Interpretation of the Yao Clan Totem 

[Definition] The character "Yao" (姚) is composed of "Nü" (女 - woman) and "Zhao" (兆 - omen). "Zhao" is the original meaning. In ancient times, when performing divination, people would burn tortoise shells with fire and interpret the resulting cracks to determine good or bad fortune, a process known as Bu Zhao or Zhan Zhao. This carries the extended meaning of seeking omens or portents, implying the act of divining the unknown.

[Origin] Emperor Shun (Yu Shun) was born in "Yaoxu" (south of present-day Pucheng, Fan County, Henan). He adopted the name of his birthplace as his surname, forming the earliest Yao lineage in China. The Tongzhi Shizu lue (Compendium of Clans and Families) by Zheng Qiao of the Southern Song Dynasty records: "The Yao surname is the surname of Yu [Shun]. Emperor Yu was born in Yaoxu, and thus took his place of birth as his surname."

• Ancestral Founder: Emperor Shun (Yu Shun)

• Ancestral Homeland: Fan County, Henan

• Prefectural Seats (Junwang) and Hall Names: Wuxing, Nan'an; Shengren Hall (Hall of Holy Benevolence)

• Current Ranking / Population: 51st / Approx. 5.38 million

• Song Dynasty "Hundred Family Surnames" Rank: 101st

• Extant Genealogical Records: 239 volumes