Qing Dynasty Nobility - Nobility

Nobility

The following are the nine grades of the peerage awarded for valour, achievement and distinction. All but the lowest two grades are further divided into sub-classes.

  • Min gong (Chinese: 民公; pinyin: mín gōng; literally "commoner duke"), commonly simplified to gong, translated as "Duke". This title is different from guo gong, because the latter was reserved for only members of the imperial clan.
  • Hou (Chinese: 侯; pinyin: hóu; Manchu: ho), translated as "Marquis" or "Marquess".
  • Bo (Chinese: 伯; pinyin: bó; Manchu: be), translated as "Count".
  • Zi (Chinese: 子; pinyin: zǐ; Manchu: jinkini hafan), translated as "Viscount".
  • Nan (Chinese: 男; pinyin: nán; Manchu: ashan-i hafan), translated as "Baron".
  • Qingche duwei (simplified Chinese: 轻车都尉; traditional Chinese: 輕車都尉; pinyin: qīngchē dūwèi; literally "Chief Commander of Light Chariot"; Manchu: adaha hafan), rough equivalent of Knight Grand Cross of a chivalric order.
  • Qiduwei (simplified Chinese: 骑都尉; traditional Chinese: 騎都尉; pinyin: qídūwèi; literally "Chief Commander of Cavalry"; Manchu: baitalabura hafan), rough equivalent of Knight Commander or Grand Officer of a chivalric order.
  • Yunqiwei (simplified Chinese: 云骑尉; traditional Chinese: 雲騎尉; pinyin: yúnqíwèi; literally "Commander of Cavalry of the Cloud"; Manchu: tuwašara hafan), rough equivalent of Companion or Commander of a chivalric order.
  • Enqiwei (simplified Chinese: 恩骑尉; traditional Chinese: 恩騎尉; pinyin: ēnqíwèi; literally "Commander of Cavalry by Grace"; Manchu: kesingge hafan), rough equivalent of Officer of a chivalric order.

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