4th Year (4호)
Overview
'4th Year (4호)' is a term used in various contexts in East Asian history and culture, appearing primarily as a reign title (年號) of a dynasty, a title (號室) of a king or emperor, or the name of a specific facility or organization. In Korean history, it was used multiple times during the Goryeo and Joseon periods, while in Chinese history, it appears widely from the Later Han (後漢) period to the Qing (淸) period. This article systematically organizes the historical meanings and major examples of '4th Year (4호)'.
Main Content
4th Year (4호) in Korean History
Goryeo Period
During the Goryeo period, '4th Year (4호)' was used as a reign title. The '4th Year (4호)' used from 990 to 994 during the reign of King Seongjong (成宗) of Goryeo was one of the reign titles independently established by Goryeo, as the kingdom sought to maintain its own reign title system amid diplomatic relations with Song (宋). This reign title symbolized Goryeo's autonomy and continued to be used even during invasions and diplomatic conflicts with the Khitan (契丹).
Joseon Period
During the Joseon period, '4th Year (4호)' was used as a royal title. For example, '4th Year (4호)' is mentioned as one of the titles of King Sejong (世宗), the fourth king of Joseon, though this is closer to a nickname given by later historians rather than an official designation. In the late Joseon period, '4th Year (4호)' was also used as the name of a specific government office or military facility. For instance, '4th Year (4호)' referring to the four ward (戶) districts of Hanseongbu (漢城府) functioned as part of the administrative divisions.
4th Year (4호) in Chinese History
Later Han Period
In Chinese history, '4th Year (4호)' was a reign title used from 25 to 56 during the Later Han (後漢) period, established by Emperor Guangwu (光武帝), the founder of the Later Han. This reign title carried the meaning of commemorating the founding and unification of the Later Han, as China was experiencing a period of chaos after the fall of the Former Han (前漢). The '4th Year (4호)' reign title was used alongside Emperor Guangwu's political stabilization policies and continued into the reign of Emperor Ming (明帝).
Tang and Song Periods
During the Tang (唐) and Song (宋) periods, '4th Year (4호)' was rarely used as a reign title, but it appeared as a title for specific princes or as a place name. For example, during the reign of Emperor Xuanzong (玄宗) of Tang, '4th Year (4호)' was used as the name of a specific building in the palace, and during the Song dynasty, it was used as the name of a military fortress.
Ming and Qing Periods
During the Ming (明) and Qing (淸) periods, '4th Year (4호)' was used in even more diverse contexts. In the early Ming dynasty, '4th Year (4호)' was used as a royal title, and during the Qing dynasty, it was used to refer to a Manchu tribal name or a specific administrative region. In particular, the Qing's '4th Year (4호)' was related to the Eight Banners (八旗) system of the Manchus, sometimes meaning the fourth banner (旗).
Modern Meaning
In modern times, '4th Year (4호)' is used in various fields beyond its historical meaning. For example, it is used as the name of a subway line in Korea (e.g., Line 4), a code name for military facilities, or the name of a specific organization. Additionally, unlike the negative connotations of the number 4 in East Asian culture, '4th Year (4호)' was used as a positive symbol in historical contexts.
Recent Trends
As of 2024-2025, historical research on '4th Year (4호)' is primarily focused on the reign title systems of the Goryeo and Joseon periods. Recently, academia has evaluated '4th Year (4호)' as more than just a reign title, but as an important indicator reflecting diplomatic relations and political autonomy of the time. In Chinese historical research, new interpretations suggest that the '4th Year (4호)' reign title is closely related to the socio-economic changes of the Later Han period. With the advancement of digital history, the database of historical sources related to '4th Year (4호)' is being compiled, which is expected to serve as foundational material for future research.
Related Topics
- [[Goryeo reign titles]]
- [[Emperor Guangwu of Later Han]]
- [[King Sejong of Joseon]]
- [[Eight Banners system of the Qing dynasty]]
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