List of emperors of the Ming dynasty

Emperor of the Great Ming
Emperor of the Great Ming
大明皇帝
Imperial
	First to reign; Hongwu Emperor; 23 January 1368 – 24 June 1398
Details
Style	His Imperial Majesty (陛下, 皇上, 萬歲)
First monarch	Hongwu Emperor (Ming dynasty); Hongguang Emperor (Southern Ming);
Last monarch	Chongzhen Emperor (Ming dynasty); Yongli Emperor (Southern Ming);
Formation	1368 (Ming dynasty); 1644 (Southern Ming);
Abolition	1644 (Ming dynasty); 1662 (Southern Ming);
Residence	Ming Palace, Nanjing; Forbidden City, Beijing; Varies according to the Southern Ming regimes;
Appointer	Hereditary

The Ming dynasty was a dynasty of China that existed from 1368 to 1644, succeeding the Mongol-led Yuan dynasty and falling amidst much political turmoil to the short-lived Shun dynasty. Sixteen emperors ruled over the whole of China proper spanning 276 years. Following the collapse of the Ming dynasty in 1644, members of the Ming imperial family continued to rule parts of southern China until 1662; this regime is known as the Southern Ming in historiography.

Emperors

Emperor (birth–death)	Reign^[1]	Personal name	Era name	Posthumous name	Temple name^[a]
Hongwu Emperor 洪武帝 (21 October 1328 – 24 June 1398)	23 January 1368 – 24 June 1398	Zhū Yuánzhāng 朱元璋	Hóngwǔ 洪武	Emperor Gāo 高皇帝	Tàizǔ 太祖
Jianwen Emperor 建文帝 (5 December 1377 – 13 July 1402)	30 June 1398 – 13 July 1402	Zhū Yǔnwén 朱允炆	Jiànwén 建文	Emperor Ràng 讓皇帝	Huìzōng^[b] 惠宗
Yongle Emperor 永樂帝 (2 May 1360 – 12 August 1424)	17 July 1402 – 12 August 1424	Zhū Dì 朱棣	Yǒnglè 永樂	Emperor Wén 文皇帝	Tàizōng 太宗 and Chéngzǔ 成祖
Hongxi Emperor 洪熙帝 (16 August 1378 – 29 May 1425)	7 September 1424 – 29 May 1425	Zhū Gāochì 朱高熾	Hóngxī 洪熙	Emperor Zhāo 昭皇帝	Rénzōng 仁宗
Xuande Emperor 宣德帝 (16 March 1399 – 31 January 1435)	27 June 1425 – 31 January 1435	Zhū Zhānjī 朱瞻基	Xuāndé 宣德	Emperor Zhāng 章皇帝	Xuānzōng 宣宗
Emperor Yingzong 英宗 (29 November 1427 – 23 February 1464)	7 February 1435 – 22 September 1449	Zhū Qízhèn 朱祁鎮	Zhèngtǒng 正統	Emperor Ruì 睿皇帝	Yīngzōng 英宗
	11 February 1457 – 23 February 1464^[c]	Zhū Qízhèn 朱祁鎮	Tiānshùn 天順	Emperor Ruì 睿皇帝	Yīngzōng 英宗
Jingtai Emperor 景泰帝 (21 September 1428 – 14 March 1457)	22 September 1449 – 24 February 1457	Zhū Qíyù 朱祁鈺	Jǐngtài 景泰	Emperor Jǐng 景皇帝	Dàizōng 代宗
Chenghua Emperor 成化帝 (9 December 1447 – 9 September 1487)	28 February 1464 – 9 September 1487	Zhū Jiànshēn 朱見深	Chénghuà 成化	Emperor Chún 純皇帝	Xiànzōng 憲宗
Hongzhi Emperor 弘治帝 (30 July 1470 – 9 June 1505)	22 September 1487 – 8 June 1505	Zhū Yòuchēng 朱祐樘	Hóngzhì 弘治	Emperor Jìng 敬皇帝	Xiàozōng 孝宗
Zhengde Emperor 正德帝 (27 October 1491 – 20 April 1521)	19 June 1505 – 20 April 1521	Zhū Hòuzhào 朱厚㷖	Zhèngdé 正德	Emperor Yì 毅皇帝	Wǔzōng 武宗
Jiajing Emperor 嘉靖帝 (16 September 1507 – 23 January 1567)	27 May 1521 – 23 January 1567	Zhū Hòucōng 朱厚熜	Jiājìng 嘉靖	Emperor Sù 肅皇帝	Shìzōng 世宗
Longqing Emperor 隆慶帝 (4 March 1537 – 5 July 1572)	4 February 1567 – 5 July 1572	Zhū Zǎijì 朱載坖	Lóngqìng 隆慶	Emperor Zhuāng 莊皇帝	Mùzōng 穆宗
Wanli Emperor 萬曆帝 (4 September 1563 – 18 August 1620)	19 July 1572 – 18 August 1620	Zhū Yìjūn 朱翊鈞	Wànlì 萬曆	Emperor Xiǎn 顯皇帝	Shénzōng 神宗
Taichang Emperor 泰昌帝 (28 August 1582 – 26 September 1620)	28 August – 26 September 1620	Zhū Chángluò 朱常洛	Tàichāng 泰昌	Emperor Zhēn 貞皇帝	Guāngzōng 光宗
Tianqi Emperor 天啓帝 (23 December 1605 – 30 September 1627)	1 October 1620 – 30 September 1627	Zhū Yóujiào 朱由校	Tiānqǐ 天啟	Emperor Zhé 悊皇帝	Xīzōng 熹宗
Chongzhen Emperor 崇禎帝 (6 February 1611 – 25 April 1644)	2 October 1627 – 25 April 1644	Zhū Yóujiǎn 朱由檢	Chóngzhēn 崇禎	Emperor Liè 烈皇帝	Sīzōng 思宗

Southern Ming

Title Monarch (birth–death)	Reign	Personal name	Era name	Temple name
Hongguang Emperor 弘光帝 (5 September 1607 – 23 May 1646)	19 June 1644 – 15 June 1645	Zhū Yóusōng 朱由崧	Hóngguāng 弘光	Ānzōng 安宗
Regent *Prince of Lu (Luh^)**^[d] 潞王 (1608 – 23 May 1646)	1 July – 6 July 1645	Zhū Chángfāng 朱常淓	–	–
Longwu Emperor 隆武帝 (25 May 1602 – 6 October 1646)	18 August 1645 – 6 October 1646	Zhū Yùjiàn 朱聿鍵	Lóngwǔ 隆武	Shàozōng 紹宗
Regent *Prince of Lu (Lou^)^[d]** 魯王 (6 July 1618 – 23 December 1662)	7 September 1645 – March or April 1653	Zhū Yǐhǎi 朱以海	Jiānguó^[e] 監國	–
Shaowu Emperor 紹武帝 (1605 – 20 January 1647)	11 December 1646 – 20 January 1647	Zhū Yùyuè 朱聿鐭	Shàowǔ 紹武	–
Yongli Emperor 永曆帝 (1 November 1623 – 1 June 1662)	24 December 1646 – 1 June 1662	Zhū Yóuláng 朱由榔	Yǒnglì 永曆	Zhāozōng 昭宗
Regent Prince of Huai 淮王 (?–1649)	1648	Zhū Chángqīng 朱常清	Dōngwǔ 東武	–

Other Ming claimants included Zhu Benli, Prince of Han (1646–1663) and Zhu Changqing, Prince of Huai (1648–1661). If Zhu Benli existed, he would be the last legal emperor of Southern Ming from the execution (1662) of Zhu Youlang. However, Zhu Benli's identity and existence are disputed, and Zhu Youlang is generally taken to be the last emperor of Southern Ming.^[3] Ming prince Zhu Shugui carried out his duties in the Kingdom of Tungning in the name of the last Southern Ming emperor until 1683.

Individuals posthumously recognized as emperors

This is a list of individuals who did not reign as emperor during their lifetime but were later recognized as Ming emperors posthumously.

Personal name (birth–death)	Posthumous name	Temple name	Year of recognition	Notes
Zhū Bǎiliù 朱百六 (?–?)	Emperor Xuán 玄皇帝	Dézǔ 德祖	1368	Great-great-grandfather of the Hongwu Emperor
Zhū Sìjiǔ 朱四九 (?–?)	Emperor Héng 恆皇帝	Yìzǔ 懿祖	1368	Great-grandfather of the Hongwu Emperor
Zhū Chūyī 朱初一 (?–?)	Emperor Yù 裕皇帝	Xīzǔ 熙祖	1368	Grandfather of the Hongwu Emperor
Zhū Shìzhēn 朱世珍 (1281–1344)	Emperor Chún 淳皇帝	Rénzǔ 仁祖	1368	Father of the Hongwu Emperor
Zhū Biāo 朱標 (10 October 1355 – 17 May 1392)	Emperor Xiàokāng 孝康皇帝	Xīngzōng 興宗	1398 and 1645	Crown Prince who never acceded to the throne. Son of the Hongwu Emperor. Father of the Jianwen Emperor.
Zhū Yòuyuán 朱祐杬 (22 July 1476 – 13 July 1519)	Emperor Xiàn 獻皇帝	Ruìzōng 睿宗	1538	Father of the Jiajing Emperor
Zhū Chángxún 朱常洵 (22 February 1586 – 2 March 1641)	Emperor Gōng 恭皇帝 and Emperor Xiào 孝皇帝	Gōngzōng 恭宗	1644	Father of the Hongguang Emperor
Zhū Yǔwēn 朱宇溫 (1490–1560)	Emperor Huì 惠皇帝	–	1645	Great-great-grandfather of the Longwu and Shaowu emperors
Zhū Zhòuyǒng 朱宙栐 (1538–1564)	Emperor Shùn 順皇帝	–	1645	Great-grandfather of the Longwu and Shaowu emperors
Zhū Shuòhuáng 朱碩熿 (? – 24 January 1630)	Emperor Duān 端皇帝	–	1645	Grandfather of the Longwu and Shaowu emperors
Zhū Qìshèng 朱器墭 (?–1629)	Emperor Xuān 宣皇帝	–	1645	Father of the Longwu and Shaowu emperors
Zhū Cílǎng 朱慈烺 (26 February 1629 – June 1644)	Emperor Dào 悼皇帝	–	1646	Crown Prince who never acceded to the throne. Son of the Chongzhen Emperor.
Zhū Chángyíng 朱常瀛 (25 April 1597 – 21 December 1645)	Emperor Duān 端皇帝	Lǐzōng 禮宗	1646	Father of the Yongli Emperor

Timeline

Legend:

Orange denotes Ming emperors
Cyan denotes Southern Ming emperors

Notes

^ As posthumous and temple names were often shared by emperors of different dynasties, they are usually preceded by the dynastic name, in this case, Ming, to avoid confusion. For example, the Hongwu Emperor is frequently referred to as Ming Taizu.
^ The Yongle Emperor assumed the throne of his nephew, the Jianwen Emperor, who was officially said to have died in a palace fire but who was suspected of escaping to live as a recluse. The Yongle Emperor wiped out the record of his nephew's reign and no temple name was given him. In 1644, the Prince of Fu (福王), the new self-proclaimed emperor of the Southern Ming, conferred on Emperor Jianwen the temple name Huizong.
^ After listening to the poor advice of his eunuch advisers, Emperor Yingzong personally led a campaign in 1449 against the Mongols and was captured. His younger brother, the Jingtai Emperor assumed the throne and as a hostage no longer of any value, the Mongols released the Emperor Yingzong who returned to live in seclusion. However, Emperor Yingzong was able to regain his position upon the illness of Jingtai Emperor in 1457, choosing the reign name Tianshun.
^ ^a ^b The two characters are both pronounced Lu but with different tones; to distinguish them in Roman script, one is usually kept as Lu and the other spelled differently. Luh is from Cambridge History of China; Lou is from A.C. Moule's Rulers of China (1957). When one irregular spelling is used, the other is kept as regular (Lu). The two systems are distinct and not used simultaneously. After the death of these princes, there is no temple name. The temple name appearing on the Internet has no source^[2]
^ Not an actual era name, but used in place of an era name and served a similar function; Jianguo literally means "regency"

References

^ Tong, James (1992). "Ming Dynasty Emperors and Reign Period". Disorder Under Heaven: Collective Violence in the Ming Dynasty. Stanford University Press. ISBN 9780804766760.
^ Lynn A., Struve (1984). The Southern Ming, 1644–1662. Yale University Press. ISBN 9780300030570.
^ Michael Dillon, ed. (2016). Encyclopedia of Chinese History. Routledge. p. 645. ISBN 9781317817161.

[2] As posthumous and temple names were often shared by emperors of different dynasties, they are usually preceded by the dynastic name, in this case, Ming, to avoid confusion. For example, the Hongwu Emperor is frequently referred to as Ming Taizu.

[3] The Yongle Emperor assumed the throne of his nephew, the Jianwen Emperor, who was officially said to have died in a palace fire but who was suspected of escaping to live as a recluse. The Yongle Emperor wiped out the record of his nephew's reign and no temple name was given him. In 1644, the Prince of Fu (福王), the new self-proclaimed emperor of the Southern Ming, conferred on Emperor Jianwen the temple name Huizong.

[4] After listening to the poor advice of his eunuch advisers, Emperor Yingzong personally led a campaign in 1449 against the Mongols and was captured. His younger brother, the Jingtai Emperor assumed the throne and as a hostage no longer of any value, the Mongols released the Emperor Yingzong who returned to live in seclusion. However, Emperor Yingzong was able to regain his position upon the illness of Jingtai Emperor in 1457, choosing the reign name Tianshun.

[lu-6] The two characters are both pronounced Lu but with different tones; to distinguish them in Roman script, one is usually kept as Lu and the other spelled differently. Luh is from Cambridge History of China; Lou is from A.C. Moule's Rulers of China (1957). When one irregular spelling is used, the other is kept as regular (Lu). The two systems are distinct and not used simultaneously. After the death of these princes, there is no temple name. The temple name appearing on the Internet has no source^[2]

[7] Not an actual era name, but used in place of an era name and served a similar function; Jianguo literally means "regency"

[1] Tong, James (1992). "Ming Dynasty Emperors and Reign Period". Disorder Under Heaven: Collective Violence in the Ming Dynasty. Stanford University Press. ISBN 9780804766760.

[5] Lynn A., Struve (1984). The Southern Ming, 1644–1662. Yale University Press. ISBN 9780300030570.

[8] Michael Dillon, ed. (2016). Encyclopedia of Chinese History. Routledge. p. 645. ISBN 9781317817161.

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