Taizu

Taizu (太祖) is a temple name used in Chinese, Korean, and Vietnamese historiography to honor the founder or a key progenitor of a dynasty. Literally meaning "Great Ancestor" or "Grand Progenitor," the title is part of a posthumous naming system whereby a ruler is reverently referred to by a temple name in historical records. In Chinese, Taizu is typically rendered as Taizu; in Korea the corresponding title is Taejo (태조), and in Vietnamese sources the equivalent is Thái Tổ.

Notable bearers of the Chinese title include Song Taizu, the founder Zhao Kuangyin of the Song Dynasty, who reigned from 960 to 976. Ming Taizu, born Zhu Yuanzhang, founded the Ming Dynasty and ruled from 1368 to 1398. The use of Taizu is a conventional temple-name for the dynasty's founding emperor when later biographers discuss the dynasty's origins.

Beyond China, the concept of a founding emperor designated Taizu or its local equivalent is common in East Asia; Taejo remains the Korean form for Joseon's founder Yi Seong-gye, and Thái Tổ is the Vietnamese equivalent used for Lê Thái Tổ and other founders. The temple-name system is distinct from era names and personal given names and is usually used in ritual and formal inscription contexts rather than everyday reference.