毕姓
The Bi surname, ranked 125th in China, originates from King Wen of Zhou's son Bi Gong Gao, with roots in Henan, Shandong, and Shanxi. It evolved from the Ji and Ren surnames and spread during the Zhou dynasty, with notable individuals like author Bi Shimen.
The Bi Family
Surname: Bi, Pronunciation: bì
Regions Where the Bi Surname is Found**
- He Nei County, Henan Province
- Dong Ping County, Shandong Province
- Tai Yuan County, Shanxi Province
- Henan County, Henan Province
Origin of the Bi Surname**
The Bi surname ranks 125th among the most common surnames in China, with a significant population, accounting for approximately 0.011% of the total Han population in the country.
Origins of the Bi Surname: There are three main origins of the Bi surname:
- Deriving from the Ji surname: It originates from Gao, the 15th son of King Wen of Zhou. Gao was granted the state of Bi (located north of present-day Chang'an and Xianyang in Shaanxi Province), and thus the surname Bi was established. Gao's son, Bi Wan Shi Jin, was later granted the state of Wei, and his descendants changed their surname to Wei, which became a prominent surname during the Warring States period. Those who remained in the state of Bi continued to use the state name as their surname.
- Changing from the Ren surname: According to historical records, the Bi surname also originated from the Ren surname.
- From other ethnic groups and minorities: Some Bi surnames have emerged from other ethnic backgrounds.
Founding Patriarch of the Bi Surname: Bi Gong Gao, a renowned politician in the early Zhou Dynasty. According to historical texts, Gao was the 15th son of King Wen of Zhou and was granted the state of Bi. He became one of the "Four Sages of the early Zhou Dynasty" for his wise governance and humanitarian actions. After King Wu of Zhou's death, he played a key role in governing the state and contributed to its economic and cultural development.
Migration and Spread: The state of Bi was located north of present-day Chang'an and Xianyang in Shaanxi Province. During the Spring and Autumn period, Bi Wan Shi Jin served in the state of Jin and was granted the state of Wei. By the time of Wei Wen Hou, some Bi descendants changed their surname to Wei. Despite this, the Bi surname became firmly established in Shanxi. During the Warring States period, the Bi surname spread to other regions, such as Shandong. In the Qin and Han dynasties, the Bi surname continued to thrive in various parts of China.
Notable Individuals with the Bi Surname:
- Bi Shumin: A female author born in 1952 in Xinjiang. She studied at a school affiliated with Beijing Foreign Studies University and served in the army for 11 years on the Tibetan plateau. After retiring from the military, she became a writer and has won numerous literary awards, including the Zhuangzhong Literature Award, the Baihua Award (for four, five, and six editions of the "Novel Monthly"), the Contemporary Literature Award, the Chen Bochui Literature Award, the Beijing Literature Award, and the Taiwan China Times Literature Award. She is a first-class writer in China and holds a master's degree in literature from Beijing Normal University.