Interpretation of the Wu (武) Clan Totem

Definition of the Character: "武" (Wu) has two interpretations: first, military force; second, the cessation of war. In Oracle Bone Script, the character is composed of "止" (Zhi/To Stop) and "戈" (Ge/Halberd). Philosophically, this defines "Martial" as the ability to "stay the blade" or stop conflict.

Origin: 1. Minister of Xia: After Hou Yi seized the throne from King Taikang of the Xia Dynasty, a virtuous minister named Wu Luo served at the capital of Zhenxun (modern-day southwest Gongyi, Henan). He is recorded as the earliest figure with the Wu surname. 2. King Wuding of Shang: After the Shang Dynasty moved its capital to Yin (modern-day Anying, Henan), King Wuding (Gaozong) appointed the former slave Fu Yue as his chancellor, leading to a golden age of prosperity. His descendants adopted his name as their surname. 3. Posthumous Title of Song: During the Zhou Dynasty, the 12th ruler of the State of Song (modern-day Shangqiu, Henan) was named Sikong. Upon his death, he was given the posthumous title "Wu," and became known as Duke Wu of Song. His descendants adopted this title as their surname.

• Ancestral Founder: Wuding

• Ancestral Homelands: Gongyi, Anyang, and Shangqiu (Henan Province)

• Prefectural Seats and Hall Names: Taiyuan, Peijun; Yuxin Hall

• Current Rank / Population: 98th most common / Approx. 2.39 million

• Song Dynasty "Hundred Family Surnames" Rank: 250th

• Extant Genealogies: 20 volumes