Directory_and_Chronicle_1845 — Page 338

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stems and the first of the branches, formed couplets, and by repeat- ing the first series siz, 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, immediately adopted by the emperor, and the 61st year of his reign thus became the first year of the first cycle,-seventy-four of which, making 4440 years, were completed a. D. 1803. The present year 1848 is the 45th year of the 75th cycle; it is called

mau shin

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, * = +

十一年二月初九日,

Táukwáng, 21st year, 2d month, 9th day.

We now proceed to give, in their order, the names of the several dynasties with the title of the sovereigns in each.

1

2

1. THE THREE August SOVEREIGNS;

1. 三皇

San Hwang Kı.

#Pwán kú, the first on earth.

Tien hwáng, the celestial sovereign.

3

Ti hwáng, the terrestrial sovereign.

4 λ Jin hwáng, the human sovereign.

5 đi H. Yú cháu.

有巢

6

Sui jin.

The 2d, 3d, and 4th, in this series, are generally considered, by way of eminence as the three sovereigns. For an explanation of Pwánkú, see Chi. Rep. vol. X., 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, Pwánkú was the first that appeared in the world. Tien hwáng is sometimes regarded as a line of sovereigns, thirteen in number, reigning 18,000 years. Tí hwáng is another line, eleven in number, reigning 18,000 years; and Jin hwáng, a third, nine in number, reigning 45,600

years.