Ming Dynasty Emperors

The Ming dynasty is usually divided into three and sometime four period of times in most scholars and history books, the reason for this division is not quite known.

The Ming Dynasty was the empire that succeeded the Yuan Empire in 1368. It was founded by Zhu Yuanzhang, who reigned as Emperor Hongwu. Although it was an autocratic empire, the Ming Dynasty was one of the most stable among the Chinese dynasties.

Early Ming Dynasty

The Early Ming Dynasty started in 1368 under Emperor Hongwu and his son, Emperor Yongle. This period was a time of cultural restoration and expansion.

An indigenous Chinese ruling house was reestablished during this time, leading to court-dictated styles in the arts. The Ming court hired painters and ordered them to use didactic and realistic representation.

Large scale landscapes and figurative narratives were specifically favored images that glorified the new dynasty. These symbols conveyed the empire’s majesty, benevolence, and virtue.

 

Middle Ming Dynasty

The Middle Ming dynasty began in 1424 when Emperor Hongxi succeeded his father, Emperor Yongle. Under his rule and a century after his reign, the Ming Empire enjoyed prosperity, stability, and tranquility. However, the administration was eventually led by weak emperors dominated by corrupt eunuchs, causing the Ming Dynasty to suffer.

The serious disruption of peace occurred in 1449 when a military campaign against the Oirats began. During this time, the empire was under the rule of Emperor Zhengtong and was dominated by the eunuch Wang Zhen.

 

Late Ming Dynasty

By the Late Ming period, Ming’s political presence significantly declined. The empire faced fiscal problems, eventually leading to its fall. The less-esteemed rulers like emperors Zhengde and Jiajing reigned during this period.

A lot of military campaigns in this period resulted in draining the empire’s funds. Along with that, the agricultural disaster and the Little Ice Age led to famine. Starving soldiers were forced to leave their posts and form gangs that ravaged the countrysides.

Rebellions became common as the Ming Dynasty continued to fall. Eventually, the Qing Dynasty was established later after the last Ming emperor took his life.

 

Hongwu Emperor

1368–1398 A.D

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Zhu Yuanzhang, who ruled from 1328 to 1398, was honored as Emperor Taizu of the Ming Dynasty. He was also called Emperor Hongwu and was the founder of the empire.

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Jianwen Emperor

1398–1402 A.D

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The Jianwen Emperor reigned from 1398 to 1402 as the second Ming emperor. His personal given name was Zhu Yunwen.

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Yongle Emperor

1402–1424 A.D

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Zhu Di was also known as the Yongle Emperor. He was Ming Dynasty’s third ruler, whose reign lasted from 1402 to 1424. Zhu Di was the Hongwu Emperor’s fourth son, who was specifically the dynasty’s founder.

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Hongxi Emperor

1424–1425 A.D

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The 4th Chinese emperor of the Ming Dynasty was the Hongxi Emperor. He ruled from 1424 to 1425 after succeeding his father, Emperor Yongle. His era name Hongxi means extremely bright, whereas his temple name, Renzong, translates to “benevolent ancestor”.

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Xuande Emperor

1425–1435 A.D

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Emperor Xuande was born Zhu Zhanji. He was the Ming Dynasty’s 5th emperor who ruled from 1425 to 1435. His period name was Xuande, which translates to “Proclamation of Virtues”.

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Emperor Yingzong of Ming

1435–1449 & 1457–1464 A.D

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Zhu Qizhen, or better known by his temple name of Emperor Yingzong of Ming, was the 6th and 8th ruler of the Ming empire. He succeeded the throne in 1435 as the Zhengtong Emperor but was forced to leave his post in 1449. All this was in favor of his younger brother after the Mongols caught him in the Temu Crisis.

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Jingtai Emperor

1449–1457 A.D

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Zhu Qiyu, known as the Jingtai Emperor, was the seventh emperor who reigned over the Ming Dynasty. He ruled from 1449 to 1457 and was the second son of Emperor Xuande.

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Chenghua Emperor

1464–1487 A.D

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The Ming Dynasty Emperor Chenghua was born as Zhu Jianshen. He was the 9th emperor of the empire, ruling from 1464 to 1487. His era name translates to “accomplished change”.

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Hongzhi Emperor

1487–1505 A.D

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Zhu Youcheng was an individual respected as Emperor Hongzhi. He was also known as Xiaozong of Ming and was the first-ever and only monogamous emperor in China.

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Zhengde Emperor

1505–1521 A.D

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The Zhengde Emperor or Emperor Wuzong was one of the most controversial Ming emperors of the dynasty.

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Jiajing Emperor

1521–1567A.D

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Zhu Houcong was also respected and known as Emperor Jiajing. He was referred to as Emperor Shizong of Ming and was considered a controversial ruler of the dynasty.

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Longqing Emperor

1567–1572 A.D

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Emperor Longqing was the Ming Dynasty’s 13th emperor who ruled from 1567 to 1572. Initially, he was known as the Prince of Yu before he took the Ming emperor’s role. His name, Longqing, translates to great celebration.

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Wanli Emperor

1572–1620 A.D

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Zhu Yijun, or Emperor Wanli, was the Ming Dynasty’s 14th emperor who ruled from 1572 to 1620. He reigned for 48 years, which was the longest of all emperors of the Ming Dynasty.

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Taichang Emperor

1620 A.D

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Emperor Taichang was given the name Zhu Changluo. He was the Ming Dynasty’s 15th emperor and the eldest son of Emperor Wanli. In 1620, Zhu Changluo succeeded his father as the new emperor of the Ming.

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Tianqi Emperor

1620–1627 A.D

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Zhu Youjiao was known as the Tianqi Emperor or Emperor Xizong of Ming. Like other rulers of the dynasty, this monarch of the Ming Dynasty was surrounded by his own set of controversies.

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Chongzhen Emperor

1627–1644 A.D

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Zhu Youjian or Emperor Chongzhen was the Ming Dynasty’s 17th and last emperor. He was also the last Han-Chinese who ruled as China’s emperor.

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