dynasty name (1368-1646)."
(Kuangtung province)
The following were hao:[7, 8, 20]
<Ching1 Kui1> [Jing1 Gui1] (1261-1341).
Pronounced \dyeeng gway\ with 'g' as in <good>.
<Ching1> translates as, "warp in a loom, veins or arteries, meridians
of longitude, to pass through, to regulate, canonical, already."
<Kui1> translates as, "to return, to send back, to restore; to belong
to, to give; to divide; to converge."
(Kiangsi province)
<Ch'ing1 Li2 San4 Je^n2> [Qing1 Li2 San4 Ren2] (d1352).
Pronounced \yeeng lee sahn zh@n\ where 'zh' is pronounced with the
lips rounded as when pronouncing \w\.
<Ch'ing1> translates as, "green, blue, black, grey, the white of an
egg, a tablet."
<Li2> translates as, "a kind of bramble, thistles."
<San4> translates as, "come loose, fall apart; to scatter, to
disperse, to separate, to dismiss, powder."
<Je^n2> translates as, "a man, a person."
(Kiangsi province)
<Ch'ung1 Hsu:1 Tzu3> [Chong1 Xu1 Zi3] (1335-1378).
Pronounced \tchung hyoo dzz\ with 'u' as in <put>, strong friction
on the \hy\, and 'oo' as in <moon>.
<Ch'ung1> translates as, "to rush at; to dash against."
<Hsu:1> translates as, "empty; vacant; vain; false; weak; useless."
<Tzu3> translates as, "boy; son; sir; seed; a suffix; a cyclical
character."
(Kiangsi province)
<Hsi1 T'ang2 Hsiao2 She^ng1> [Xi1 Tang2 Xiao2 Sheng1] (12th C).
Pronounced \hyee tahng hyow sh@ng\ with strong friction on the
\hy\ and 'ow' as in <how>.
<Hsi1> translates as, "small stream, brook; a current."
<T'ang2> translates as, "a hall, a court, a church, a residence, an
official title."
<Hsiao2> translates as, "to learn; to study."
<She^ng1> translates as, "to bear, to produce, to come forth, to live,
life, unripe, unpolished, unacquainted, unusual."
(Kiangsi province)
<Lin2 Ch'uan1> [Lin2 Chuan1] (1247-1331) meaning, "Like a River."
Pronounced \leen tchwahn\.
<Lin2> translates as, "condescend, look down sympathizingly; about;
during; like."
<Ch'uan1> translates as, "river, stream; flood; to flow."
(Kiangsi province)
<Lung2 Hsi1 Hsien1 She^ng1> [Long2 Xi1 Xian1 Sheng1] (1079-1154)
apparently meaning, "River Dragon Teacher"
Pronounced \lung hyee hyen sh@ng\ with 'u' as in <put> and strong
friction on the \hy\.
<Lung2> translates as, "a dragon, imperial, glorious."
<Hsi1> translates as, "small stream, brook; a current."
<Hsien1> translates as, "before, former, to precede."
<She^ng1> translates as, "to hear, to produce, to come forth, to live,
life, unripe, unpolished,
(Kiangsi province)
<T'ai4 Hsu:an2 Tzu3> [Tai4 Xuan2 Zi3] (d1344).
Pronounced \ty hyu:ahn dzz\ with 'y' as in <my> and strong friction on
the \hy\.
<T'ai4> translates as, "excessive; very; supreme; epithet of very
distinguished persons."
<Hsu:an2> translates as, "dark, profound, abstruse, mysterious."
<Tzu3> translates as, "boy; son; sir; seed; a suffix; a cyclical
character."
(Kiangsi province)
<Tung1 Hua2 Tzu3> [Dong1 Hua2 Zi3] (d1359).
Pronounced \dung hwah dzz\ with 'u' as in <put>.
<Tung1> translates as, "East, the place of honor, the place of the
master; master, owner, host."
<Hua2> translates as, "flowers, flowery, verigated, China."
<Tzu3> translates as, "boy; son; sir; seed; a suffix; a cyclical
character."
(Kiangsi province)
<Tung1 Lai2> [Dong1 Lai2] (1137-1181).
Pronounced \dung ly\ with 'u' as in <put> and 'y' as in <my>.
<Tung1> translates as, "East, the place of honor, the place of the
master; master, owner, host."
<Lai2> translates as, "goosefoot; weed."
(Kiangsi province)
<Tung1 Li3> [Dong1 Li3] (1365-1444) meaning, "Hometown/Village
Master," apparently because he was a high-ranking official in or from a
particular town.
Pronounced \dung lee\ with 'u' as in <put>.
<Tung1> translates as, "East, the place of honor, the place of the
master; master, owner, host."
<Li3> translates as, "village, neighborhood, hometown; a unit of
distance equal to about a third of a mile (about half a kilometer)."
(Kiangsi province)
<We^n2 Shan1> [Wen2 Shan1] (1236-1283) meaning, "We^n2 (family
name) Mountain," apparently because he was a high-ranking person from
this particular family.
Pronounced \w@n shahn\.
<We^n2> translates as, "strokes, lines, variegated; genteel, stylish,
scholarly, a classifier of cash."
<Shan1> translates as, "mountain, wall."
(Kiangsi province)
<Yu:2 Ch'ung1> [Yu2 Chong1] (1126-1204) meaning, "Self-sufficient"
Pronounced \yu: tchung\ with 'u' as in <put>.
<Yu:2> translates as, "I, me; give; exempt from disciplinary action."
<Ch'ung1> translates as, "ample, full, sufficient; pose as; serve as,
act as; to fill, to satisfy, to stuff up, to banish."
(Kiangsi province)
<Yu:n2 Chuang1> [Yun2 Zhuang1] (1261-1341).
Pronounced \yu:n djwahng\.
<Yu:n2> translates as, "clouds, fog."
<Chuang1> translates as, "agriculture, a farm, a village; sedate,
grave."
(Kiangsi province)
The following were sobriquets or nicknames:[7, 8, 20, 22]
<Hsi1 Yang2> [Xi1 Yang2] (1365-1444) meaning,
"Western Yang (his family name)."
Pronounced \hyee yahng\ with strong friction on the \hy\.
<Hsi1> translates as, "West."
<Yang2> translates as, "poplar (tree)."
(Kiangsi province)
<Hung2 Fo2 Tzu3> [Hong2 Fo2 Zi3] (used ca. 1120's; lived 1090-1155)
meaning, "Buddha Hung (his family name)." Common people called him by
this name when he organized relief for sufferers of a great flood, even
diverting supplies that were otherwise destined for Court.
Pronounced \hung faw dzz\ with 'u' as in <put>.
<Hung2> translates as, "an innundation, flood; vast, immense."
<Fo2> translates as, "Buddha, Buddhism, a statue of Buddha."
<Tzu3> translates as, "boy; son; sir; seed; a suffix; a cyclical
character."
(Kiangsi province and Hsiu-chou)
<Po2 Sha1 Hsien1 She^ng1> [Bai2 Sha1 Xian1 Sheng1] (1428-1500)
meaning, "teacher of/from Po Sha (his hometown)."[25]
Pronounced \baw shah hyen sh@ng\ with strong friction on the \hy\
<Po2> or <Pai2> translates as, "white, pure, clear; vain; in vain, for
nothing."
<Sha1> translates as, "sand, granulated; Buddhist."
<Hsien1> translates as, "before, former, to precede."
<She^ng1> translates as, "to bear, to produce, to come forth, to live,
life, unripe, unpolished, unacquainted, unusual."
(Kwangtung province)
<Su1 We^ng1> [Su1 Weng1] (12th C) meaning, "Venerable Su (his family
name)."
Pronounced \soo w@ng\ with 'oo' as in <moon>.
<Su1> translates as, "species of thyme; to revive, to cheer up."
<We^ng1> translates as, "an old man, venerable sir."
(Kiangsi province)
<T'ieh2 Kuan1Yu:2> [Tie2 Guan1 Yu2] (14th C) meaning, "Iron Cap
Philosopher."
Pronounced \tyeh gwahn yu:\.
<T'ieh2> translates as, "iron."
<Kuan1> translates as, "a cap, a crown, a crest; to excel."
<Yu:2> translates as, "I, me; give; exempt from disciplinary action."
(Kiangsi province)
You also asked for examples of Chinese heraldry. However, as far as we can
tell, period Han did not have anything like inheritable coats-of-arms for
individuals or families. Apparently they also did not have anything
analogous to Japanese family mon.
You might choose to use arms in the Society regardless. Many Societyfolk
use arms even though their personas would not have done so. Whether you use
arms or not depends on how you think about authenticity and your persona.
You can find a few thoughts on this issue in an article we've posted on the
web:
What Do I Use for Arms if my Persona Wouldn't Have Used Arms?
http://www.s-gabriel.org/faq/nonheraldic.html
If you decide to design arms, there are a few sources you might want to
investigate for design elements:[27]
Han used banners and standards that identified military units and,
occassionally, commanding officers (as officers, rather than as specific
individuals). We have not seen a copy, but _Wu Pei Chih_ is described as a
gun powder treatise, published in 1621, that includes descriptions of
then-centuries-old military traditions, including military standards.[18]
Apparently some military standards were light colored backgrounds upon
which a single, red written Chinese character was displayed.[18] You might
want to consider something similar using your persona's family name.
However, by precedent the College of Arms does not register arms that have
only an abstract symbol, such as a letter or musical note, for charges.
Han have used many graphical symbols since ancient times. Artists do not
necessarily use symbols consistently, but most period Han would immediately
associate certain depictions with a symbol and the symbol's meaning. For
example, a blue dragon, red phoenix, white tiger, and black tortoise have
respectively symbolized the eastern, southern, western, and northern
celestial quadrants for at least 3000 years.[19]
We hope this letter is useful. Please write us again if you have any
questions or need Chinese written characters for one of our examples or
suggestions. Arval Benicoeur, Adelaide de Beaumont, Talan Gwynek,
Tangwystyl verch Morgant Glasvryn, Ursula Georges, and Aryanhwy merch
Catmael assisted in researching and writing this letter.
For the Academy,
Yin Mei Li
18 September 2001
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Endnotes and References
[1] Northern Sung [Song] (960-1127), Southern Sung [Song] (1127-1279), Liao
[Liao] (916-1125), Western Hsia [Xia] (1038-1227), Chin [Jin] (1115-1234),
Yu:an [Yuan] (1279-1368), and Ming [Ming] (1368-1644).
[2] Our name resources are primarily biographical dictionaries. Most
of the men listed in them became prominent through government,
military, or academic service. In China for most of period and modern
times, such a career typically included long service or study in
locations far from an individual's hometown. Most of these men were
from the upper classes, but China's Imperial bureaucracies allowed
lower social classes to advance, and occasionaly recruited from such
classes. [7, 8, 12]
[3] Khitan Tartars ruled during the Liao Dynasty, Jurchin Turks ruled
during the Chin Dynasty, and Mongols ruled during the Yuan Dynasty.
[4] Romanizing Chinese homophones also results in a Society registration
byproduct possibly unique to names that are natively written with Chinese
characters. Such a name is registered in its transliterated form, and the
intent was to register one unique name. However, the same string of sounds
can often represent two or more very different Asian names. Hence, the
registered name effectively includes and protects all same-sounding names,
at least under the same romanization convention.
[5] Hucker, Charles O. China's Imperial Past. Stanford: Stanford
University Press: Stanford (1976), pp438-439.
[6] Chao, Sheau-yueh J. In Search of Your Asian Roots, Genealogical
Research on Chinese Surnames. Clearfield Co.\Geneological Publishing Co.:
Baltimore, Maryland (2000). Uses modified Wade-Giles, but cross-references
Pinyin.
[7] Giles, Herbert A. A Chinese Biographical Dictionary, in two volumes.
Literature House: Taipei, Taiwan (1962). Republication of original edition,
Bernard Quaritch; Kelly Walsh Ltd: London; Shaghai (1898). Uses Wade-Giles
[8] Goodrich, L. Carrington & Chaoying Fang (editors). Dictionary of Ming
Biography 1368-1644, The Ming Biographical Project of the Association for
Asian Studies, in two volumes. Columbia University Press: New York and
London (1976). ISBN: 0-231-03801-1. Uses modified Wade-Giles
[9] Lin Yutang. My Country and My People. John Day Company: New York
(1935).
[10] Needham, Joseph. Science and Civilization in China, about 15 volumes.
New York: Cambridge University Press (1954-). Especially, but not
exclusively, The Social Background. Part 1: Language and Logic in
Traditional China, Vol 7, by Christoph Harbsmeier.
[11] Modern Chinese often conform with Western convention by writing their
family name last, when they live among or frequently deal with Westerners.
However, within China and Taiwan, they usually conform with traditional
Chinese conventions and write their family name first. [for example, 5, 9]
[12] Han changed and added names throughout their lives for specific
reasons. Apparently Han were least likely to change a family name because
the family was much more important than an individual. [6, 7, 8, 9, 10]
[13] In Wade-Giles romanization, the 'u' in <tzu> (and in <ssu> and <tz'u>)
should be written with a breve above it. A <breve> is a rounded, inverted
hachek (or a crescent-like shape).
[14] This Chinese \R\ is similar to one of two common American \r\
pronunciations. Many Americans pronounce it with the tip of the tongue
curled up and back, almost touching the roof of the mouth. This
pronunciation is similar to the Chinese sound that we've represented by \R\.
To make a good approximation to \R\, just curl your tongue back a bit
further than normal and increase the friction; the result should sound
almost like \zh\.
[15] Cowie, A. P., and A. Evison. Concise English-Chinese Chinese-English
Dictionary. Oxford University Press: Oxford (1986). Uses Pinyin and very
small font. Available in most bookstores with translation dictionaries.
[16] Weiger, L. Chinese Characters: their origin, etymology, history,
classification, and signification. A thorough study from Chinese documents,
translated into English by L. Davrout, 2nd ed. Paragon Book Reprint and
Dover Publications: New York (1965). ISBN 0?486?21321?8. Reprint of
original 2nd ed. published by Catholic Mission Press, 1927. Uses modified
Wade?Giles and includes a dictionary by romanized syllable and by Chinese
written character. Available in many libraries.
[17] McCawley, James D. The Eater's Guide to Chinese Characters.
University of Chicago Press: Chicago (1984). Includes a pronunciation guide
geared to Pinyin romanization.
[18] Peers, C.J. "Medieval Chinese Armies 1260-1520," artist David Sque,
editor Martin Windrow. In Men-at-Arms Series, number 251. Osprey Military:
London (1992), p6. Also see pp40, 45-47, and plates E and H for military
standard depictions and information based on _Wu Pei Chih_.
[19] Williams, C. A. S. Chinese Symbolism and Art Motifs, 3rd revised ed.
Tuttle: Rutland, Vermont (1989).
[20] Unless otherwise indicated, dates listed in parentheses indicate the
name bearer's lifetime. Most of these names were probably given or adopted
upon graduating chih-shih or reaching adulthood.
[22] Since ancient times, descriptive bynames are typically combined with
family names rather than with given names.
[23] Subject Chinese character is romanized as <Pai> by Giles [7], and in
older dictionaries that use Wade-Giles romanizations. However, this same
Chinese character is usually now romanized as <Po> [Bo]. We based
pronunciation on Giles' romanization because he authored the source we used
for this name.
[24] Apparently subject Chinese character has been used only for this
mountain's name long enough that modern dictionaries no longer include other
definitions. We do not currently know if this character had an additional
or different definition in period.
[25] Subject Chinese character is romanized as <Po> by Giles[7], and in
older dictionaries that use Wade-Giles romanizations. However, this same
Chinese character is usually now romanized as <Pai> [Bai]. We based
pronunciation on Giles' romanization because he authored the source we used
for this name.
[26] Subject Chinese character is romanized as <Yu2> by Giles[7], and in
older dictionaries that use Wade-Giles romanizations. However, this same
Chinese character is usually now romanized as <Yu:2> [You2]. We based
pronunciation on Giles' romanization because he authored the source we used
for this name.
[27] If you choose to register a very Chinese-looking device, you also need
to keep in mind that the design must comply with the College of Arms'
European-based heraldry rules. For example, Society heralds must be able to
describe it using our blazon language. Other Society members with Asian
personas have had difficulties in this area. These people sometimes prefer
to use an Oriental design without registering it.
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Correction, 2 Aug 2003, Arval: Removed note [21], which duplicated
[23] and was not referenced anywhere.