始于秦王嬴政的称号——皇帝

The Title " Emperor" Created by Ying Zheng

皇帝这一称号是嬴政的创造,它的产生是中国历史由分裂到大一统的标志,适应了当时大一统的需要。皇帝借神和上帝的称号成为神权的象征,这是中国历史发展的独特产物,不仅与古代西方神化自己的君主不同,亦与仿自中国的日本天皇称号也不同,因为二者的环境和观念完全不同。嬴政自称皇帝的主要理论依据是五德终始论,而这一理论是一把双刃剑,它虽然可以说明秦取代周是天意,却也可以使其他有意角逐皇帝者藉此论证其取代秦亦是天意。

The title ' Emperor' is created by Ying Zheng,The title symbolizes unification of the country. Emperor becomes a symbol of religious authority with the help of the title gods. The title is a special product in China's history. It is different from monarch in west countries and Mikado in Japan. Ying Zheng's theory for calling himself Emperor is the five virtues. The theory is a double- blade sword. It shows that the replacement of Zhou Dynasty is the will of Heaven and others may use this theory to overthrow Qin Dynasty.