Xi'an, as one of the famous historical and cultural cities in China, has a long history and rich cultural heritage. In ancient times, Xi'an was the capital of many dynasties, carrying thousands of years of Chinese historical memory. So, when did the name Xi'an start to be used? This article will unravel this mystery for you.

1. The historical origin of Xi'an

Xi'an is located in the central region of China and is the capital of Shaanxi Province. Known as Chang'an in ancient times, it is one of the four ancient capitals in Chinese history and one of the oldest capitals in the world. The history of Xi'an can be traced back to the Zhou Dynasty in the 11th century BC, when Xi'an was the capital of the Western Zhou Dynasty.

2. Changes in the name of Xi'an

1. Chang'an

The earliest name of Xi'an is Chang'an, which first appeared in the Qin Dynasty in 221 BC. At that time, Qin Shihuang unified the six countries and established the first centralized feudal empire in Chinese history. He built the capital in Xi'an and named it Chang'an. Chang'an was also the political, economic and cultural center of China during the Han Dynasty, with a prosperous urban scene.

2. Anjing

During the Tang Dynasty, Chang'an was renamed Anjing. The Tang Dynasty was one of the most prosperous dynasties in Chinese history. As the capital of the Tang Dynasty, Chang'an was one of the largest cities in the world. During the Tang Dynasty, Chang'an reached its peak of prosperity and became the center of Eastern civilization.

3. Xijing

During the Song Dynasty, Chang'an was renamed Xijing. The Song Dynasty was an important dynasty in Chinese history, and Xijing became the capital of the Southern Song Dynasty. Although Xijing was not as prosperous as it was during the Tang Dynasty, it was still an important political and cultural center.

4. Xi'an

During the Ming Dynasty, Xijing was renamed Xi'an. The Ming Dynasty was the last feudal dynasty in Chinese history, and Xi'an's status during the Ming Dynasty was relatively low. It was not until the Qing Dynasty that Xi'an became the capital of Shaanxi Province again, and this name has been used to this day.

3. The meaning of the name Xi’an

The meaning of the name Xi’an is very simple and clear. It is composed of the two characters Xi and An. Xi means the west, because Xi'an is located in the west of China. An means stability and tranquility, and represents the safety and stability of the city.

IV. Conclusion

The name Xi'an began to be used during the Qin Dynasty, and has gone through several different name changes such as Chang'an, Anjing, and Xijing. As a famous historical and cultural city in China, Xi'an carries rich historical heritage and cultural heritage. Walking in the streets and alleys of Xi'an, you can feel the splendor and magnificence of ancient emperors. Whether you are a history buff or a tourist, you can find your own fun and excitement in Xi'an. I hope this article will help you understand the name changes in Xi'an.

Keywords: When was Xi’an called Xi’an?

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