China is one of the world's four countries of great ancient civilizations, its dynasties scattered numerous. Ancient China was a period of fantastic stories. Now let’s learn something about Shun., the legendary leader of ancient China.

Shun (Chinese: 舜; pinyin: Shùn) or Di Shun (帝舜) and also known as Chonghua (重華) was a 23rd-22nd century BC legendary leader of ancient China, among the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors. Shun's half-century of rule was said considered very long in terms of Chinese history.

Shun's ancestral name (姓) is Yao (姚), his clan name (氏) is Youyu (有虞), his given name is Chonghua (重華). Shun is sometimes referred to as the Great Shun (大舜) or as Yu Shun (虞舜). The "Yu" in "Yu Shun" was the name of the fiefdom, which Shun received from Yao; thus, providing him the title of "Shun of Yu").

Life of Shun

According to traditional sources, Shun received the mantle of leadership from Emperor Yao at the age of 53, and then died at the age of 100 years. Before his death Shun was recorded as relinquishing his throne to Yu: an event which supposedly eventuated in the establishment of the Xia Dynasty. Shun's capital was located in Puban (蒲阪), presently known as Shanxi).