Editing List of Chinese monarchs (section)

===Mythological rulers===
{{further|Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors}}

In traditional [[Chinese historiography]], various models of mythological founding rulers exist.{{sfn|Chang|1999|pp=65–66}} The relevancy of these figures to the earliest Chinese people is unknown, since most accounts of them were written from the [[Warring States period]] ({{circa|475–221}} BCE) onwards.{{sfnm|1a1=Chang|1y=1999|1p=67|2a1=Wilkinson|2y=2018|2p=746}} The sinologist [[Kwang-chih Chang]] has generalized the typical stages: "the first period was populated by [[Deity|god]]s, the second by [[demigod]]s/[[culture hero]], and the third by the [[Mythological king|legendary king]]s."{{sfn|Chang|1999|p=66}} The primordial god [[Pangu]] is given by many texts as the earliest figure and is credited with [[creation myth|forming the world]] by separating heaven and earth.{{sfnm|1a1=Wilkinson|1y=2018|1p=746|2a1=Chang|2y=1999|2pp=66–67}} Other gods include [[Nüwa]], who repaired heaven; [[Hou Yi]], a mythical archer; and [[Gonggong]], a serpent-like [[List of water deities|water deity]].{{sfn|Chang|1999|pp=66–68}}

Demigod and hero rulers from hero myths—the largest group [[Chinese mythology|Chinese myths]]—are attributed the invention of specific items, practices or traditions.{{sfn|Chang|1999|pp=68–69}} Among the more important of them are [[Fuxi]], the inventor of hunting; [[Suiren]], who invented fire; and [[Shennong]], who invented both agriculture and medicine.{{sfn|Chang|1999|p=70}} The subsequent legendary kings began with the [[Yellow Emperor]] ({{lang|zh-hant|黃帝}}), known as ''Huangdi'', a major [[culture hero]] of Chinese civilization whose reign was considered exemplary.{{sfn|Chang|1999|p=70}} Succeeding rulers include some combination of [[Shaohao]], [[Zhuanxu]], [[Emperor Ku]], [[Emperor Yao]] and [[Emperor Shun]].{{sfn|Wilkinson|2018|p=747}} Since the late Warring States onwards, early Chinese monarchs have traditionally been ground into the concept of the [[Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors]];{{sfn|Wilkinson|2018|p=747}} however, the chosen figures of this grouping varies considerably between sources.{{sfn|Chang|1999|p=70}} Generally, most accounts include at least Fuxi and Shennong among the Three Sovereigns as well as the Yellow Emperor, Yao and Shun among the Five Emperors.{{sfn|Wilkinson|2018|p=747}}