Social Sciences in China (Chinese Edition)

No.11, 2015

 

The Derivation of Yellow Emperor’s Identity in Pre-Qin Discourse and the Development of Related Documents

(Abstract)

 

Liu Quanzhi

 

The mention of Yellow Emperor in pre-Qin schools of thought start with legends and sayings of the Yellow Emperor handed down from ancient times. Stories told of the Yellow Emperor during the Spring and Autumn Period focused mainly on virtuous conduct and military expeditions, both of which are combined in the “Chang Mai Jie” chapter of the Yizhoushu (逸周书·尝麦解). At the same time, the war between Yellow Emperor and Emperor Yan became a confrontation between the Yellow Emperor and the mythical tribal leader Chiyou. This was because of the dissemination of the virtues of Emperor Yan and the integration of his descendants with those of the Yellow Emperor. Subsequently, stories of the Yellow Emperor spread widely during the Warring States Period. His sayings originate in “the works of the early kings,” which made Yellow Emperor into a representative of the Dao or Way of the early kings. During the Warring States period, the Yellow Emperor first appeared in the content of sayings. This figure then became an independent discourse entity, laying down precepts as a “master.” On this basis, his identity varied between that of a master and that of a disciple, leaning toward that of a disciple. Most of the figures who engaged in dialogue with him were fictitious. At this point, the Yellow Emperor had been completely transformed into a spokesman for each of the many schools of thought of the era.