Yao, Shun and Yu Ancient Kings

Yao Yao (尧) , Shun (舜) and Yu (禹) were all leaders of tribes. Yao was a man of integrity (品格高尚的人), and he wanted to find such a person to be his successor. He heard Shun was a great person, so he decided to observe and test him by marrying his own two daughters to him.

Shun Shun was treated very badly by his stepmother and her son, but he “paid back hatred with kindness”. Yao decided Shun was a great person, and gave his position to him. 禅让(demise) was used to determine successors of kings at that time.

Yu When Gun (鲧), Yu’s father was alive, there was always floods that threatened people’s life. Shun ordered Gun to build a water-control project. Gun simply built dams to keep water away, but the dams were damaged by floods. Shun killed Gun for not able to finish his task, and ordered Yu, Gun’s son to continue. Yu used a way different than his father to control floods. He dug ditches to connect rivers and the ocean, so water could flow to the ocean. He solved the problem so sucessfully that Shun decided he should be the next King. http://www.zxls.com/Article_113/2005102718150272-1.html

Yu’s Picture