The Chinese title of these lords was
Wáng (), which was held by the "emperors" of the
Shang and
Zhou dynasties and by the "kings" of the
Warring States. The English translation of "prince" is generally preferred for these Ming rulers, however, owing to their extremely limited authority.
Royal and noble ranks of the Ming dynasty Source:
Male members •
Crown prince, Great Imperial Son (, Huang
Taizi), for eldest son and heir of an Emperor. • Crown prince, Great Imperial Grandson (), for the eldest son of a crown prince. • First-rank
Prince (), for imperial son except the crown prince. • Hereditary Prince, Princely Son (), for the eldest son and heir apparent of a 1st rank prince. • Hereditary Prince, Princely Grandson (), for the eldest son of a hereditary prince. Some princes had passed their principalities to their great-grandson too, their heir-apparent namely called "shizengsun" (, Princely Great-Grandson). • Second-rank
commandery prince (or "Prince of XXX Commanders"), for all other sons of a crown prince and first-rank prince except their heir apparent. • Commandery chief son (), for the eldest son and heir apparent of a commandery prince. • Commandery chief grandson (), for the eldest son of a chief son. • Defender general (), for all other sons of a second-rank commandery prince except his heir apparent. The privilege of this title was the same as first junior-rank officers. • Bulwark general (), for the son of a defender general. The privilege was the same as second junior-rank officers. Some younger sons of commandery princes were mothered by their concubinage, or if they have offended, they would be made the title bulwark general. • Supporter General (), for the son of a bulwark general. The privilege was the same as third junior-rank officers. • Defender lieutenant (), for the son of a supporter general. The privilege was the same as fourth junior-rank officers. • Defender lieutenant's primary consort would title reverent lady (). • Bulwark lieutenant (), for the son of a defender lieutenant. The privilege was the same as fifth junior-rank officers. • Bulwark lieutenant's primary consort would title proper lady (). • Supporter lieutenant (), for the son of a bulwark lieutenant. The privilege was the same as sixth junior-rank officers. • Supporter lieutenant's primary consort would title peace lady (). Son of a supporter lieutenant would be made the title of supporter lieutenant.
Female members •
Princess (), for daughters, sisters, and paternal aunts of emperors. • Prince Consort Commander (), for the imperial son-in-law, and consorts to an emperor's sister or paternal aunt •
Commandery princess (), for the daughter of a crown prince or first-rank prince. • County princess (), for the daughter of a commandery prince. • Commandery lady (), for the daughter of a defender general. • County lady (), for the daughter of a bulwark general. • Village lady (), for the daughter of a supporter general. • Clanswoman (), for the daughter of a lieutenant. Except for imperial daughter and clanswoman, all of the consorts of these female members would be titled "yibin" (), their ranks apart were the same 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 6th junior-rank officials Offenders imperial member called as Commoner (). If a 1st-rank prince was demoted, the imperial court would appoint one of their peerage members to presided the other members of the peerage, and namely called them as "clan councilor" (). As the serious population growth of the imperial members during
Wanli Emperor's reign, the emperor altered the salaries and restricted the succession orders for imperial members. The new succession order for a first-rank prince was: if a first-rank prince has no son to succeed his principality, a second-rank commandery prince (start from his brother and his brother's descendants, then paternal uncle, and his uncle's descendants, so on and so forth) still could succeed the principal. However, except for the successor's eldest son who would be the new heir for principality, all other younger sons of the successor could not promoted to the rank of second-rank princes even though they are sons of a first-rank prince. They could only held the title of defender general based on their father's original second-princely title designation. ==History==