The founding Emperor of the Shu-Han, Liu Bei was a man who descended from Emperor Jing, once Emperor of the Han Dynasty. In 221 A.D. Liu Bei followed in his ancestors footsteps by founding his own empire.
Biography[]
Liu Bei was born in Zhuo commandery in 161 A.D. His family claimed descent from Emperor Jing of Former Han through the kings of Zhongshan and a short-lived fief in Zhuo commandery held by a cadet lineage.
His grandfather, Liu Xiong, was a country magistrate and his father Liu Hong held office in the local administration.
Liu Bei lost his father when he was still young and Liu Bei lived a poor life. His mother maintained the family by selling straw sandals. In a corner of their small property there was a mulberry tree over fifteen feet tall,[1] shaped like an umbrella of the chariot. The tree held some superstitious value, people who saw it from afar took it as a sign of future fame and honour. Liu Bei agreed on this, but his uncle Liu Zijing suggested that Liu Bei would only bring his family to ruin.[2]
Studying under Lu Zhi[]
In 175 A.D. Liu Bei was sent to study by his mother. He took lessons from Lu Zhi, a distinguished man of the commandery who was an Academician at the University of Luoyang.
Yellow Turban Rebellion[]
Family[]
- Ancestor
- Emperor Jing of Han
- Grand Father
- Liu Xiong, father of Liu Hong
- Parents
- Liu Hong, son of Liu Xiong, died when Liu Bei was young.
- Wives
- Lady Mi
- Lady Sun
- Empress Wu
- Sons
- Liu Shan
- Liu Yong
- Liu Li
- Liu Feng
Art gallery preview[]
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Notes[]
Fact vs. Fiction[]
- Historically, Liu Bei did not swear an oath of brotherhood with Zhang Fei and Guan Yu.
read about this fictional event here. - Historically, Liu Bei, Zhang Fei and Guan Yu did not rescue Dong Zhuo during the Yellow Turban Rebellion.