Emperor Shun

Emperor Shun, one of the legendary Five Emperors, was a ruler of the Yu dynasty and is historically referred to as Yu Shun. His surname was Yao, and his given name was Chonghua. Born into the Youyu clan, Shun became the third ruler of the Yu dynasty.

Orphaned of his mother at an early age, Shun's father remarried and had another son, Xiang. Despite these challenges, Shun shouldered the responsibility of supporting his family from a young age. He was known for his unwavering filial piety toward his parents and care for his younger brother. Remarkably, while Shun always appeared when his parents needed him, he was equally adept at escaping danger when they and his brother attempted to harm him.

By the age of 20, Shun had gained nationwide renown for his filial devotion. At 30, Emperor Yao, hearing of Shun's virtuous character, summoned him to court. Recognizing his extraordinary moral integrity, Yao married his daughters, Ehuang and Nüying, to Shun and built a residence for them. To test Shun's abilities, Yao set him a series of challenges, all of which Shun completed with outstanding success. Praised universally for his accomplishments, Shun eventually succeeded Yao as ruler through a process of abdication, becoming the new Son of Heaven.

Emperor Shun is celebrated as the progenitor of moral culture. The Records of the Grand Historian states: "All moral virtues under heaven began with Yu Shun." His legacy is rooted in the principle of "morality first, with an emphasis on education," marking a pivotal transition from barbarism to civilization.

In his later years, Shun, recognizing the shortcomings of his son Shangjun, recommended Yu to Heaven as his successor, continuing the tradition of abdication. Seventeen years later, during a southern inspection tour, Emperor Shun passed away at the age of 101.