Preface to the Huang Clan Genealogy Bestowed by Emperor Taizong of Tang

唐太宗赐御撰《始修黄氏宗谱序》

Above Emperor Taizong of Tang 唐太宗 (AD 626-AD 649)

Qing Dynasty Painting (National Palace Museum, Taiwan)

In ancient China, only clans with certain degree of power and prestige in the society could call for an official compilation of genealogy. Official compilation of clan genealogy would require the consent of the Emperor, and only clans which had made important contributions to the country and society would receive such special honour. Although compilation of the Huang Clan Genealogy began during early Zhou dynasty (1122 BC- 256 BC), official compilation of the Huang Clan Genealogy began only during the Tang dynasty (AD 618-AD 907).

Below is the preface of the Huang Clan Genealogy bestowed by Emperor Taizong of Tang in the 12th year of Zhenguan 贞观 (AD 638), which was a great honour bestowed on the Huang clan:



“蓬蒿之松，必蓄数百年而后高耸；泛滥之泉，必流数百里而始汪洋；苟蓄不久，流不长，则劝；寻常之木，涓滴之水耳。求其高、汪洋曷得乎?吾人之族，亦如是焉。尔矣始祖南陆公一人也，必积几十年，几百年而后子孙以千百计；几千年而后子孙以千万计；百百千万人之身，其初一人之身也；百百千万人之心，亦一人之心也；见其庐，则思吾祖所居也。而企心生焉。见其祠，则思吾祖所祀也；而敬心生焉。见其山与田，则思吾祖所创也；而勤心生焉。或有鳏寡孤独，所当悯者而吾悯之；贫穷患难所当惜者，而吾惜之；冠，婚，丧，祭，所当助者，而吾助之。忠，孝，廉，节，所当劝者，而吾劝之；梗，顽，奢，傲，所当惩者，而吾惩之。黄氏族人，得此观感者，莫不尊卑蔼焉!仁义以相亲，长幼以相序；虽有迁从之际，死亡之异，而皆翕然曰：“吾祖在也!”是当吉相庆而凶相扶；是几得其仁让之凤，而不坠先人之志耳! 由是而观，则蓬蒿之松为栋为梁，泛滥之泉，为江为海；而一人之后，为故家，为巨族，为名门；从可知矣。猗欤休哉! 兹奉圣天子，饬音纶序侍御史黄毅字左弘，创修家乘，不敢违时，谨此特序，敬呈御览，御裁已定，饬交侍御史黄毅刊刷谱首，以昭皇恩浩荡，圣德优渥，足征，黄氏为显门巨族。



大唐贞观十二年岁次戊戌仲春月 谷旦
唐秘书郎岑文本盥手 拜撰



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