Hsien Yuan, the Yellow Emperor, has received unparalleled respect in Chinese history. The rulers of later generations and even the minority tribes like the Hsiung-nu and the Hsien-pei, all called themselves or were called the descendents of the Yellow Emperor. Down to the present day, the Chinese still feel proud and honored to be descendents of the Yellow Emperor.
During the time of the Yellow Emperor, the territory of China was relatively settled and a miniature model of state was assumed. Beginning with the reign of the Yellow Emperor, Chinese history becomes more systematic. Much of the ancient civilization of China was developed during the reign of the Yellow Emperor ranging from aspects as important as social systems and as minor as articles for everyday use.
According to the speculations of later generations, the period of the Yellow Emperor most likely had its beginning in the twenty-fourth century B.C. At that time, his territory extended eastward to the ocean; to the west it reached K’ung-t’ung, (located on the west side of the present-day city of Ping-liang in Kansu province). To the south it stretched to the Yangtze river, and to the north it bordered the area occupied by the Hsun-yu tribe. The territory covered a considerably large and extensive area.
Yellow Emperor
During the period of the Yellow Emperor, many extraordinary inventions
enabled society to progress rapidly. In the area of housing; the people abandoned the use of branches and leaves and instead used mud or stone, making their houses stronger and more practical. In the area of transportation, the wheel and vehicles were invented, enabling the people to travel to farther places. At the same time, small boats were invented which enabled the people to cross rivers or sail on streams. As for clothing, the Yellow Emperor taught the people how to strip animal skins and make garments out of them. Later, silk appeared, and noblemen started wearing clothing made of silk instead. With respect to tools, the people learned how to mold clay and bake it by firing, and to make pottery which could hold water and food.
All of these inventions enabled the people to live even better and more comfortable lives. Therefore, the people of later generations were all very grateful and regarded everything Chinese as having had its beginning with the Yellow Emperor.