娄姓
The Lou clan, with origins tracing back to Xianbei compound surnames and the ancient Zhilou state, is a lesser-known Chinese surname. Historically distributed in regions like Anhui and Shandong, it has produced notable figures such as Ming poet Lou Jian and Yuan painter Lou Zhongying.
The Lou Clan
Clan Name: Lou, Pronunciation: lóu
Regions Where the Lou Clan Is Found**
Bo County, Anhui Province
Origin of the Lou Clan
The origin of the Lou clan can be traced to two sources:
- The Lou clan originated from the compound surnames of the ancient Xianbei people. According to the “Weishu · Guanshi Zhi,” during the Northern and Southern Dynasties, the Xianbei tribes included the Pilou (also known as Diliou), Yilou, Gailou, and Yinalou (also written as Yinaolu or Yinalou) clans. After moving to the Central Plains, these clans all changed their surnames to Lou.
- Another origin of the Lou clan is derived from the names of ancient states. The “Fengsu Tongyi” mentions that during the Spring and Autumn period, there was a state called Zhilou (located in the area of present-day Zoucheng City, Shandong Province). Descendants of this state adopted the surname Lou as their own.
Distribution of the Clan
The Lou clan is not among the top 100 most common surnames in either mainland China or Taiwan. The Lou clan is descended from the Si clan and is a descendant of the great Yu. After King Wu of Zhou overthrew the Shang Dynasty, he granted the descendants of Emperor Shao Kang of the Xia Dynasty the state of Qi (in present-day Qixian County, Henan Province). During the Spring and Autumn period, the state of Qi was forced to move eastward due to threats from surrounding states. A branch of the Qi royal family was granted a fief in Louyi (southwest of present-day Zhucheng, Shandong Province), and they later adopted the surname Lou. Additionally, during the Northern Wei Dynasty, the Pilou, Yilou, Qilou, and Yinalou clans all changed their surnames to Lou. The Lou clan traditionally resided in the Qiao commandery (within present-day Anhui Province).
Notable Figures with the Surname Lou
- Lou Jian: A poet from the Ming Dynasty. He was known for his poetry and calligraphy. His works, along with those of Sheng Xingxiu, Chen Jiasui, Li Liufang, and others from the Tang Dynasty, were collected in the “Jiading Si Xiansheng Ji” (Collection of the Four Masters of Jiading).
- Lou Liang: Also from Shangrao, he authored “Rilu” (Daily Records) in 40 volumes and “Sanli Ding E” (Corrections to the Three Rites) in 40 volumes. He argued that the “Zhou Li” (Rites of Zhou) represented the rituals of the emperor and thus the state, while the “Yi Li” (Rites of Etiquette) pertained to the rituals of officials, nobles, scholars, and commoners. He considered the “Liji” (Book of Rites) as a commentary on the other two classics, attaching it to the relevant sections of the “Zhou Li.” For sections that could not be directly linked to either classic, he placed them after the two main classics. His interpretations were rejected by some Confucian scholars. He also wrote “Chunqiu Benyi” (The True Meaning of the Spring and Autumn Annals), in which he questioned the accuracy of the traditional commentaries, stating, “Right and wrong must be determined by the three commentaries; otherwise, the ‘Spring and Autumn Annals’ would be considered a discarded text.”
- Lou Zhongying: A painter from the Yuan Dynasty known for his landscape paintings, especially his “Shanju Tu” (Mountain Dwelling Painting).