Dynasties in Chinese History

click to see more details of Chinese Dynasties

歷史朝代歌

唐堯虞舜夏商周 春秋戰國亂悠悠

秦漢三國晉統一 南朝北朝是對頭

隋唐五代又十國 宋元明清帝王休

历史朝代歌

唐尧虞舜夏商周 春秋战国乱悠悠

秦汉三国晋统一 南朝北朝是对头

隋唐五代又十国 宋元明清帝王休

Cycle of Chinese Dynasties

According to Chinese political theory, every dynasty goes through a dynastic cycle.

1. A new ruler: Unites China, founds a new dynasty, and gains the Mandate of Heaven. ^{[1]（天命）}
2. China, under the new dynasty, achieves prosperity and a new golden age. ^{[2]（太平盛世）}
3. The population increases ^[3]
4. Corruption becomes rampant in the imperial court, and the empire begins to enter decline and instability.^{[4]（衰敗）}
5. A natural disaster wipes out farm land. The disaster normally would not have been a problem; however, together with the corruption and overpopulation it causes famine.^[5]
6. The famine causes the population to rebel and starts a civil war ^{[6]（内亂/内乱）}
7. The ruler loses the Mandate of Heaven. ^{[7] [8]（喪失天命）}
8. The population decreases because of the violence ^[9]
9. China goes through a warring states period ^[10]
10. One state emerges victorious ^[11]
11. The state starts a new empire ^{[12] [13]}
12. The empire gains the Mandate of Heaven. ^{[14] [15]}

(The cycle repeats itself)