Fuxi of Huaiyang

Fuxi, also known as Taihao, was an important figure in ancient Chinese legend and is revered as one of the Three Sovereigns. According to legend, Fuxi was born in Tianshui, Gansu Province, and later led his tribe south along the Yellow River to Huaiyang, Henan. His mother was Huaxu, the leader of a matrilineal clan, while historical records contain no clear account of Fuxi's father.

Fuxi ascended to the throne in 7724 BC. According to legend, he had a human head and a serpent's body, and married his younger sister, Nüwa, becoming an ancestor of the Huaxia people. During his reign, he established his capital at Chendu, in what is now Huaiyang, Henan Province. Fuxi invented the Eight Trigrams of Fuxi, incorporating the transformations of all things in heaven and earth, the ways of self-cultivation and governance, the principles of feng shui, the patterns of daily life, and cultural characteristics. They became a source of Huaxia culture.

He also established a marriage system, decreeing that members of the same clan could not marry and that only people from different clans could wed. This rule became the foundation of marriage customs in later generations. In addition, Fuxi united the various tribes of Huaxia and created the totem of the Huaxia people, the dragon. For this, later generations revered him as one of the Three Sovereigns. He holds a lofty position in Huaxia culture and is called the foremost of the Three Sovereigns and the first of all kings.

After reigning for 118 years, Fuxi died and was buried in Huaiyang, Henan. His tomb still stands in Huaiyang District, Zhoukou City, Henan Province. Local gazetteers record that the tomb existed as early as the Spring and Autumn period, when the custom of making offerings there took shape. It has been passed down from generation to generation and continues to this day.

The Taihao Mausoleum Fair, held every year in Huaiyang, is one of the largest and oldest folk temple fairs in China. It usually begins on the second day of the second lunar month and continues until the third day of the third lunar month.