皇

huáng

王 + 白

Definitions

huáng (noun) emperor

huáng (adjective) imperial; royal

Etymology

Depicts a decorative crown above 王 (king).

About

The character 皇 is an ideogram currently written with 白 'white' over 王 'king'. Its ancient form, however, shows a decorative crown above a king, a direct depiction of supreme authority. The meaning is 'emperor' or 'sovereign', imbued with connotations of grandeur, majesty, and absolute power. It eventually became the formal title for the monarchs of a unified China, beginning with the First Emperor.

Etymology Hide

Oracle etymology image

Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Early Western Zhou (~1000 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Early Western Zhou (~1000 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Late Western Zhou (~800 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Late Spring and Autumn (~500 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Spring and Autumn (771-476 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Mid Warring States (~300 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Late Warring States (~250 BC)

Seal etymology image

Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)

Seal etymology image

Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)

Seal etymology image

Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)

Seal etymology image

Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)

Seal etymology image

Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)

Seal etymology image

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Seal etymology image

Seal Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Western Jin dynasty (266-316 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

这位皇帝很仁慈。

Zhè wèi huángdì hěn réncí.

This emperor is very kind.

皇宫非常宏伟。

Huánggōng fēicháng hóngwěi.

The imperial palace is very magnificent.

她戴着一顶皇冠。

Tā dàizhe yī dǐng huángguān.

She is wearing a crown.

这是皇家花园。

Zhè shì huángjiā huāyuán.

This is the royal garden.

皇后正在参加庆典。

Huánghòu zhèngzài cānjiā qìngdiǎn.

The queen is attending the ceremony.

皇族成员住在城堡里。

Huángzú chéngyuán zhù zài chéngbǎo lǐ.

The royal family members live in the castle.

在古代，皇权至高无上。

Zài gǔdài, huángquán zhì gāo wú shàng.

In ancient times, imperial power was supreme.

他继承了父亲的皇位，成为新皇帝。

Tā jìchéngle fùqīn de huángwèi, chéngwéi xīn huángdì.

He inherited his father's throne and became the new emperor.

Related Characters

Composed characters:

Component: 王

Component: 白

Example Words