Taishang Huang

Taishang Huang
The honorific was first bestowed by Qin Shi Huang (depicted) to his deceased father King Zhuangxiang of Qin.[1]
Chinese太上皇
Transcriptions
Standard Mandarin
Hanyu PinyinTàishàng Huáng
Wade–GilesT'ai4-shang4 Huang2
Alternative Chinese name
Chinese太上皇帝
Transcriptions
Standard Mandarin
Hanyu PinyinTàishàng Huángdì

In Chinese history, a Taishang Huang or Taishang Huangdi is an honorific and institution of a retired emperor.[2] The former emperor had, at least in name, abdicated in favor of someone else. Although no longer the reigning sovereign, there are instances where the retired emperor became a power behind the throne, often exerting more power than the reigning emperor.

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference ei-24-5 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ Eisenberg, Andrew (2008). Kingship in Early Medieval China. Leiden: Brill. pp. 23–28. ISBN 9789004163812.