Yao

Yao, in Chinese mythology, a legendary emperor (c. 24th century bce) of the golden age of antiquity, exalted by Confucius as an inspiration and perennial model of virtue, righteousness, and unselfish devotion. His name is inseparable from that of his successor Shun, to whom he gave his two daughters in marriage. Legends recount that after 70 years of Yao’s rule, the sun and moon were as resplendent as jewels, the five planets shone like strung...