Tang Xuanzong |
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Emperor of Tang Dynasty | |||||||||||||||||
Reign | 8 September 712 – 12 August 756 | ||||||||||||||||
Predecessor | Emperor Ruizong | ||||||||||||||||
Successor | Emperor Suzong | ||||||||||||||||
Born | 8 September 685 | ||||||||||||||||
Died | 3 May 762 | (aged 76)||||||||||||||||
Empress |
Empress Wang Empress Zhenshun Empress Yuanxian (Consort Yang Guipin, posthumously promoted and renamed) |
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Concubine | Consort Yang Guifei and others | ||||||||||||||||
Issue |
Li Cong, Emperor Fengtian Li Ying, Crown Prince Li Heng, Emperor Suzong Li Yan, Prince of Di Li Yao, Prince of E Li Wan, Crown Prince Jinggong Li Ju, Prince of Guang Li Yi, Prince Dao of Xia Li Sui, Prince of Yi Li Jiao, Prince of Ying Li Min, Prince Ai of Huai Li Lin, Prince of Yong Li Mao, Prince of Shou Li Bin, Prince of Yan Li Qi, Prince of Sheng Li Huan, Prince of Ji Li Huang, Prince of Xin Li Ci, Prince of Yi Li Gui, Prince of Chen Li Gong, Prince of Feng Li Tian, Prince of Heng Li Xuan, Prince of Liang Li Jing, Prince Ai of Bian and 29 daughters |
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House | Tang (唐) | ||||||||||||||||
Father | Emperor Ruizong of Tang | ||||||||||||||||
Mother | Consort Dou |
Full name | |
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Family name: Lǐ (李) Given name: Longji (隆基) |
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Era dates | |
Xiāntiān (先天) 712–713 Kāiyuán (開元) 713–741 Tiānbǎo (天寶) 742–756 |
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Posthumous name | |
Short: Emperor Ming (明皇) Full: Emperor Zhidao Dasheng Daming Xiao (至道大聖大明孝皇帝) |
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Temple name | |
Xuánzōng (玄宗) |
Emperor Xuanzong of Tang | |||||||
"Xuanzong of Tang" in Chinese characters
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Chinese | 唐玄宗 | ||||||
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Literal meaning | "Mysterious Ancestor of the Tang" | ||||||
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Tang Minghuang | |||||||
Chinese | 唐明皇 | ||||||
Literal meaning | "Bright Emperor of the Tang" | ||||||
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Li Longji | |||||||
Chinese | 李隆基 | ||||||
Literal meaning | (personal name) | ||||||
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Transcriptions | |
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Standard Mandarin | |
Hanyu Pinyin | Táng Xuánzōng |
Transcriptions | |
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Standard Mandarin | |
Hanyu Pinyin | Táng Mínghuáng |
Transcriptions | |
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Standard Mandarin | |
Hanyu Pinyin | Lǐ Lōngjī |
Emperor Xuanzong of Tang (8 September 685 – 3 May 762), also commonly known as Emperor Ming of Tang, personal name Li Longji, also known as Wu Longji (Chinese: 武隆基) from 690 to 705, was the seventh emperor of the Tang dynasty in China, reigning from 712 to 756CE. His reign of 43 years was the longest during the Tang Dynasty. In the early half of his reign he was a diligent and astute ruler. Ably assisted by capable chancellors like Yao Chong, Song Jing and Zhang Yue, he was credited with bringing Tang China to a pinnacle of culture and power.
Emperor Xuanzong, however, was blamed for over-trusting Li Linfu, Yang Guozhong and An Lushan during his late reign, with Tang's golden age ending in the Anshi Rebellion. This marked the beginning of the Tang dynasty's decline.
Li Longji was born at the Tang Dynasty eastern capital Luoyang in 685, during the first reign of his father Emperor Ruizong (Li Dan) – but at that time, Emperor Ruizong's mother Empress Dowager Wu (later known as Wu Zetian), not Emperor Ruizong, was in actual control of power as empress dowager and regent. Li Longji was the third son of Emperor Ruizong, and his mother was Emperor Ruizong's concubine Consort Dou, which is a high rank one. In 687, as the emperor's son, he was created the Prince of Chu. It was said that he was handsome as a child, and was talented in music. He had two older brothers – Li Chengqi, born of Emperor Ruizong's wife Empress Liu, and Li Chengyi (李成義), as well as three younger brothers – Li Longfan (李隆範), Li Longye (李隆業), and Li Longti (李隆悌). He has two full younger sisters, Princess Jinxian (金仙公主) and Princess Yuzhen (玉真公主), who later become Taoism nuns.