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Emperor Tianqi, 16th ruler of the Ming Dynasty (r. 1620-1627).<br/> Personal Name: Zhu Youjiao, Zhū Yóujiào.<br/> Posthumous Name: Zhedi, Zhédì.<br/> Temple Name: Xizong, Xīzōng.<br/> Reign Name: Ming Tianqi, Ming Tiānqǐ.<br/><br/> The Tianqi Emperor (23 December 1605 – 30 September 1627) was emperor of the Ming Dynasty from 1620 to 1627. Born Zhu Youjiao, he was the Taichang Emperor's eldest son. His era name means 'Heavenly Opening'.<br/><br/> Zhu Youjiao became emperor at the age of fifteen, on the death of his father who ruled less than a month. He did not pay much attention to affairs of state, and was accused of failing in his filial duties to his dead father by not continuing his father's wishes. It is possible that Zhu Youjiao suffered from a learning disability. He was illiterate and showed no interest in his studies. Zhu Youjiao died in 1627 and was succeeded by his younger brother Zhu Youjian, the Chongzhen Emperor.
Zhu Zizhen was a minor character from the classic Ming Dynasty novel 'Fengshen Yanyi'. Zhu Zizhen was one of the Seven Sacred Meishan, a pig sprite who fought for King Zhou of Shang under the leadership of the white ape sprite Yuan Hong. Like many of the other Meishan, he was eventualyl killed by Yang Jian.
Tongtian Jiaozhu, sometimes translated as Grandmaster of Heaven, was a character from the classic Ming Dynasty novel 'Fengshen Yanyi'. He was the third disciple of Hongjun Laozu, supreme patriatch of the Three Pure Ones in Taoism, and the younger brother to Yuanshi Tianzun and Taishan Laojun, two of the Three Pure Ones. Tongtian Jiaozhu is often portrayed in an antagonistic role to his more virtuous brothers.<br/><br/> While his brothers became the patriarch deities to the Chan Branch of Taoism, Tongtian formed his own sect, known as Branch Jie. He lived in Biyou palace on Jinsha Island, where he taught his disciples and followers. One day, Guangchenzi, one of the leaders of Branch Chan, came to visit Tongtian on his own island. While there, Guangchenzi killed one of Tongtian's favoured disciples, Jinguang Shengmu, by mistake. This would cause a war between the two branches for many years, resulting in many injuries and deaths amongst the Xians and gods.<br/><br/> The war eventually ended during the fall of the Shang Dynasty, with Branch Jie allying with the corrupt Shang Dynasty while Branch Chan aided the more virtuous Zhou army. Branch Jie lost, and Tongtian Jiaozhu was arrested by his master Hongjun Laozu.
The Chinese Workers' and Peasants' Red Army (Zhongguo Gongnong Hongjun), also known as the Chinese Red Army, or simply the Red Army, was a group army under the command of the Communist Party of China.<br/><br/> The Chinese Workers' and Peasants' Red Army was created on May 25, 1928 in the First Chinese Civil War. Between 1934 to 1935, the Red Army survived several campaigns against the Nationalist forces who were led by the Generalissimo Chiang Kai-Shek and engaged in the Long March.<br/><br/> By the time of 1934 Long March, numerous small units had been organized into three unified groups, the First Red Army, the Second Red Army and the Fourth Red Army. When the anti-Japanese war broke out on July 7, 1937, the communist military forces were nominally integrated into the National Revolutionary Army of the Republic of China forming the Eighth Route Army and the New Fourth Army units.
Between 1405 and 1433, the Ming government sponsored a series of seven naval expeditions. The Yongle emperor designed them to establish a Chinese presence, impose imperial control over trade, impress foreign peoples in the Indian Ocean basin and extend the empire's tributary system.<br/><br/> Zheng He was placed as the admiral in control of the huge fleet and armed forces that undertook these expeditions. Zheng He's first voyage consisted of a fleet of up to 317 ships holding almost 28,000 crewmen, with each ship housing up to 500 men.<br/><br/> Zheng He's fleets visited Arabia, Brunei, East Africa, India, the Malay Archipelago and Thailand, dispensing and receiving goods along the way. Zheng He presented gifts of gold, silver, porcelain and silk; in return, China received such novelties as ostriches, zebras, camels, ivory and giraffes.
Between 1405 and 1433, the Ming government sponsored a series of seven naval expeditions. The Yongle emperor designed them to establish a Chinese presence, impose imperial control over trade, impress foreign peoples in the Indian Ocean basin and extend the empire's tributary system.<br/><br/> Zheng He was placed as the admiral in control of the huge fleet and armed forces that undertook these expeditions. Zheng He's first voyage consisted of a fleet of up to 317 ships holding almost 28,000 crewmen, with each ship housing up to 500 men.<br/><br/> Zheng He's fleets visited Arabia, Brunei, East Africa, India, the Malay Archipelago and Thailand, dispensing and receiving goods along the way. Zheng He presented gifts of gold, silver, porcelain and silk; in return, China received such novelties as ostriches, zebras, camels, ivory and giraffes.
Between 1405 and 1433, the Ming government sponsored a series of seven naval expeditions. The Yongle emperor designed them to establish a Chinese presence, impose imperial control over trade, impress foreign peoples in the Indian Ocean basin and extend the empire's tributary system.<br/><br/> Zheng He was placed as the admiral in control of the huge fleet and armed forces that undertook these expeditions. Zheng He's first voyage consisted of a fleet of up to 317 ships holding almost 28,000 crewmen, with each ship housing up to 500 men.<br/><br/> Zheng He's fleets visited Arabia, Brunei, East Africa, India, the Malay Archipelago and Thailand, dispensing and receiving goods along the way. Zheng He presented gifts of gold, silver, porcelain and silk; in return, China received such novelties as ostriches, zebras, camels, ivory and giraffes.
Liu Shaoqi (Liu Shao-ch'i, 24 November 1898 – 12 November 1969) was a Chinese revolutionary, statesman, and theorist. He was Chairman of the People's Republic of China, China's head of state, from 27 April 1959 to 31 October 1968, during which he implemented policies of economic reconstruction in China.<br/><br/> Zhou Enlai was the first Premier of the People's Republic of China, serving from October 1949 until his death in January 1976.<br/><br/> Zhu De was a Chinese Communist military leader and statesman. He is regarded as the founder of the Chinese Red Army (the forerunner of the People's Liberation Army) and the tactician who engineered the victory of the People's Republic of China during the Chinese Civil War.
Zhu De was a Chinese Communist military leader and statesman. He is regarded as the founder of the Chinese Red Army (the forerunner of the People's Liberation Army) and the tactician who engineered the victory of the People's Republic of China during the Chinese Civil War.
Peng Dehuai (1898-1974), was Marshal of the People's Republic of China, Deputy Commander in Chief of the 8th Route army, Deputy Commander in Chief People's Liberation Army and Commander in Chief Chinese People's Volunteer Army in Korea.<br/><br/> Zhu De (1886-197) was a Chinese Communist military leader and statesman. He is regarded as the founder of the Chinese Red Army (the forerunner of the People's Liberation Army) and the tactician who engineered the victory of the People's Republic of China during the Chinese Civil War.
Zhang Guo, better known as Zhang Guolao, is a Chinese mythological figure and one of the Eight Immortals in the Taoist or Daoist pantheon.<br/><br/> His existence is said to have begun around the middle or end of the 7th century, and ended approximately in the middle of the 8th.
The Chinese Workers' and Peasants' Red Army (Zhongguo Gongnong Hongjun), also known as the Chinese Red Army, or simply the Red Army, was a group army under the command of the Communist Party of China.<br/><br/> The Chinese Workers' and Peasants' Red Army was created on May 25, 1928 in the First Chinese Civil War. Between 1934 to 1935, the Red Army survived several campaigns against the Nationalist forces who were led by the Generalissimo Chiang Kai-Shek and engaged in the Long March.<br/><br/> By the time of 1934 Long March, numerous small units had been organized into three unified groups, the First Red Army, the Second Red Army and the Fourth Red Army. When the anti-Japanese war broke out on July 7, 1937, the communist military forces were nominally integrated into the National Revolutionary Army of the Republic of China forming the Eighth Route Army and the New Fourth Army units.
Zhu De was a Chinese Communist military leader and statesman. He is regarded as the founder of the Chinese Red Army (the forerunner of the People's Liberation Army) and the tactician who engineered the victory of the People's Republic of China during the Chinese Civil War.<br/><br/> Soong Ch'ing-ling, Shanghai, 1920 (pinyin: Song Qingling, 27 January 1893 – 29 May 1981), also known as Madame Sun Yat-sen, was one of the three Soong sisters who, along with their husbands, were amongst China's most significant political figures of the early 20th century. She was the Vice Chairman of the People's Republic of China. She was the first non-royal woman to officially become head of state of China, acting as Co-Chairman of the Republic from 1968 until 1972.<br/><br/> She again became head of state in 1981, briefly before her death, as President of China. Soong is sometimes regarded as Asia's first female non-monarchial head of state, although her title of Honorary President of the People's Republic of China was purely ceremonial.
Zhu Ling (active c. 1820-1850) was a Chinese painter living in the latter years of the Qing Dynasty period. He was active during the mid-decades of the 19th century, though there are no records on his birth and death dates.
Zhu De was a Chinese Communist military leader and statesman. He is regarded as the founder of the Chinese Red Army (the forerunner of the People's Liberation Army) and the tactician who engineered the victory of the People's Republic of China during the Chinese Civil War.
Water Margin (known in Chinese as Shuihu Zhuan, sometimes abbreviated to Shuihu), also known as Suikoden in Japanese, as well as Outlaws of the Marsh, Tale of the Marshes, All Men Are Brothers, Men of the Marshes, or The Marshes of Mount Liang, is a 14th century novel and one of the Four Great Classical Novels of Chinese literature.<br/><br/> Attributed to Shi Nai'an and written in vernacular Chinese, the story, set in the Song Dynasty, tells of how a group of 108 outlaws gathered at Mount Liang (or Liangshan Marsh) to form a sizable army before they are eventually granted amnesty by the government and sent on campaigns to resist foreign invaders and suppress rebel forces.<br/><br/> In 1827, Japanese publisher Kagaya Kichibei commissioned Utagawa Kuniyoshi to produce a series of woodblock prints illustrating the 108 heroes of the Suikoden. The 1827-1830 series, called '108 Heroes of the Water Margin' or 'Tsuzoku Suikoden goketsu hyakuhachinin no hitori', made Utagawa Kuniyoshi's famous.
Water Margin (known in Chinese as Shuihu Zhuan, sometimes abbreviated to Shuihu), also known as Suikoden in Japanese, as well as Outlaws of the Marsh, Tale of the Marshes, All Men Are Brothers, Men of the Marshes, or The Marshes of Mount Liang, is a 14th century novel and one of the Four Great Classical Novels of Chinese literature.<br/><br/> Attributed to Shi Nai'an and written in vernacular Chinese, the story, set in the Song Dynasty, tells of how a group of 108 outlaws gathered at Mount Liang (or Liangshan Marsh) to form a sizable army before they are eventually granted amnesty by the government and sent on campaigns to resist foreign invaders and suppress rebel forces.<br/><br/> In 1827, Japanese publisher Kagaya Kichibei commissioned Utagawa Kuniyoshi to produce a series of woodblock prints illustrating the 108 heroes of the Suikoden. The 1827-1830 series, called '108 Heroes of the Water Margin' or 'Tsuzoku Suikoden goketsu hyakuhachinin no hitori', made Utagawa Kuniyoshi's famous.
Water Margin (known in Chinese as Shuihu Zhuan, sometimes abbreviated to Shuihu), also known as Suikoden in Japanese, as well as Outlaws of the Marsh, Tale of the Marshes, All Men Are Brothers, Men of the Marshes, or The Marshes of Mount Liang, is a 14th century novel and one of the Four Great Classical Novels of Chinese literature.<br/><br/> Attributed to Shi Nai'an and written in vernacular Chinese, the story, set in the Song Dynasty, tells of how a group of 108 outlaws gathered at Mount Liang (or Liangshan Marsh) to form a sizable army before they are eventually granted amnesty by the government and sent on campaigns to resist foreign invaders and suppress rebel forces.<br/><br/> In 1827, Japanese publisher Kagaya Kichibei commissioned Utagawa Kuniyoshi to produce a series of woodblock prints illustrating the 108 heroes of the Suikoden. The 1827-1830 series, called '108 Heroes of the Water Margin' or 'Tsuzoku Suikoden goketsu hyakuhachinin no hitori', made Utagawa Kuniyoshi's famous.
The Qingjing Mosque, also known as the Ashab Mosque, was initially built in 1009 during the Song Dynasty (960-1279). It was based on a mosque in Damascus, Syria and is the oldest Arab-style mosque in China. The mosque, built and repaired by Arab Muslims, reflects the longstanding cultural exchange between China and the Arabic countries.<br/><br/> A thousand years ago Quanzhou was arguably the world’s most significant port, with a lucrative position at the centre of the maritime silk trade.<br/><br/> It prospered enormously during the Song and Yuan dynasties, when it was visited by Marco Polo (the port was known as Zaytoun then) and played host to thousands of Arab merchants, many of whom made fortunes introducing Chinese inventions such as gunpowder and printing to the West.<br/><br/> The port fell into irreversible decline following the restrictions on maritime trade imposed by the Ming emperors in the 15th century.
The Qingjing Mosque, also known as the Ashab Mosque, was initially built in 1009 during the Song Dynasty (960-1279). It was based on a mosque in Damascus, Syria and is the oldest Arab-style mosque in China. The mosque, built and repaired by Arab Muslims, reflects the longstanding cultural exchange between China and the Arabic countries.<br/><br/> A thousand years ago Quanzhou was arguably the world’s most significant port, with a lucrative position at the centre of the maritime silk trade.<br/><br/> It prospered enormously during the Song and Yuan dynasties, when it was visited by Marco Polo (the port was known as Zaytoun then) and played host to thousands of Arab merchants, many of whom made fortunes introducing Chinese inventions such as gunpowder and printing to the West.<br/><br/> The port fell into irreversible decline following the restrictions on maritime trade imposed by the Ming emperors in the 15th century.
Zhu De was a Chinese Communist military leader and statesman. He is regarded as the founder of the Chinese Red Army (the forerunner of the People's Liberation Army) and the tactician who engineered the victory of the People's Republic of China during the Chinese Civil War.
This landscape was originally painted on a silk scroll in the late 18th or early 19th century CE. Artist Zhu Henian was clearly a great admirer of 14th-century painter Huang Gongwang and imitated his simplistic but soothing style.
Emperor Yongle, 3rd ruler of the Ming Dynasty (r. 1402-1424). Personal Name: Zhu Di, Zhū Dì. Posthumous Name: Wendi, Wéndì. Temple Name: Chengzu, Chéngzǔ; Taizong, Tàizōng. Reign Name: Ming Yongle, Ming Yǒnglè.<br/><br/> The Yongle Emperor was the third emperor of the Ming Dynasty of China from 1402 to 1424. His Chinese era name Yongle means 'Perpetual Happiness'. He became emperor by conspiring to usurp the throne which was against the Hongwu Emperor's wishes. He moved the capital from Nanjing to Beijing where it was located in the following generations, and constructed the Forbidden City there. After its dilapidation and disuse during the Yuan Dynasty and Hongwu's reign, the Yongle Emperor had the Grand Canal of China repaired and reopened in order to supply the new capital of Beijing in the north with a steady flow of goods and southern foodstuffs. He commissioned most of the exploratory sea voyages of Zheng He. During his reign the monumental Yongle Encyclopedia was completed. The Yongle Emperor is buried in the Changling tomb, the central and largest mausoleum of the Ming Dynasty Tombs.
Between 1405 and 1433, the Ming government sponsored a series of seven naval expeditions. The Yongle emperor designed them to establish a Chinese presence, impose imperial control over trade, impress foreign peoples in the Indian Ocean basin and extend the empire's tributary system.<br/><br/> Zheng He was placed as the admiral in control of the huge fleet and armed forces that undertook these expeditions. Zheng He's first voyage consisted of a fleet of up to 317 ships holding almost 28,000 crewmen, with each ship housing up to 500 men.<br/><br/> Zheng He's fleets visited Arabia, Brunei, East Africa, India, the Malay Archipelago and Thailand, dispensing and receiving goods along the way. Zheng He presented gifts of gold, silver, porcelain and silk; in return, China received such novelties as ostriches, zebras, camels, ivory and giraffes.
Deshin Shekpa (1384–1415), also Deshin Shegpa, was the fifth Gyalwa Karmapa, head of the Kagyu School of Tibetan Buddhism.<br/><br/> Deshin Shekpa was born in Nyang Dam in the south of Tibet. According to the legend he said after being born: 'I am the Karmapa. Om mani padme hum shri.' Deshin Shekpa was taken to Tsawa Phu who recognized him as the reincarnation of the Karmapa. Deshin traveled extensively through Tibet and Mongolia and taught people about non-violence. After having finished his education, he was invited in 1403 by the emperor of China, because Emperor Zhu Di, the Yongle Emperor, (1402-1424) had a vision of Avalokitesvara. He also required religious ceremonies to be held for his deceased parents.<br/><br/> The Karmapa was very well received in China and a number of miraculous occurrences are reported. He also performed ceremonies for the emperor's family. The emperor presented him with 700 measures of silver objects and bestowed the title of 'Precious Religious King, Great Loving One of the West, Mighty Buddha of Peace'. He also gave him a material representation of the famous and ethereal 'Vajra Crown' which was said to be invisible to all except those of most pure spirit.
Between 1405 and 1433, the Ming government sponsored a series of seven naval expeditions. The Yongle emperor designed them to establish a Chinese presence, impose imperial control over trade, impress foreign peoples in the Indian Ocean basin and extend the empire's tributary system.<br/><br/> Zheng He was placed as the admiral in control of the huge fleet and armed forces that undertook these expeditions. Zheng He's first voyage consisted of a fleet of up to 317 ships holding almost 28,000 crewmen, with each ship housing up to 500 men.<br/><br/> Zheng He's fleets visited Arabia, Brunei, East Africa, India, the Malay Archipelago and Thailand, dispensing and receiving goods along the way. Zheng He presented gifts of gold, silver, porcelain and silk; in return, China received such novelties as ostriches, zebras, camels, ivory and giraffes.
Empress Xu (1362 - July 1407), formally Empress Ren Xiao Wen, birth name Xu Yihua), was the third empress of the Ming Dynasty from 1402 to 1407. Her husband was the Yongle Emperor. She was well educated, compiling bibliographies of virtuous women, an activity connected with court politics.<br/><br/> Empress Xu is also the first person credited with transcribing a Buddhist sutra from a dream revelation. The work is entitled 'The sutra of great merit of the foremost rarity spoken by the Buddha which the Renxiao empress of the great Ming received in a dream'). In her introduction to the sutra, the empress wrote that one night after meditating and burning incense, Guanyin appeared to her as if in a dream, and took her to a holy realm where the sutra was revealed to her in order to save her from disaster. After reading the sutra three times, she was able to memorize it and recall it perfectly upon awakening and writing it down. The sutra conveys conventional Mahayana philosophies, and the mantras for chanting were typical of Tibetan Buddhist practices.
Between 1405 and 1433, the Ming government sponsored a series of seven naval expeditions. The Yongle emperor designed them to establish a Chinese presence, impose imperial control over trade, impress foreign peoples in the Indian Ocean basin and extend the empire's tributary system.<br/><br/> Zheng He was placed as the admiral in control of the huge fleet and armed forces that undertook these expeditions. Zheng He's first voyage consisted of a fleet of up to 317 ships holding almost 28,000 crewmen, with each ship housing up to 500 men.<br/><br/> Zheng He's fleets visited Arabia, Brunei, East Africa, India, the Malay Archipelago and Thailand, dispensing and receiving goods along the way. Zheng He presented gifts of gold, silver, porcelain and silk; in return, China received such novelties as ostriches, zebras, camels, ivory and giraffes.
Between 1405 and 1433, the Ming government sponsored a series of seven naval expeditions. The Yongle emperor designed them to establish a Chinese presence, impose imperial control over trade, impress foreign peoples in the Indian Ocean basin and extend the empire's tributary system.<br/><br/> Zheng He was placed as the admiral in control of the huge fleet and armed forces that undertook these expeditions. Zheng He's first voyage consisted of a fleet of up to 317 ships holding almost 28,000 crewmen, with each ship housing up to 500 men.<br/><br/> Zheng He's fleets visited Arabia, Brunei, East Africa, India, the Malay Archipelago and Thailand, dispensing and receiving goods along the way. Zheng He presented gifts of gold, silver, porcelain and silk; in return, China received such novelties as ostriches, zebras, camels, ivory and giraffes.
Empress Xu (1362 - July 1407), formally Empress Ren Xiao Wen, birth name Xu Yihua), was the third empress of the Ming Dynasty from 1402 to 1407. Her husband was the Yongle Emperor. She was well educated, compiling bibliographies of virtuous women, an activity connected with court politics.<br/><br/> Empress Xu is also the first person credited with transcribing a Buddhist sutra from a dream revelation. The work is entitled 'The sutra of great merit of the foremost rarity spoken by the Buddha which the Renxiao empress of the great Ming received in a dream'). In her introduction to the sutra, the empress wrote that one night after meditating and burning incense, Guanyin appeared to her as if in a dream, and took her to a holy realm where the sutra was revealed to her in order to save her from disaster. After reading the sutra three times, she was able to memorize it and recall it perfectly upon awakening and writing it down. The sutra conveys conventional Mahayana philosophies, and the mantras for chanting were typical of Tibetan Buddhist practices.
Emperor Yongle, 3rd ruler of the Ming Dynasty (r. 1402-1424). Personal Name: Zhu Di, Zhū Dì. Posthumous Name: Wendi, Wéndì. Temple Name: Chengzu, Chéngzǔ; Taizong, Tàizōng. Reign Name: Ming Yongle, Ming Yǒnglè.<br/><br/> The Yongle Emperor was the third emperor of the Ming Dynasty of China from 1402 to 1424. His Chinese era name Yongle means 'Perpetual Happiness'. He became emperor by conspiring to usurp the throne which was against the Hongwu Emperor's wishes. He moved the capital from Nanjing to Beijing where it was located in the following generations, and constructed the Forbidden City there. After its dilapidation and disuse during the Yuan Dynasty and Hongwu's reign, the Yongle Emperor had the Grand Canal of China repaired and reopened in order to supply the new capital of Beijing in the north with a steady flow of goods and southern foodstuffs. He commissioned most of the exploratory sea voyages of Zheng He. During his reign the monumental Yongle Encyclopedia was completed. The Yongle Emperor is buried in the Changling tomb, the central and largest mausoleum of the Ming Dynasty Tombs.
Between 1405 and 1433, the Ming government sponsored a series of seven naval expeditions. The Yongle emperor designed them to establish a Chinese presence, impose imperial control over trade, impress foreign peoples in the Indian Ocean basin and extend the empire's tributary system.<br/><br/> Zheng He was placed as the admiral in control of the huge fleet and armed forces that undertook these expeditions. Zheng He's first voyage consisted of a fleet of up to 317 ships holding almost 28,000 crewmen, with each ship housing up to 500 men.<br/><br/> Zheng He's fleets visited Arabia, Brunei, East Africa, India, the Malay Archipelago and Thailand, dispensing and receiving goods along the way. Zheng He presented gifts of gold, silver, porcelain and silk; in return, China received such novelties as ostriches, zebras, camels, ivory and giraffes.
Zhu Youyuan (22 July 1476 – 13 July 1519), was the fourth son of the Chenghua Emperor (Zhu Jianshen, 1447 - 1487), the 9th emperor of the Ming Dynasty.<br/><br/> He was also known as Prince Xian of Xing and his fief was near today's Zhongxiang, in Hubei Province. He and his wife were posthumously honored by his son after he became the Jiajing Emperor in 1521.
Emperor Yongle, 3rd ruler of the Ming Dynasty (r. 1402-1424). Personal Name: Zhu Di, Zhū Dì. Posthumous Name: Wendi, Wéndì. Temple Name: Chengzu, Chéngzǔ; Taizong, Tàizōng. Reign Name: Ming Yongle, Ming Yǒnglè.<br/><br/> The Yongle Emperor was the third emperor of the Ming Dynasty of China from 1402 to 1424. His Chinese era name Yongle means 'Perpetual Happiness'. He became emperor by conspiring to usurp the throne which was against the Hongwu Emperor's wishes. He moved the capital from Nanjing to Beijing where it was located in the following generations, and constructed the Forbidden City there. After its dilapidation and disuse during the Yuan Dynasty and Hongwu's reign, the Yongle Emperor had the Grand Canal of China repaired and reopened in order to supply the new capital of Beijing in the north with a steady flow of goods and southern foodstuffs. He commissioned most of the exploratory sea voyages of Zheng He. During his reign the monumental Yongle Encyclopedia was completed. The Yongle Emperor is buried in the Changling tomb, the central and largest mausoleum of the Ming Dynasty Tombs.
Between 1405 and 1433, the Ming government sponsored a series of seven naval expeditions. The Yongle emperor designed them to establish a Chinese presence, impose imperial control over trade, impress foreign peoples in the Indian Ocean basin and extend the empire's tributary system.<br/><br/> Zheng He was placed as the admiral in control of the huge fleet and armed forces that undertook these expeditions. Zheng He's first voyage consisted of a fleet of up to 317 ships holding almost 28,000 crewmen, with each ship housing up to 500 men.<br/><br/> Zheng He's fleets visited Arabia, Brunei, East Africa, India, the Malay Archipelago and Thailand, dispensing and receiving goods along the way. Zheng He presented gifts of gold, silver, porcelain and silk; in return, China received such novelties as ostriches, zebras, camels, ivory and giraffes.
Madame Zhu, a Chinese lady of rank, wearing official robes of the civil 8th rank with an oriole bird. Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) portrait.
Zhu De was a Chinese Communist military leader and statesman. He is regarded as the founder of the Chinese Red Army (the forerunner of the People's Liberation Army) and the tactician who engineered the victory of the People's Republic of China during the Chinese Civil War.
Emperor Tianqi, 16th ruler of the Ming Dynasty (r. 1620-1627).<br/> Personal Name: Zhu Youjiao, Zhū Yóujiào.<br/> Posthumous Name: Zhedi, Zhédì.<br/> Temple Name: Xizong, Xīzōng.<br/> Reign Name: Ming Tianqi, Ming Tiānqǐ.<br/><br/> The Tianqi Emperor (23 December 1605 – 30 September 1627) was emperor of the Ming Dynasty from 1620 to 1627. Born Zhu Youjiao, he was the Taichang Emperor's eldest son. His era name means 'Heavenly Opening'.<br/><br/> Zhu Youjiao became emperor at the age of fifteen, on the death of his father who ruled less than a month. He did not pay much attention to affairs of state, and was accused of failing in his filial duties to his dead father by not continuing his father's wishes. It is possible that Zhu Youjiao suffered from a learning disability. He was illiterate and showed no interest in his studies. Zhu Youjiao died in 1627 and was succeeded by his younger brother Zhu Youjian, the Chongzhen Emperor.
Emperor Yongle, 3rd ruler of the Ming Dynasty (r. 1402-1424). Personal Name: Zhu Di, Zhū Dì. Posthumous Name: Wendi, Wéndì. Temple Name: Chengzu, Chéngzǔ; Taizong, Tàizōng. Reign Name: Ming Yongle, Ming Yǒnglè.<br/><br/> The Yongle Emperor was the third emperor of the Ming Dynasty of China from 1402 to 1424. His Chinese era name Yongle means 'Perpetual Happiness'. He became emperor by conspiring to usurp the throne which was against the Hongwu Emperor's wishes. He moved the capital from Nanjing to Beijing where it was located in the following generations, and constructed the Forbidden City there. After its dilapidation and disuse during the Yuan Dynasty and Hongwu's reign, the Yongle Emperor had the Grand Canal of China repaired and reopened in order to supply the new capital of Beijing in the north with a steady flow of goods and southern foodstuffs. He commissioned most of the exploratory sea voyages of Zheng He. During his reign the monumental Yongle Encyclopedia was completed. The Yongle Emperor is buried in the Changling tomb, the central and largest mausoleum of the Ming Dynasty Tombs.
Alī ibn Abī Ṭālib (Arabic: علي بن أﺑﻲ طالب) was the cousin and son-in-law of the Islamic prophet Muhammad, ruled over the Islamic Caliphate from 656 to 661, and was the first male convert to Islam.<br/><br/> Sunni Muslims consider Ali the fourth and final of the Rashidun (rightly guided Caliphs), while Shi'a Muslims regard Ali as the first Imam and consider him and his descendants the rightful successors to Muhammad, all of whom are members of the Ahl al-Bayt, the household of Muhammad.<br/><br/> This disagreement divides the Ummah (Muslim community) into the Sunni and Shi'a branches. Ali is greatly revered in Shia Islam. Zulfiqar 'bifurcated' (Arabic: ذو الفقار‎ Dhū l-Fiqār) is the sword of Ali. In Arabic the name is commonly transliterated as Dhu al-Fiqar, Thulfeqar, Dhulfiqar, Zoulfikar etc.<br/><br/> Representations of the Prophet Muhammad are controversial, and generally forbidden in Sunni Islam (especially Hanafiyya, Wahabi, Salafiyya). Shia Islam and some other branches of Sunni Islam (Hanbali, Maliki, Shafi'i) are generally more tolerant of such representational images, but even so the Prophet's features are generally veiled or concealed by flames as a mark of deep respect.
Zhu De was a Chinese Communist military leader and statesman. He is regarded as the founder of the Chinese Red Army (the forerunner of the People's Liberation Army) and the tactician who engineered the victory of the People's Republic of China during the Chinese Civil War.