nterpretation of the Zhai (翟) Surname Totem

【Meaning】

The character Zhai (翟) refers to the Long-tailed Pheasant (Zhi). It is an ideogrammatic character composed of the radicals "Yu" (羽 - feather/wing) and "Zhui" (隹 - bird). The "Zhui" component represents birds in general, while the "Yu" on top indicates that this specific bird possesses exceptionally long and beautiful plumage. Historically, these feathers were highly valued for ceremonial fans and dancers' costumes.

【Origins】

1. Descendants of the Yellow Emperor (State Name): In high antiquity, the Zhai tribe (later the State of Zhai) was established in northern China by descendants of the Yellow Emperor (Xuan Yuan). During the Spring and Autumn period, the State of Zhai was annexed by the State of Jin. Later, Jin was partitioned into the states of Han, Zhao, and Wei, all of which were eventually conquered by the State of Qin during the Warring States period. Throughout these long periods of warfare, the people of Zhai adopted their original state name as their surname and migrated across the country.

2. From the Ji (姬) Surname (Fiefdom): King Cheng of the Zhou Dynasty enfeoffed his second son in Zhai (present-day Luoyang, Henan). His descendants subsequently adopted the name of the fief as their family name.

Historical & Demographic Profile

Category

Details

Founding Ancestors

Xuan Yuan (Yellow Emperor), Zhai Fu Ding

Ancestral Homeland

Xinzheng, Henan Province

Prefectural Mansions

Nanyang, Ruyang

Notable Hall Names

Chuanshi Hall (Hall of Transmitting the Odes), Chongwei Hall

Modern Ranking / Population

Ranked 125th / Approx. 1.49 million people

Song Dynasty Ranking

Ranked 112th in the Hundred Family Surnames

Extant Genealogies

33 volumes currently preserved

繁體中文版本 (Traditional Chinese)

翟氏圖騰釋義

【釋義】

「翟」即雉，也就是長尾山雞。這是一個會意字，由「羽」與「隹」組成。「隹」部代表鳥類，上方的「羽」字則表明這種鳥擁有長而華麗的羽毛。在古代，翟鳥的羽毛常被用於製作禮儀用的羽扇或舞者的頭飾。

【起源】

1. 源於黃帝後裔（以國為氏）： 上古時期，北方有翟族（後稱翟國），是由黃帝軒轅氏的後裔所建立。春秋時期，翟國被晉國所滅；其後晉國被韓、趙、魏三家瓜分；到了戰國末期，這三國又先後被秦國所滅。在長期的戰亂中，翟國人以故國名「翟」為姓，遷居各地。

2. 源於姬姓（以邑為氏）： 周成王將其次子封於「翟」（今河南洛陽），其後裔以封地邑名為氏，世代相傳為翟氏。

歷史與人口概況

類別

詳情

得姓始祖

軒轅（黃帝）、翟父鼎

始祖地

河南新鄭

郡望

南陽、汝陽

堂號

傳詩堂、寵畏堂

當今排序/人口

第125位 / 約149萬人

宋朝百家姓排序

第112位

現存家譜

33部