Xie

Ancestor of Shang

Shang ancestor born from a dark swallow’s egg, minister to Yu and lord of fire.

Xie was the ancestor of the Shang, born, so the ode says, when his mother Jiandi swallowed a dark swallow’s egg. He helped Yu control the flood and was appointed minister of education by Shun, teaching the people the five relationships. Later he was honored as Ebo, the fire officer of the Shangqiu cult, watching over the seasons from the eastern altar.