China: Emperor Ku (c. 2436-2366 BCE), third of the legendary 'Five Emperors'. Han Dynasty mural, 151 CE. Emperor Ku, also known as Di Ku, Gaoxin or Gaoxin Shi, was a legendary ruler and descendant of the Yellow Emperor. Some certain succeeding dynasties claim ancestral ties to him, though whether he is a semi-historical or fantastical figure is debated. He titled himself 'God-emperor' when he ascended, and was said to have travelled seasonally by riding a dragon in spring and summer, and a horse in autumn and winter. He was also said to have invented several musical instruments and songs.
The Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors (Sanhuang wudi; Wade–Giles: San-huang wu-ti) are a blend of mythological rulers and cultural heroes from ancient China dating loosely from the period from BCE. This represents the earliest period of recorded Chinese history and is regarded as largely mythological. In chronological terms it precedes the Xia Dynasty ( BCE). There are several variations as to who constitute the various Three Sovereigns and Seven Emperors. According to the Diwang Xishi or Record of Imperial Lineages, also called the 'Sovereign Series' in English, the Three Sovereigns were, in chronological sequence: Fuxi, Shennong and Huangdi. The same source lists the Five Emperors, again chronologically, as: Shaohao, Zhuanxu, Gaoxin, Yao and Shun.
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Photo credit: © Pictures From History / Alamy / Afripics
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