Boyi
Bóyì
- Dates
- From Shun and Yu to the accession of Qi
- Story era
- Early civilizations
- Identity
- Historical person
- Names and titles
- Yi; Dafei; Boyi; Baiyi
- Evidence conclusion
- Flood-control assistant and succession figure with early texts; identity and accession process vary
- Earliest source
- Traditions of Yi, flood control and succession in Shangshu, Mencius and Shiji
- Formative period
- Joined to early Xia succession and ancestry of the Ying lineage from pre-imperial through Han times
Overview
Early traditions associate Boyi with mountains, marshes, plants, animals and assistance in Yu’s work. Texts do not always identify Yi, Boyi and other similarly written names in the same way.
The Annals of Xia says Yu chose Yi after Gaoyao died and that the lords later turned to Qi; Mencius explains Yi’s withdrawal and popular allegiance differently.
Boyi therefore joins collaborative flood control, merit succession and hereditary rule. Candidates, length of authority and conflict must remain variant.
Source composition (cross-referenced)
Tagged sourcesTextual evidence
Shangshu, Mencius and Shiji preserve duties and succession in forms that require comparison.
Narrative evolution
Boyi therefore joins collaborative flood control, merit succession and hereditary rule. Candidates, length of authority and conflict must remain variant.
Popular tradition
Boyi assists Yu in water control and managing mountains and marshes, then withdraws after Qi gains the allegiance of the lords.
Reading the sources
Flood-control assistant and succession figure with early texts; identity and accession process vary
Shangshu, Mencius and Shiji preserve duties and succession in forms that require comparison.
References
- Traditions around Yi Ji in Shangshu
- Mencius: Wan Zhang I
- Shiji: Annals of Xia