Kangxi Emperor
/ˌkɑːŋˈʃiː ˈɛmpərər/noun
The fourth emperor of China’s Qing dynasty, Xuanye, who ruled from 1661 to 1722 under the reign name Kangxi.
Did you know?Kangxi was not the emperor’s personal name but his reign title, a carefully chosen auspicious phrase intended to project cosmic stability and prosperous rule.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient China
Classical Chinese
康熙
“Auspicious characters meaning health, peace, prosperity, or flourishing.”
1661
Manchu Qing China
Xuanye 玄燁
“Xuanye, the personal name of the young Qing ruler who became emperor.”
1662–1722
Chinese
Kangxi 康熙
“The adopted reign name, conventionally interpreted as “lasting peace and prosperity.””
Latin Antiquity
Latin
imperātor
“A commander or victorious military leader; the source of English emperor.”
Middle English
English
emperour
“An emperor or supreme ruler, borrowed through Old French from Latin.”
Modern English
English
Kangxi Emperor
“The standard English title for Qing ruler Xuanye, who reigned from 1661 to 1722.”