Wang Hai of Shang

Wang Hai
王亥
Statue of Wang Hai in Shangqiu
Ruler of Predynastic Shang
PredecessorMing of Shang
SuccessorWang Gen of Shang
IssueShang Jia
Names
Temple name
Wang Hai (王亥)
FatherMing of Shang
Wang Hai of Shang
Chinese王亥
Literal meaning"King XII"
Transcriptions
Standard Mandarin
Hanyu Pinyinwáng hài
Bopomofoㄨㄤˊ ㄏㄞˋ
Wade–Gileswang2-hai4
Wu
Romanization6waon 6ghe
Yue: Cantonese
Yale Romanizationwong4 hoi6
Middle Chinese
Middle Chinesehjwang hojX
Old Chinese
Baxter–Sagart (2014)/*ɢʷaŋ [ɡ]ˤəʔ/
Alternative Chinese name
Chinese
Literal meaning"Zhen"
Transcriptions
Standard Mandarin
Hanyu Pinyinzhèn
Bopomofoㄓㄣˋ
Wade–Gileschen4
Wu
Romanization5tsen
Yue: Cantonese
Yale Romanizationzan3
Middle Chinese
Middle ChinesetsyinH
Old Chinese
Baxter–Sagart (2014)/tər-s/

Wang Hai (Chinese: 王亥; pinyin: Wáng Hài), family name Zi (), was a ruler of Predynastic Shang and the father of Shang Jia. He is attested on oracle bone inscriptions, and venerated by the Shang as a 'High Ancestor' (高祖; gāozǔ), or, in modern scholarship, a 'Former Lord' (先公; xiāngōng). Little is known about his reign outside of posthumous accounts.