Chengzong

Chengzong (成宗) is a temple name (miaohao) used in Chinese history to honor certain emperors after their death. Temple names are posthumous honorifics applied to rulers to commemorate their reigns and lineage. The characters 成 meaning “to accomplish” or “to succeed,” and 宗 meaning “ancestor” or “clan,” together are read as “Chengzong,” commonly translated as “Accomplished Ancestor” or “Completed Progenitor.” The practice of using temple names began in early imperial China and continued across various dynasties, though the conventions and choices of names varied by era and polity.

Chengzong is one of several temple names that were applied to rulers across different dynasties, rather than being a personal name. Because multiple emperors may be designated Chengzong in different historical periods, it is important to specify the dynasty and reign context when interpreting a reference. In historical records, a reference to “Chengzong” without additional context can be ambiguous, requiring corroboration from reign titles, personal names, or regnal lists.

In modern scholarship, Chengzong is discussed within the broader study of temple naming practices and posthumous honors in imperial China. See also temple name, posthumous name, and lists of Chinese monarchs by dynasty.