Yi Yin

Yī Yǐn

Historical personEarly civilizations

Dates: Xia–Shang transition and early Shang
Story era: Early civilizations
Identity: Historical person

Names and titles: Yi Zhi; A-Heng; Baoheng
Evidence conclusion: Early Shang minister with Shang-period cultic attestation; his complete origins and political life combine several source layers
Earliest source: Later Shang oracle worship and traditions in Shangshu, Mencius, Lüshi Chunqiu and Shiji
Formative period: Shang ancestor worship, Warring States political thought and Han historiography

Timeline

Overview

Oracle-bone worship gives later Shang written evidence for Yi Yin’s early standing. Shangshu, Mencius, Lüshi Chunqiu and Shiji preserve differing origins, meetings with Tang and service.

The Annals of Yin places side by side the bridal-retainer carrying cooking vessels and the recluse invited five times, then has Yi Yin move between Xia and Shang before joining the attacks on Kunwu and Jie.

Yi Yin later becomes central to the exile and restoration of Taijia. Culinary, sage and regency traditions should be traced separately rather than compressed into one seamless life.

Source composition (cross-referenced)

Tagged sources

ARCArchaeologyNot usedHISHistorical recordsUsedFOLMyth & folkloreUsedPERDrama & romanceNot usedMEDLiterature & mediaUsedWEBInternet remixUsed

4/6sources

Textual evidence

Oracle worship, Shangshu, Mencius, Lüshi Chunqiu and Shiji preserve distinct layers.

Narrative evolution

Yi Yin later becomes central to the exile and restoration of Taijia. Culinary, sage and regency traditions should be traced separately rather than compressed into one seamless life.

Popular tradition

Yi Yin assists Tang through counsel, the overthrow of Jie and the formation of early Shang order, and later teaches Taijia.

Reading the sources

Early Shang minister with Shang-period cultic attestation; his complete origins and political life combine several source layers