The nobility of China were an important feature of traditional social and political organization of the Chinese civilization. While the concepts of hereditary titles and noble families were featured as early as the semi-mythical early historical period, a settled system of nobility was established from the Zhou Dynasty. In the subsequent millennia, this system was largely maintained in form, with some changes and additions, although the content c...
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The nobility of China were an important feature of traditional social and political organization of the Chinese civilization. While the concepts of hereditary titles and noble families were featured as early as the semi-mythical early historical period, a settled system of nobility was established from the Zhou Dynasty. In the subsequent millennia, this system was largely maintained in form, with some changes and additions, although the content constantly evolved. The last, well-developed system of noble titles was established under the Qing Dynasty. In 1911, the overthrow of the imperial system saw the dissolution of the nobility. Though some noble families maintained their titles and dignity for a time, new political and economic circumstances forced their decline. The fact that most existing nobles were of the Manchu ethnicity, a ruling elite under the Qing dynasty, but an ethnic minority like any other under the new Republic, resulted in minimal popular recognition of their...
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