Historical & Mythological Analysis
Zhuanxu: Second of the Five Emperors, recorded in Records of the Grand Historian as grandson of Huangdi. The dragon-tiger clam tomb at Puyang Xishuipo (4500 BCE) reflects his clan’s astronomical beliefs. His sagacity first appeared in Dai Liji·Wude.
Divine Origins
- Stellar worship: Oracle bone script “顼” linked to “black bird” sacrifices
- Totem evolution: Shan Hai Jing describes him “riding dragons across seas”
- Religious reform: Guoyu·Chu Yu records “Severing the Heavenly Connection”
- Taoist divinity: Listed as “Northern Xuanwu Emperor” in Yunji Qiqian
Key Legends
- Heaven-Earth Separation (Shangshu·Lvxing):
- Ordered Zhongli to end divine-human mingling
- Established professional shamans for rituals
- Laid foundation for ancient Chinese religion
- Gonggong’s Rebellion (Huainanzi):
- Fought Gonggong for throne
- Gonggong’s collision caused celestial tilt
- Ordered Yu to control floods
- Calendar Creation (Records of the Grand Historian):
- Developed Zhuanxu Calendar using Big Dipper
- Instituted spring equinox as new year
- Standardized agricultural and sacrificial cycles
Family Genealogy
Huangdi ── Changyi ── Zhuanxu
└─ Xuanxiao ── Jiao Ji ── Ku ── Yao
└─ Xie (Shang ancestor)Literary Reflections
- Historical record: Records of the Grand Historian·Wudi Benji
- Philosophical interpretation: Xunzi·Feixiang “Zhuanxu’s masked face”
- Mythological novel: Liezi·Tang Wen Gonggong’s collision
- Modern adaptation: Animated series China’s Mythical Tales (2023)
Cultural Heritage
Zhuanxu Memorial Ceremony: Neihuang, Henan (National Intangible Cultural Heritage)
- Rituals: “Yin Sacrifice” tradition from Zhou Li
- Local customs:
- Annual “Eight-Row Dance” on 18th day of 3rd lunar month
- Making “Black Bird Cakes” with black bean filling
- Global recognition: Zhuanxu Calendar inscribed in GIAHS
Business Culture Significance
- Institutional innovation: “Heaven-Earth Separation” for corporate structure
- Crisis management: Risk handling lessons from Gonggong incident
- Time management: Calendar system inspiration for supply chain
- Case study: Toyota’s “Kanban” system traces to Zhuanxu’s calendar
Last Updated on 1 day