Er Wang San Ke

Erwang Sanke (二王三恪) or "the two crownings and the three respects" is something Chinese emperors did to honor the previous dynasty. For example the Sui dynasty came directly before the Tang. So the Tang may honor descendants of the Sui royal family. The Tang would do this by giving these Sui descendants land to rule over. The Tang said you can control these lands and use laws of the previous Sui dynasty if you wish. There may also be a sacrifice at a religious place.

This was done to show respect to previous dynasties. This was also to make a peaceful transition of power.

It has been done in every major Chinese dynasty from the Xia to the Qing.

Sometimes people would pretend to be the descendants of the previous dynasty just to get this benefit.

Name

Er wang 二王 means two rulers. This refers to the current ruler and the previous ruler.

San ke 三恪 means three respects. This could refer to how this was done for the first three generation descendants of the previous ruler (their children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren).

Er Wang San Ke Media

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  Qin Shi Huang, founder of the Qin dynasty, created the title of Huangdi, which is translated as "emperor" in English.

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  Consort Zhen, favoured consort of the Qing Guangxu Emperor (Template:Reigned 1871–1908)

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  2 pictures:Imperial Consort Jin (left)and Empress Long Yu (right)

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  Empress Dowager Cixi, Regent of China considered de facto sovereign of China for 47 years during AD 1861–1908

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  Bimian (鷩冕) and Cuimian (毳冕) ceremonial robes of regional lords (侯伯) and eldest son (of nobility) (子男), according to Zhou dynasty ceremony.

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  Funeral Drape of Lady Dai, personal name (married surname Li though in Chinese custom she may have used a maiden surname even after marriage) Xinzhui (辛追), Marchioness of Dai, wife of the first Marquis of Dai, personal name Li Cang (利蒼) who was appointed chancellor of Changsha Kingdom by the Han dynasty, Mawangdui