1841. -
Chronology of the Chinese.
123
the first of the stems and the first of the branches, formed coup- lets, and by repeating the first series six, and the second five times, framed the cycle-a tabular form of which stands on the opposite page. This being completed, was, according to tradition, imme- diately adopted by the emperor, and the 61st year of his reign thus became the first year of the first cycle,-seventy-four of which, mak- ing 4440 years, were completed A. D. 1803.. The present year 1841 is the 38th year of the 75th cycle; it is called sin chow.
Besides the mode of indicating time by the cycle, the Chinese date from the commencement of each successive monarch; thus the first day of the present month of March they write according to their
calendar, thus, 道光二十
年二月初九日,
Taoukwang, 21st year, 2d month, 9th day.
We now proceed to give, in their order, the names of the several
dynasties with the titles of the sovereigns in each.
1. THE THREE AUGUST SOVEREIGNS;
1. 三皇紀 SAN HwaNG Ke.
1. Pwan koo, the first on earth.
2. Teen hwang, the celestial sovereign.
3.Te hwang, the terrestial sovereign.
4.Jinhwang, the human sovereign. 5. 有巢 Yew chaou.
6. KA Suy jin.
The 2d, 3d, and 4th, in this series, are generally considered, by way of eminence, as the three sovereigns. For an explanation of Pwankoo, see page 49; for the meaning of the imperial and royal titles, see volume II., page 309.
This period, even by the Chinese, is regarded as wholly mytholo gical. After the separation of the heavens from the earth, Pwankoo was, the first that appeared in the world. Teën hwang is, sometimes regarded as a line of sovereigns, thirteen in number, reigning 18,000 years. Te hwang is another line, eleven in number, reigning 18,000 years; and Jin hwang, a third, nine in number, reigning 45,600
years.