Duan Yu Explained

Emperor Xianzong of Dali
Birth Date:1083
Family Name:Duan (段)
Given Name:Yu (譽) or Heyu (和譽); later changed to Zhengyan (正嚴)
Dharma name: Guanghong (廣弘)
Succession:Emperor of Dali
Reign:1108–1147
Predecessor:Duan Zhengchun
Successor:Duan Zhengxing
Reg-Type:Grand Chancellors
Regent:Gao Taiming (高泰明) (1108–1116)
Gao Taiyun (高泰運) (1116–1119)
Gao Mingshun (高明順) (1119–1129)
Gao Shunzhen (高順貞) (1129–1141)
Gao Liangcheng (高量成) (1141–1147)
Dynasty:Dali
Era Dates:Rixin (日新): 1108–1109
Wenzhi (文治): 1110–1121
Jiayong (嘉永): 1122–1128
Baotian (保天): 1129–1137
Guangyun (廣運): 1138–1147
Temple Name:Xianzong (憲宗)
Posthumous Name:Emperor Xuanren (宣仁皇帝)
T:段譽
S:段誉
P:Duàn Yù

Duan Yu (1083–1176), courtesy name Heyu, also known by his temple name as the Emperor Xianzong of Dali, was the 16th[1] emperor of the Dali Kingdom, reigning between 1108 and 1147. Following a family tradition, Duan's father, Duan Zhengchun, abdicated and became a monk in 1108. Duan succeeded his father as the emperor of Dali and renamed himself Duan Zhengyan (段正嚴). He abdicated and became a monk in 1147 and was succeeded by his son Duan Zhengxing.

In fiction

Duan Yu is fictionalized as one of the main characters in the wuxia Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils by Louis Cha.

Notes and References

  1. If Gao Shengtai's reign is taken into consideration, Duan Yu would have been the 17th emperor. See http://wiki.zupulu.com/topic.php?action=resumesview&topicid=979 .