The Cai Clan#

Clan Name: Cai, pronounced as “cài”

Geography of the Cai Clan#

Lankao County, Henan Province

Origins of the Cai Clan#

The name “Cai” originates from the Ji clan, with the surname being derived from the name of a state. According to the “Yuanhe Xing Zhuan” and the “Tongzhi·Shi Zhu Lue·Yi Guo Wei Shi,” after King Wu of Zhou defeated King Zhou of Shang in the 11th century BCE, his fifth son, Shu Du, was granted a fief in the state of Cai (located in the southwest of present-day Shangcai County, Henan Province), and was thus known as Cai Shu Du. After King Wu’s death, Cai Shu Du participated in the rebellion led by Wu Geng and was exiled as a result of his failure. Shu Du’s son, Hu, was known for his virtue and kindness; the Duke of Zhou recommended him to serve as a minister in the state of Lu. Later, Hu was granted the fief of Cai again and was called Cai Zhong Hu. During the reign of Cai Ping Hou, the capital was moved to Xin Cai, and during the reign of Cai Zhao Hou, it was moved to Zhou Lai (present-day Shouzhou). The Cai clan lasted for 26 generations through the Spring and Autumn period before being conquered by the state of Chu in 447 BCE. The descendants adopted the name of the state, “Cai,” as their surname. During the Northern and Southern Dynasties, the Later Zhou Dynasty ordered the Cai clan to change their surname to Dali Ji (a surname of Xianbei origin); however, they reverted to their original surname during the Sui Dynasty.