Digging into Henan: How Deep Do Its Place Names Go?
▲ Fenglinxia in Jiaozuo, Henan. Photo by Zhu Shuwen
It is said that a person's name reflects their temperament. Similarly, the place names of a region can reveal the character of the land.
For example, the northeastern place names full of local flavor: Datudingzi, Laotudingzi, Yanconglazi... The wild Chongqing place names: Maoxiangou, Ya'erdang, Niushitan... Or the poetic and ethereal Zhejiang place names: Xianju, Hangzhou, Chun'an...
▲ Luoyi Ancient City. Photo by Apache
If the place names of Henan are unfolded, the ancient charm of Chinese history is undoubtedly fully displayed.
Chinese History Carved in Place Names
When it comes to the longstanding "big brother" of the Chinese land, Henan undoubtedly takes the crown.
▲ Luoyang Zhuying Pagoda. Photo by Apache
Chinese people regard the "center" as the most revered. Henan, once known as the "Central Plains," "Central Region," and "Middle Land," has always maintained its centrality, highlighting its extraordinary status. The Tang Dynasty minister Du You wrote in *Tongdian*: "China resides in the center of the land, where all things receive the purest energy." This means Henan, located at the center of the world, enjoys a uniquely favorable environment conducive to the growth of all things. Such a treasure land naturally became a coveted and contested place for rulers throughout history.
▲ Half of China's Eight Ancient Capitals are in Henan. Chart by Wu Pan
Since the era of the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors, more than 200 emperors from over 20 dynasties have left their footprints on Henan's land, whether by launching military campaigns or governing and realizing their political ambitions.
▲ Statues of Emperor Yan and Emperor Huang. Photo by Jiao Xiaoxiang
Events that shaped Chinese history, such as King Wu's conquest of King Zhou, Wu Zetian's accession in Dengfeng, and Shun's abdication to Yu, have left indelible marks in Henan's place names.
▲ Historical Origins of Henan Place Names. Chart by Monk
Today's Xiping in Zhumadian was originally the hometown of Leizu, the first consort of the Yellow Emperor. Shangqiu, the capital of ancient emperors Zhuanxu and Diku, was named "Shang" because it corresponded to the Shang star. Diku's son Xie, who assisted Yu in flood control, was enfeoffed in Shang and became the ancestor of the Shang people. Around the 16th century BC, Xie's 13th-generation descendant, Cheng Tang, overthrew the Xia Dynasty and established the Shang Dynasty, initially capitalizing at Nanbo (south of present-day Shangqiu). Later, the Shang people moved their capital to Xibo (present-day Yanshi) and Yin (present-day Anyang), among other places, and the original capital was called Shangqiu.
▲ Shangqiu Guide Ancient City. Photo by Fu Ding
Taikang in Zhoukou was named after the ancient Taikang and was a city built during the time of Yu the Great. Taikang was the third king of the Xia Dynasty, and the place was named after him. Dengzhou originated from the Deng State, a vassal state of the Zhou Dynasty, and is also the birthplace of the Deng surname in China. Qi County in Kaifeng traces its origins to the ancient Qi State of the Shang Dynasty. As a small state, Qi was often invaded by larger states, fostering a strong sense of crisis among its people. The idiom "杞人忧天" (like the man of Qi who feared the sky might fall) is used today to describe unnecessary anxiety, which is closely related to this mindset of the Qi people.
▲ Pottery warrior figurines in the Western Han Dynasty Liang Kingdom royal tombs in Mangdang Mountain. Image/VCG
During the Zhou Dynasty, King Wu alone left many lasting footprints in Henan on his campaign to overthrow King Zhou of Shang:
▲ Xiaolangdi Reservoir Area in Mengjin. Photo by Shi Yaochen
Luoyang Mengjin was formerly the territory of the ancient Mengtu State and an important ferry crossing on the Yellow River in the northeast of ancient Luoyang. At the end of the Shang Dynasty, King Wu of Zhou convened a covenant with feudal lords here during his campaign against King Zhou, hence the name Mengjin (Alliance Ferry), which gradually evolved into Mengjin.
Jiaozuo Xiuwu: It is said that King Wu of Zhou encountered rain on his way to attack King Zhou and temporarily stationed here to train his troops, hence the name Xiuwu (Cultivate Military). Luoyang Yanshi: After King Wu conquered King Zhou, he withdrew his troops to Xibo, disbanded the army, released the horses back to nature and the cattle to Taolin, symbolizing the end of military campaigns. Thus, the place was named Yanshi (Rest the Army), and from the Zhou Dynasty onward, Xibo came to be known as Yanshi.
▲ Xiuwu Yuntai Mountain. Photo/Shi Yaochen
During the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods, the State of Zheng was the origin of Zhengzhou and Xinzheng. Also, Yexian in Pingdingshan, known as the location of the famous story "Lord Ye's Love of Dragons," was originally the fief of Lord Ye, a senior official of the State of Chu during the Spring and Autumn period.
▲ Zhengzhou Gongyi Grottoes Temple. Photo/Shi Yaochen
During the Tang Dynasty, Empress Wu Zetian "climbed Mount Song and conferred the title of Central Peak." To proclaim this to the world, she renamed Songyang County as Dengfeng County to commemorate her ascension to the throne.
▲ Mount Song. Photo/Wu Xuewen
Although subsequent dynasties such as the Five Dynasties and the Northern Song also established capitals in Henan, many place names largely followed previous conventions. It can be said that Henan witnessed the peak and glory of ancient Chinese civilization. These place names serve as beacons and coordinates in the long river of history, revealing the origins of Chinese civilization to its descendants.
Place Names Derived from Landscapes
Water nourishes human life and nurtures human civilization.
▲ The Yellow River flows through eight prefecture-level cities in Henan: Sanmenxia, Jiyuan, Luoyang, Zhengzhou, Jiaozuo, Xinxiang, Kaifeng, and Puyang. Photo/Chen Le
Henan is located south of the Yellow River, the mother river of Chinese civilization, and is crisscrossed by four major water systems: the Huai River, Wei River, and Han River. Many place names in Henan are related to water: Jiyuan, Yichuan, Linying, Ruzhou, Huangchuan, Luohe, etc. These places are either located at the source of their corresponding rivers, along riverbanks, or traversed by rivers. These rivers not only laid the foundation for Henan to become a major grain-producing province but also endowed it with vitality and inclusiveness.
▲ Naming Methods of Henan Place Names: Landscape Orientation. Map/Monk
Henan also has many place names containing the character "yang" (sun, often indicating north of a river). Most of these places are located north of rivers: Luoyang is north of the Luo River (now the Luohe River); Huaiyang is north of the Huai River (now the Huaihe River); Biyang is north of the Bi River (now the Biyang River); Puyang is north of the Pu River, etc.
▲ Schematic Diagram of Henan's Water System Distribution. Map/Monk
Another unique water-related place in Henan is Sanmenxia (Three Gates Gorge), the last gorge before the Yellow River enters the great plains and the most perilous one. The terrain is rugged, the currents swift, and the cliffs on both banks are steep. Two rocky islands in the river divide the torrent into three channels. These channels are named "Renmen" (Human Gate), "Shenmen" (Divine Gate), and "Guimen" (Ghost Gate), hence the name Sanmenxia. The Ghost and Divine Gates are treacherous, seemingly passable only by spirits, while the Human Gate is slightly calmer but still deep and rapid, making navigation difficult.
▲ Sanmenxia faces Yuanqu in Shanxi across the river. Photo/Kang Hui
Today, the "Three Gates Peril" no longer exists, replaced by a dam spanning the gorge like a silver ribbon connecting Shanxi and Henan. This is the Sanmenxia Key Water Control Project, the first large-scale hydraulic engineering project on the main stream of the Yellow River, constructed in 1957.
▲ Sanmenxia Key Water Control Project. Image/Visual China
Henan is also a capital of mountains. The Taihang Mountains, Zhongtiao Mountains, and Xiao Mountains in northwestern Henan, and the Waifang Mountains, Funiu Mountains, Tongbai Mountains, and Dabie Mountains in southwestern Henan form continuous ranges, encircling the central Henan plain like a "scimitar." Ancient people chose to live near mountains to avoid floods and because mountains were vital sources of livelihood resources. Thus, ancient people held mountains in high esteem and worshipped them.
▲ Schematic map of Henan's topography. Map by/Monk
When ancient people worshipped their ancestors, they also paid homage to heaven, earth, and the famous mountains and rivers of all directions. The purpose was precisely to "offer gratitude," treating mountains as deities to be revered. Thus, in ancient times, those who believed in mountain spirits used mountain names as place names to show respect.
Places named after mountains, such as Luoshan, Guangshan, Pingdingshan, Lushan, Zhongmu, and Tongbai, not only outline the direction of Henan's mountain ranges but also bring a sense of stability to the province.
▲ Laojun Mountain above the clouds. Photo by Zhu Zhe
Henan, Stabilizing the Central Plains
As the center of Chinese civilization, Henan has carried the beautiful aspirations of generations for this land. Place names such as Anyang, Luoning, Xuchang, Xinye, Yongcheng, Xin'an, Xinxian, and Gushi, as well as more modern ones like Bo'ai, Minquan, Sheqi, and Gongyi, have made Henan not just a place for military strategists to come and go but also a land imbued with human warmth.
▲ Naming methods of Henan place names: Aspirational. Map by/Monk
For example, Anyang: "An" means stability, the opposite of danger, and "Yang" means the sun, associated with spring, symbolizing vitality. Both "life" and "spring" are auspicious words. In 257 BCE (the 50th year of King Zhaoxiang of Qin), the Qin army captured the Wei state's Ningxinzhong邑. King Xiang renamed it Anyang to express hopes for peace and prosperity, a name that has endured for over 2,000 years.
▲ Yinxu Museum in Anyang. Photo/VCG
Xuchang was named Xuchang County by Emperor Wen of Wei during the Three Kingdoms period, as the foundation of Wei flourished here. Yongcheng in Shangqiu was first established as a county in the Sui Dynasty. Because the city repeatedly withstood water attacks without falling, it was named Yongcheng (Eternal City) as an auspicious sign. Gushi in Xinyang was established as a county in the Han Dynasty, with the meaning of "enduring stability begins here," symbolizing the auspiciousness of perpetuating descendants.
▲ Xinyang tea plantation. Photo by Jiao Xiaoxiang
Another example is Luoning in Luoyang. It was called Yongning County in the Sui Dynasty, meaning "to signify the end of warfare and peace in the villages." In 1914, it was renamed Luoning due to its proximity to the Luo River (now Luohe), conveying the meaning of peace and tranquility.
Additionally, Minquan in Shangqiu was established in 1928, taking the term "Minquan" (civil rights) from Sun Yat-sen's "Three Principles of the People" as the county name. Bo'ai in Jiaozuo was named in 1929 based on the term "Bo'ai" (universal love) from Sun Yat-sen's Outline for National Reconstruction.
After the establishment of New China, Sheqi in Nanyang, established in 1965, used a homophone to mean "holding high the socialist flag," reflecting the atmosphere of the times.
▲ Xinxian is not only a famous "General County" but also boasts stunning natural scenery. Photo by Shi Yaochen
Xinyang's Xinxian, known as the "General County" and the hometown of the Red Army, was originally called Jingfu County. It served as the foothold for Liu-Deng's army during their thousand-mile advance into the Dabie Mountains. It was the birthplace of main Red Army forces such as the Fourth Front Army, the 25th Army, and the 28th Army, and produced 43 renowned Republic generals like Xu Shiyou, Li Desheng, and Zheng Weishan, as well as over 50 high-ranking officials at the provincial or ministerial level. After Liu-Deng's army liberated the area in 1947, it was renamed Xinxian, with "Xin" (new) symbolizing the eternal vitality and progress of the future New China.
▲ North bank of Zhengzhou's Zhengxin Yellow River Bridge. Photo by Zhu Shuwen
Some say that Henan is to China what China is to the world. Henan is like a microcosm of China, guarding the roots of Chinese culture and continuously creating new miracles through accumulated strength.
▲ Fireworks over Luoyang's Yingtian Gate. Photo by Jiao Xiaoxiang
Give Henan a "like"—truly awesome!