The term “Zhao people” refers not to all modern individuals with the surname Zhao, but specifically to the inhabitants of the State of Zhao, one of the Seven Warring States during the Warring States period in ancient China. The rulers and founders of Zhao were not originally surnamed Zhao, but Ying (yíng).
Historical Context
In the later period of the Eastern Jin Dynasty, the term “Zhao” appeared twice more: first, in the state of “Former Zhao” (304–329 AD), established by the Xiongnu chieftain Liu Yuan, and second, in the state of “Later Zhao” (319–351 AD), founded by the Jie leader Shi Le. This indicates that the name “Zhao” held significant appeal to the nomadic Qiang-Tibetan tribes, as they repeatedly adopted it for their states.
The Nomadic Background of the Zhao People
Were the Zhao people during the Warring States period also of nomadic background like the Xiongnu and Jie tribes? The answer is yes. The original meaning of “Zhao” in Chinese has long been lost. The traditional character “趙” is composed of “走” (to walk) and “肖” (resembling), but this etymology from the “Shuowen Jiezi” dictionary is nonsensical since “肖” cannot serve as a phonetic component, and the phonetic and semantic connection is unclear.
Connection to Nomadic Origins
The Zhao people share a common ancestry with the Qin people, as both were descendants of the Ying clan. Qin Shi Huang, the first emperor of China, was also known as Zhao Zheng. The Zhao people migrated eastward early on, initially living as nomads south of the Yin Mountains. They were affiliated with the powerful Jin state, serving as a significant military force under the Jin lords, enjoying the status of “Dafu” (a high-ranking official).
The Rise and Fall of the Zhao State
In 376 BC, the “Partition of Jin” occurred, marking the end of the Spring and Autumn period and the beginning of the Warring States period. The state of Jin was divided among the powerful families of Han, Zhao, and Wei, each establishing their own kingdom. Zhao reached its territorial zenith after conquering Zhongshan, but was eventually destroyed by the rapidly rising Qin state. In 228 BC, the Zhao capital, Handan, fell to Qin forces, leading to the state’s final collapse six years later, ending Zhao’s 181-year reign.
Searching for Zhao’s Original Meaning
Given the historical ties and cultural significance, the original meaning of “Zhao” should be sought in the Tibetan Plateau. Following this approach, I found its roots in Tibetan Bon religion texts. In ancient Tibetan, the word “zhao” has multiple spellings, which is not unusual as Tibetan is a phonetic script with various spellings for the same pronunciation.
The Tibetan Connection
The term “zhao” in ancient Tibetan, written as འབྲོ་ (ncho), was used as a self-designation by ancient Tibetans and also as a surname. The “Tibetan-Chinese Dictionary” explains that it has three meanings: a place name in Tibet, an ancient term for Tibetan people, and a surname of Tibetan ministers.
This discovery highlights the deep historical and cultural connections between the Zhao people and ancient Tibetan tribes, shedding light on their nomadic origins and the enduring significance of the name “Zhao.”
The Zhao people of ancient China were not merely a state but a representation of a rich cultural and historical tapestry intertwined with nomadic traditions and Tibetan roots. This connection underscores the significance of understanding historical names and their profound impact on cultural identity and heritage.
Unraveling the Ancient Zhao People: A Tibetan Connection
The ancient Zhao people, founders of the State of Zhao during the Warring States period, share a name with the nomadic tribes of the Tibetan Plateau. This connection is deeply rooted in history, culture, and language, shedding light on the origin and significance of the Zhao name.
Tibetan Influence on Zhao
Two prominent ministers of the Tibetan Empire were named Zhao Qiongsang Woer Mang (འབྲོ་ཅུང་བཟང་འོར་མང་) and Zhao Chisu Rexia (འབྲོ་ཁྲི་གཟུ་རམ་ཤགྶ་). The term “Zhao” (འབྲོ་, ncho) was used as a self-designation by ancient Tibetans and as a surname, indicating its deep cultural significance. Another variation, འབྲོག་ (nchog), means “to go” or “to the wilderness to herd livestock,” illustrating the nomadic lifestyle of these tribes. In Bon mythology, it even refers to a type of female demon.
Core Meanings of “Zhao” in Tibetan
The primary spelling of “Zhao” in ancient Tibetan is འགྲོ་ (ncho) or འགྲོག་ (nchog), both pronounced the same and meaning “to go” or “to walk.” More importantly, it carries the connotations of “joining together, becoming close, and becoming victorious.” It signifies unity and the drive to accomplish great deeds, encapsulating the essence of the Zhao people’s spirit.
Linguistic Evidence from Ancient Scripts
In ancient Chinese scripts, such as bronze inscriptions and seal script, the character for Zhao (趙) consistently includes the radical “止,” symbolizing conquest and movement. This aligns with the Tibetan meanings of “walking” and “going.” Additionally, the component “肖” (ཤོག་, xoo) in Tibetan refers to a tribal group, suggesting a collective of similar people united for a common cause. This ideographic character reflects the Zhao people’s need to band together to achieve great things.
The Name “Zhao” in Ancient China
The character for Zhao shares its origin with the character for “create” (造), as the founding ancestor of the Zhao people was named Zao Fu. Over time, these characters evolved into separate entities with slight phonetic differences, but the character for “create” (造) still retains the meanings of “walking” and “establishing,” while Zhao (趙) lost these connotations.
The ancient Zhao people, through their nomadic roots and cultural connections with the Tibetan Plateau, highlight the significance of unity, movement, and conquest in their history. The evolution of the Zhao character in ancient Chinese scripts further emphasizes their drive to accomplish great deeds collectively. Understanding these linguistic and cultural connections provides a deeper insight into the rich heritage of the Zhao people and their enduring legacy.
The Epic Journey of the Ancient Zhao People: Origins and Migrations
The tale of the Zhao people, founders of the State of Zhao during the Warring States period, is a testament to the adventurous spirit and relentless pursuit of power characteristic of ancient nomadic tribes. Their name, deeply rooted in the Tibetan Plateau, reveals the origins of the Zhao people and the essence of their civilization.
High Stakes and High Rewards
The original meaning of “Zhao” signifies unity and conquest, reflecting the high-stakes nature of their expeditions. Success meant establishing a new slave-state kingdom and becoming the ruling elite. This allure was irresistible, driving the nomadic tribes to risk everything for the chance to conquer and rule. The continuous repetition of such stories laid the foundation of Chinese civilization.
The Harsh Reality of Ancient Civilizations
No ancient civilization, including the Zhao, was born out of peace and prosperity. Human nature, shaped by a history of survival in a jungle-like society, dictated their evolution. The Zhao character, with its components signifying conquest and unity, encapsulates the essence of these early struggles.
Migration Paths and Ancestral Homelands
The Zhao people’s migration paths trace back to the Tibetan Plateau. Historical records and archaeological evidence suggest that the Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, specifically Hezuo City, was a significant starting point. This area, a transitional zone between the Tibetan and Loess Plateaus, served as a temporary settlement for ancient nomadic tribes before they moved eastward.
Hezuo: The Cultural Heartland
Hezuo City, known in Tibetan as “h-zo” (གཙོ་ or གཙོས་), meaning “leader” or “chief,” likely played a crucial role in the Zhao people’s history. From the Song dynasty onwards, Hezuo was home to the Zhao Tusi, a local kingdom established by the descendants of the Tibetan emperor. This kingdom persisted through the Jin, Yuan, and Ming dynasties, highlighting the deep-rooted Zhao culture in this region.
The Significance of “Zhao”
The character “Zhao” (趙) combines elements that symbolize walking, conquest, and unity, reflecting the nomadic lifestyle and the collaborative efforts needed to achieve great things. Its origin on the Tibetan Plateau underscores the migratory pressure from west to east, a force driven by both human and geographical factors.
The journey of the Zhao people, from their origins on the Tibetan Plateau to their establishment of powerful kingdoms, is a story of adventure, conquest, and survival. Their name, deeply embedded with meanings of unity and victory, reveals the essence of their civilization. Understanding this connection provides valuable insights into the roots of Chinese civilization and the enduring legacy of the Zhao people.
The Legacy of Zhao Tuo: From Qin General to King of Nanyue
Following the fall of the State of Zhao, a Qin royal named Zhao Tuo led his troops on a southern campaign, eventually founding the Nanyue Kingdom in the Lingnan region, which included parts of modern-day northern Vietnam. This historical figure, with roots deeply embedded in the Zhao lineage, continued to carry the legacy of his ancestors, establishing a new dominion far from his homeland.
Zhao Tuo: The King of Nanyue
Zhao Tuo’s name in ancient Qiang language translates to “King of Zhao” or “Ruler of the Zhao State.” This etymology underscores his authority and the legacy he intended to perpetuate. Upon establishing his rule in the region, he renamed Panyu to Tuocheng, meaning “King’s City” in Tibetan, where “陀” (ཐོག་ tog) signifies a king or chief.
The Myth of Longevity
Legend has it that Zhao Tuo lived for over a hundred years, ruling for an impressive 81 years. This claim is likely an exaggeration. Historical records show that ancient rulers, especially kings, often had short reigns due to various factors. For instance, emperors of the Yuan dynasty had an average reign of less than eight years. The extended reign attributed to Zhao Tuo could be due to multiple generations using the same royal name, leading to confusion and the myth of a single long-lived ruler.
Repeated Patterns of Expansion
Zhao Tuo’s story of a distant expedition resulting in the establishment of a local kingdom is not unique. Such ventures have occurred numerous times throughout Chinese history, often going unrecorded. These stories, though frequently lost to history, highlight the adventurous and expansionist nature of ancient Chinese and nomadic tribes.
The Enduring Influence of Zhao
Despite the fall of the original Zhao State, the legacy of its name and culture persisted through figures like Zhao Tuo. The continued use of “Zhao” in their titles and the founding of new realms under this name demonstrate the enduring influence and cultural significance of the Zhao lineage.
The story of Zhao Tuo, from a Qin general to the ruler of Nanyue, illustrates the resilience and adaptability of the Zhao lineage. His endeavors in establishing a new kingdom far from his homeland underscore the far-reaching impact of the Zhao people. This legacy, though often mythologized, reflects the enduring spirit of conquest and governance that characterized ancient Chinese and nomadic civilizations.
