Glossary

Zhenyuan

貞元

Term · calendar

Chinese era name (貞元) of the Tang for the years 785–805: 785 is Zhenyuan 1 (元年) and Zhenyuan 21 is 805. Zhenyuan (貞元) is a Chinese era name (nianhao) of the Tang, proclaimed in 785 under Emperor Dezong (德宗). Its years are counted in lunar years: 785 is Zhenyuan 1 (元年), 805 its last year, Zhenyuan 21. A Chinese source dates a year within it as “Zhenyuan 2” (貞元二年) rather than by a continuous count. Before: Xingyuan. After: Yongzhen.