# Emperor Gaozong of Song

> emperor of Song Dynasty China (1107–1187)

**Wikidata**: [Q7489](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q7489)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emperor_Gaozong_of_Song)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/emperor-gaozong-of-song

## Summary
Emperor Gaozong of Song (1107–1187) was an emperor of Song Dynasty China, ruling from 1127 to 1161. He is best known for establishing the Southern Song dynasty after the Jurchen invasion forced the court to flee south, re-establishing imperial rule in Lin'an (modern Hangzhou) and presiding over a period of relative stability and cultural flourishing.

## Biography
- **Born:** 1107 (exact date and place not specified in source material)
- **Nationality:** China (implicitly from context of Song Dynasty and citizenship of related figures)
- **Education:** Not specified in source material
- **Known for:** Emperor of Song Dynasty China; cultural patronage; calligraphic interests (implied by connections)
- **Employer(s):** Song Dynasty (Imperial Court)
- **Field(s):** Ruler (Emperor); Poet (implied by "poet" related entity); Calligrapher (implied by connections to calligraphers and the "calligrapher" related entity); Aristocrat (implied by "aristocrat" related entity and imperial status); Writer (implied by "writer" related entity)

## Contributions
- Established the Southern Song dynasty (Southern Song) in 1127/1129 after the Jurchen conquest of the north, re-establishing imperial rule centered in Lin'an (Hangzhou).
- Presided over the Song court during a period of significant cultural revival and patronage, particularly in the arts of poetry and calligraphy, fostering an environment where figures like Wang Xizhi, Zhiyong, Yu Shinan, Wang Xianzhi, and Huang Tingjian (though primarily historical precedents or contemporaries) were revered. His reign saw the flourishing of Song culture in the south.

## FAQs
**Who was Emperor Gaozong of Song?**
Emperor Gaozong of Song (1107–1187) was an emperor of the Song Dynasty in China, ruling from 1127 to 1161. He is particularly significant for founding the Southern Song dynasty after the Jurchen invasion forced the imperial court to abandon the north.

**What was Emperor Gaozong's role in establishing the Southern Song?**
Emperor Gaozong is credited with establishing the Southern Song dynasty in 1127/1129. Following the Jurchen Jin dynasty's capture of the northern capital, Bianjing (Kaifeng), he led the surviving members of the imperial court and loyal forces south to Lin'an (modern Hangzhou), becoming the first ruler of the Southern Song regime.

**What cultural connections are associated with Emperor Gaozong?**
Emperor Gaozong is associated with the tradition of Chinese calligraphy and poetry. His reign occurred during a period of significant cultural patronage in the Southern Song. The source material explicitly connects him culturally to renowned calligraphers including Wang Xizhi, Zhiyong, Yu Shinan, Wang Xianzhi, and the Song Dynasty artist/poet Huang Tingjian, though his direct personal contributions in these fields are detailed only through patronage and cultural environment fostering these arts.

**What were the key titles or names used for Emperor Gaozong?**
Emperor Gaozong was known by several aliases, including Gou Zhao, Sung Kʻang-wang, Emperor of the Song dynasty Gaozong, Kou Chao, Song Gaozong, Gaozong, Zhao Gou, Kao Tsung, Emperor of the Song dynasty Ga0zong, and Gao Zong.

**What is Emperor Gaozong's historical significance?**
Emperor Gaozong's primary historical significance lies in his role as the founding emperor of the Southern Song dynasty. His decision to retreat south and establish a new capital at Lin'an allowed the continuation of Song rule and culture for another 150 years after the loss of the north to the Jurchens. His reign marked the beginning of the Southern Song period.

## Why They Matter
Emperor Gaozong fundamentally reshaped the course of Chinese history by establishing the Southern Song dynasty after the catastrophic Jurchen invasion of 1127. His actions ensured the survival of the imperial lineage and Chinese civilization south of the Huai River. His reign initiated the Southern Song period (1127–1279), which became a major era of economic prosperity, technological innovation, and unparalleled cultural achievement, particularly in literature, painting, and calligraphy. By re-centering the empire in Lin'an and fostering a courtly culture that revered the great calligraphers of the past (Wang Xizhi, Yu Shinan) and supported contemporary artists and writers (like Huang Tingjian), he created the conditions for the Southern Song to become one of China's most culturally vibrant and economically advanced dynasties. Without him, the Song dynasty might have collapsed entirely in the 12th century.

## Notable For
- Founding Emperor of the Southern Song Dynasty (1127/1129-1161)
- Ruler who re-established the Song imperial court in Lin'an (Hangzhou) after the Jurchen conquest of the north
- Associated with the cultural flourishing of the Southern Song period
- Connection to the tradition of Chinese calligraphy (linked to Wang Xizhi, Zhiyong, Yu Shinan, Wang Xianzhi)
- Connection to the tradition of Chinese poetry (linked to Huang Tingjian and implied by "poet" related entity)
- Known by numerous aliases including Zhao Gou, Kao Tsung, Kou Chao, and Sung Kʻang-wang

## Body
### Early Life & Ascension
Emperor Gaozong of Song, whose personal name was Zhao Gou, was born in 1107 during the reign of his elder brother, Emperor Huizong. He was a prince of the Zhao imperial family, belonging to the aristocratic class inherent to the ruling dynasty. His life took a dramatic turn in 1127, known as the Jingkang Incident, when the Jurchen-led Jin dynasty conquered the Northern Song capital, Bianjing (Kaifeng), capturing the emperor and most of the imperial family.

### Reign & Ruling
Following the capture of his father (Emperor Huizong) and brother (Emperor Qinzong) in 1127, Zhao Gou escaped south and was declared emperor in 1127 (formally enthroned in 1129) as Gaozong, establishing the Southern Song dynasty. He moved the imperial court to Lin'an (modern Hangzhou) in 1138, solidifying the south as the center of Song power. His reign (1127–1161) focused on consolidating rule in the south, managing the military threat from the Jin, and rebuilding the state apparatus. He was a ruler in the highest sense, bearing the title of Emperor and overseeing the vast administrative and military machinery of the empire.

### Cultural Patronage & Interests
Emperor Gaozong presided over the Southern Song court during a notable period of cultural revival. The source material explicitly connects him to the tradition of Chinese calligraphy, linking him culturally to historically significant figures like Wang Xizhi (c. 321–c. 361), Zhiyong, Yu Shinan (558–638), and Wang Xianzhi – all renowned calligraphers. This connection suggests an environment within his court where the art of calligraphy was highly valued and studied. Furthermore, his reign is linked to the Song Dynasty poet and artist Huang Tingjian (1045–1105), indicating the court's deep engagement with poetry and the arts. As a poet himself (implied by the "poet" related entity) and a writer (implied by the "writer" related entity), his personal interests and his court's patronage likely fostered the rich literary and artistic achievements characteristic of the Southern Song period.

### Legacy & Historical Impact
Emperor Gaozong's most enduring legacy is the founding of the Southern Song dynasty. His decision to abandon the north and establish a new capital in Lin'an preserved Song governance, culture, and learning for 150 years beyond the fall of the Northern Song. The Southern Song era under him and his successors became renowned for its economic prosperity, advanced commercial and agricultural techniques, significant innovations in shipbuilding and printing, and a golden age of literature, painting, and calligraphy. By centering the dynasty in the fertile south and promoting a court culture steeped in classical arts like calligraphy (connecting him to Wang Xizhi, Yu Shinan, etc.) and poetry (connecting him to Huang Tingjian), he ensured the continuation and flourishing of Chinese high culture despite the loss of the ancestral homeland. His reign represents a pivotal moment in Chinese history, marking the transition from the Northern Song to the Southern Song and setting the stage for the dynasty's continued influence.

### Personal Life & Death
Emperor Gaozong lived a long life, ruling from 1127 to 1161 before abdicating in favor of his adopted son, Emperor Xiaozong. He survived until 1187, dying at the age of 80. Throughout his life, he bore multiple names and titles, as reflected in his aliases like Gou Zhao, Kou Chao, Sung Kʻang-wang, and Kao Tsung. His imperial status defined his existence, marking him as an emperor, a ruler, and an aristocrat by birthright, while his court's cultural environment linked him profoundly to the enduring traditions of Chinese calligraphy and poetry.

## References

1. China Biographical Database
2. Integrated Authority File
3. Q85410877
4. International Standard Name Identifier
5. Virtual International Authority File
6. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
7. [Source](https://www.shanghaimuseum.net/mu/frontend/pg/article/id/CI00000589)
8. [Source](https://www.shanghaimuseum.net/mu/frontend/pg/article/id/CI00000550)
9. CERL Thesaurus
10. National Library of Israel Names and Subjects Authority File