The Zhai Clan#

Clan Name: Zhai, Pronunciation: zhái

Distribution of the Zhai Clan#

Over the course of its long history of growth and migration, the Zhai clan has developed the following regional branches:

• Ruanan Commandery: Established by Emperor Gao of Han, this region corresponds to the central and southern parts of present-day Henan Province and the area north of the Huai River in Anhui Province.
• Nanyang Commandery: Established by the Qin State during the Warring States period, this area is roughly equivalent to the Nanyang City in present-day Henan Province.

Origins of the Zhai Clan#

The Zhai surname has five possible origins:

1. From the Kui clan: The name Zhai originated from the Kui people, a nomadic tribe from the northern Central Plains during the Zhou Dynasty. During the Spring and Autumn period, the Kui people were active among the states of Jin, Wei, Qi, Lu, and Song, and adopted the Zhai surname. At the end of the 6th century BCE, the state of Jin conquered the Kui, and most of the Kui people became subjects of Jin, gradually assimilating into the Jin culture. Their descendants adopted the name of their former state as their surname. According to the "Guoyu Zhu," the Zhai clan in Xin'an descended from the Chidi people during the Spring and Autumn period and later changed their surname from "Di" to "Zhai."
2. From the Qi clan: Descendants of the Yellow Emperor Xuanyuan, they adopted the name of their former state as their surname.
3. From the Ji clan: The second son of King Cheng of Zhou was granted the fief of Zhai (located in present-day Luoyang, Henan Province), and his descendants took the name of the state as their surname.
4. From the Zhang clan: Some members of the Zhang clan in Jing County, Anhui Province, adopted the Zhai surname.
5. From other ethnic groups: Tribes such as the Bai people, who used the conch shell as a totem, also adopted the Zhai surname. Additionally, the Yao, Manchu, Mongol, and Hui ethnic groups also have members with the Zhai surname.

Ancestor of the Clan

The ancestor of the Zhai clan is Xuanyuan, the leader of the Yellow Emperor's tribe, who is also known as Youxiong. His tribe was originally settled on the northwest plateau and was part of the Yan-Huang tribal alliance. During the Spring and Autumn period, the Zhai state was conquered by the state of Jin, which was in turn conquered by the states of Han, Zhao, and Wei, and later by the state of Qin. During these prolonged wars, the Zhai people dispersed and adopted the name of their former state as their surname. Due to regional dialect differences, the surname Zhai was pronounced differently in different areas: "Di" in the north and "Zhai" in the south.

Migration and Distribution

According to the "Yuanhe Xingzuan," during the Spring and Autumn period, the Zhai clan lived in the northern regions (around present-day Yao and Fuping in Shaanxi Province). After the Zhai state was conquered by Jin, their descendants spread to present-day Shanxi and southern China. During the Han Dynasty, many Zhai people were recorded in historical documents. By the Wei and Jin dynasties, the Zhai clan had already spread to Henan, Shandong, and Shanxi. During the Northern and Southern Dynasties, they became particularly prominent in Ruanan and Nanyang. The Zhai family from Xunyang, Lujiang (present-day Huangmei, Hubei Province), was particularly notable, with famous members such as Zhai Zhuang, Zhai Jiao, Zhai Faci, and Zhai Guang. During the Sui and Tang dynasties, the Zhai clan continued to thrive in the north, especially in Henan. By the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period and the Song dynasties, they had spread to Shaanxi, Sichuan, and Jiangsu. During the Yuan dynasty, the Zhai clan migrated to northern China and established branches in Anhui and Jiangsu. In the late Song dynasty, the Mongols ruled the north, leading to widespread migration and the formation of the Ruanan and Nanyang branches of the Zhai clan.

Clan Halls

Common clan halls include "Chuanshi Hall" and "Chongwei Hall." "Chuanshi Hall" is named after Zhai Fu from the Han dynasty, who passed down the "Book of Songs" for four generations and held various high offices. "Chongwei Hall" is named after Zhai Guoru from the Ming dynasty, who sacrificed his life for the country while suppressing a rebellion in Yunnan and was honored with the title "Zhongxiao Hall" by the emperor.

Characteristics of the Clan

• The Zhai surname was initially pronounced "Di" but later changed to "Zhai."
• The story of Zhai Gong and the door that could be used to catch birds illustrates the changing nature of friendships over time.

Common Couplets for the Zhai Clan Ancestral Hall

• Four-character couplets:
  • "Grand talents are highly esteemed; noble deeds are always remembered." (Refers to Zhai Fu from the Han dynasty, who passed down the "Book of Songs" and held high offices.)
  • "Being enfeoffed as a marquis can prove the true nature of friends." (Refers to Zhai Tang from the Jin dynasty, known for his integrity and kindness.)

These couplets highlight the historical achievements and values of the Zhai clan.