Shaohao

the Young Sovereign

Legendary ruler of the eastern Yi peoples who named his officials after birds.

Shaohao, the Young Sovereign, ruled the eastern Yi peoples from Qiongsang and organized his court by the names of birds. The Phoenix served as calendar officer, the Dark Bird as officer of the equinoxes, and every ministry bore a bird name. This bird-officer state belongs to the totemic layer of early Chinese myth.