The Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors (Chinese: 三皇五帝; pinyin: Sānhuáng wǔdì; Wade–Giles: San-huang wu-ti) were a group of semi-mythological rulers and culture heroes from ancient China during the period circa 2852 BC to 2070 BC. This period preceded the Xia Dynasty.

In myth, the three sovereigns were demigods who used their abilities to help create mankind and impart essential skills and knowledge. The five emperors were exemplary sages possessed of great moral character.

Variations of the Myth

Depending on the source, there are many variations of who classifies as the three sovereigns or the five emperors. There are six to seven known variations. Many of the sources listed below were written from much later dynasties.

The three sovereigns may therefore refer to Fuxi (伏羲), Nüwa (女媧), Shennong (神農), Suiren (燧人), or even the Yellow Emperor (黄帝).

The Three Sovereigns

The Three Sovereigns, sometimes known as the Three August Ones, were said to be god-kings or demigods who used their magical powers to improve the lives of their people. Because of their lofty virtue, they lived to a great age and ruled over a period of great peace. The Three Sovereigns are ascribed various identities in different Chinese historical texts. The Yellow Emperor is supposedly the ancestor of all Huaxia race of people. The Mausoleum of the Yellow Emperor was established in Shaanxi Province to commemorate the ancestry legend.