Interesting stories about Chinese history are really endless. Today, Lao Feng continues to explain interesting history to you.
Why did the emperor of ancient China call himself "I"? What does the word "正" mean? Why is the only emperor who can call himself "I" and others cannot use this word?
Many friends have this question, but they have never known the answer.
Today, Lao Feng will tell you the answer.
First of all, let’s review: “Zhen” as a Chinese character, what does it mean in the beginning.
In fact, the earliest meaning of the Chinese character "I" does not refer to "Emperor", but refers to "I", "I myself", "I myself" . This word was originally not exclusive to the emperor and can be used by everyone.
Let me give you a few examples to tell you why "子" was used by everyone in the early days.
For example: The earliest ancient book in my country that explains the meaning of words " Erya·Shigu " explains the word "Zhi" like this:
"I am the body."
In addition, another book "Shigu" explains Chinese characters also explains it in this way. It says:
"I am."
So before Qin Shihuang , many folk people called themselves "Zhi" in articles and poems. For example, there is a poem in " Li Sao ":
"Go back to my car and return to the road."
is fine. The examples are of essence, not many, and I won’t give examples anymore.
In short, after reading this, we all understand: in ancient China, the word "Zhen" in did not mean "Emperor" or "Lonely". The word "Zhen" actually means "I".
Moreover, in the early days of Chinese history, this word can be used by anyone, from the court to the countryside, everyone can use it.
So: The question is, when did the word "子" become a self-name for the emperor?
The answer is: In fact, it started with Qin Shihuang.
yes, it was Qin Shihuang who requisitioned the word "歌" and ordered the whole world: the word "歌" can only be used by the emperor, and no one except the emperor is allowed to use it.
However, in the dynasties before Qin Shihuang, the Chinese monarchs generally called themselves "orphan", "widow", "I King", etc., with various titles, but there was no one who called themselves "I".
Later, Qin Shihuang called himself emperor. He didn't know what allusion, so he requisitioned the word "歌" and stipulated that from now on, no one is allowed to use the word "歌". is the only one who uses the word "歌".
may be because Qin Shihuang particularly likes the word "正", so he requisitioned this word, or it may be for other reasons, which outsiders do not know. Moreover, as the age is long, it may be difficult to verify.
In short, since the time of Qin Shihuang, the word "I" has become the emperor's exclusive claim. No one can use this word except him. Otherwise, it is not a joke to deal with it as rebellion. You will be killed in every minute. To put it simply, that's it.
In the era of imperial autocracy, there are many things that we cannot understand. The emperor is the master of the world and the greatest overlord in the world. He wants to requisition a word, a person, an item. For him, it is a matter of one sentence. If anyone makes him the emperor, there is nothing he can do about it.
Qin Shihuang requisitioned the word "未", and from then on, others are not allowed to use
