The XiaHou Legacy
Deep Roots
Our family name, Xiahou, has a history dating so far back that it is literally the stuff of legend.
Xiahou is directly related to the Xia dynasty, the first dynasty to be described in Chinese historical records, dating back to 2070 - 1600 BCE.
Conclusive archaeological evidence predating the 16th century BCE is, however, rarely available which makes it not only a deep part of Chinese culture and history, but also of legend.
The impact of this dynasty was so great that the name Huaxia, meaning "the magnificent Xia", was used ubiquitously throughout history to define the Chinese nation.
Tracing back the lineage
Xia Dynasty (c. 2070–1600 BCE) – Tea was likely used for medicinal purposes, though no solid evidence of cultivation exists.
Shang Dynasty (c. 1600–1046 BCE) – Early records suggest tea leaves may have been boiled with herbs for health benefits.
Zhou Dynasty (1046–256 BCE) – Tea drinking became more structured, and it was used in ritual offerings to deities and ancestors.
Qin Dynasty (221–206 BCE) – Emperor Qin Shi Huang promoted herbal medicine, and tea was valued for its supposed detoxifying properties.
Han Dynasty (206 BCE–220 CE) – Tea became a widely consumed beverage, especially among scholars and the elite.
Three Kingdoms (220–280 CE) – Tea drinking spread further, with the first written reference to tea as a beverage appearing in this era.
Jin Dynasty (266–420 CE) – Tea became a social drink, with aristocrats using it in literary gatherings.
Northern and Southern Dynasties (420–589 CE) – Tea became a monk’s drink, helping Buddhist monks stay awake during long meditations.
Sui Dynasty (581–618 CE) – The imperial court recognized tea as a staple beverage, leading to its increasing demand.
Tang Dynasty (618–907 CE) – The Golden Age of Tea began; Lu Yu wrote the Classic of Tea (Cha Jing), the first book on tea culture.
Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms (907–960 CE) – Tea production continued despite political instability, and compressed tea cakes became popular.
Song Dynasty (960–1279 CE) – The art of whisked powdered tea flourished, influencing Japan’s tea ceremony.
Yuan Dynasty (1271–1368 CE) – The Mongols preferred fermented milk-based drinks, leading to a temporary decline in tea culture.
Ming Dynasty (1368–1644 CE) – Loose-leaf steeped tea became the norm, replacing powdered tea, and porcelain teapots emerged.
Qing Dynasty (1644–1912 CE) – Oolong and black tea were developed, and China began exporting tea globally, sparking the tea trade with Europe.
Republic of China (1912–1949) – Tea houses flourished, and modern tea production techniques were introduced.
People’s Republic of China (1949–Present) – China remains the largest tea producer in the world, with green tea being the most consumed variety.
The XiaHou Name
The Hou, pronounced hoo-a, in our name means Minister. During the reign of the Xia Dynasty, it was our family that was appointed to be second in command under the emperor.
Xiahou Senior was a high-ranking government official in China and a member of the Red Party. Though, we had to earn that through rebuilding our Xiahou name from nothing after the Opium Wars and Chairman Mao destroyed the opulent lives of the Xiahou family as large landowners in the East.
But the name is still well-known and recognized throughout the country.