The Controversy Over Li Shimin’s Ancestry

Emperor Taizong of Tang, Li Shimin, is celebrated as one of China’s most capable rulers, presiding over the golden “Zhenguan Era” (627–649 CE). Yet behind his political achievements lies a contentious debate: Was this foundational Tang emperor of Han Chinese descent, or did he have nomadic Xianbei ancestry?

Traditional historiography, particularly the Old and New Book of Tang, traces Li Shimin’s lineage to Li Gao, the 4th-century ruler of the Western Liang kingdom and a purported descendant of Han dynasty general Li Guang. This claim bolstered the Tang imperial family’s prestige by linking them to China’s martial and aristocratic traditions. However, dissenting voices emerged even during the Tang era. The monk Falin boldly challenged this genealogy, asserting that the Li family descended from the Xianbei Tuoba clan—a claim that nearly cost him his life.

Evidence for Xianbei Heritage

Several historical clues suggest non-Han origins:

1. Naming Conventions: Li Shimin’s ancestors bore names like “Qidou” (乞豆) and “Damuo” (达摩), atypical for Han families but common among northern nomadic groups.
2. Physical Depictions: Yan Liben’s Portrait of the Emperor on a Sedan Chair shows Li Shimin with a robust physique and curled facial hair—features often associated with Central Asian peoples.
3. Cultural Practices: The Tang imperial family exhibited customs alien to Han norms, including levirate-like marriages (e.g., Emperor Gaozong marrying his father’s concubine Wu Zetian) and the prominent display of equestrian statues (“Six Steeds of Zhaoling”) at Li Shimin’s mausoleum.

Counterarguments for Han Identity

Skeptics dismiss these claims:
– Artistic License: Yan Liben’s portrait may have exaggerated features for symbolic effect.
– Historical Precedents: Fratricidal power struggles (e.g., the Xuanwu Gate Incident) occurred in both Han and nomadic dynasties.
– Equestrian Culture: Han elites like Xiang Yu and Emperor Wu of Han also revered warhorses, undermining the “nomadic” interpretation.

The Hybridity Thesis

Modern scholars increasingly favor a middle ground: Li Shimin likely embodied the ethnic blending characteristic of the Sui-Tang transition. Key points include:
– Maternal Lineage: His grandmother was from the Xianbei Dugu clan, and his mother, Lady Dou, had probable Xiongnu ancestry.
– Political Pragmatism: The Tang founders strategically adopted both Han (e.g., claiming Laozi as an ancestor) and nomadic legitimizing narratives.
– Cultural Policy: Li Shimin’s famous declaration—”I value both Chinese and barbarians as one”—reflects this syncretism (recorded in the Zizhi Tongjian).

Legacy Beyond Ethnicity

The debate ultimately underscores the Tang’s multicultural foundations. As historian Chen Yinke noted, the dynasty’s vitality stemmed from infusing “the vigorous blood of the frontiers” into Central Plains civilization. Whether Han, Xianbei, or mixed, Li Shimin’s reign exemplified how ethnic diversity fueled one of China’s most cosmopolitan eras—a lesson resonating in today’s discussions of pluralism.

In assessing the “Great Ancestor” (as later eras dubbed him), perhaps the salient fact isn’t his bloodline, but his vision: a empire where, as he proclaimed, “all tribes under heaven unite as family.”