Glossary

Xiantian

先天

Term · calendar

Chinese era name (先天) of the Tang for the years 712–713: 712 is Xiantian 1 (元年) and Xiantian 2 is 713. Xiantian (先天) is a Chinese era name (nianhao) of the Tang, proclaimed in 712 under Emperor Xuanzong (玄宗). Its years are counted in lunar years: 712 is Xiantian 1 (元年), 713 its last year, Xiantian 2. A Chinese source dates a year within it as “Xiantian 2” (先天二年) rather than by a continuous count. Before: Yanhe. After: Kaiyuan.