# Lu (state)

Lu (Chinese: 魯; c. 1042 – 249 BC) was a vassal state during the Zhou dynasty of ancient China located around modern Shandong. Founded in the 11th century BC, its rulers were from a cadet branch of the House of Ji (姬) that ruled the Zhou dynasty. The first duke was Boqin, a son of the Duke of Zhou, who was brother of King Wu of Zhou and regent to King Cheng of Zhou.
Lu was the home state of Confucius as well as Mozi, and, as such, has an outsized cultural influence among the states of the Eastern Zhou and in history. The Annals of Spring and Autumn, for instance, was written with the Lu rulers' years as their basis. Another great work of Chinese history, the Zuo Zhuan or Commentary of Zuo, was traditionally considered to have been written in Lu by Zuo Qiuming.

## Geography

The state's capital was in Qufu and its territory mainly covered the central and southwest regions of what is now Shandong Province. It was bordered to the north by the powerful state of Qi and to the south by the powerful state of Chu. The position of Lu on the eastern frontiers of the Western Zhou state, facing the non-Zhou peoples in states such as Lai and Xu, was an important consideration in its foundation.

## Etymology

William H. Baxter (apud Matisoff, 1995) suggests a semantic connection between the toponym 魯 Lǔ and its homophone 鹵 lǔ "salty, rock salt" (< OC *C-rāʔ) since that region was a salt marsh in ancient times.

## History

Lu was one of several states founded in eastern China at the very beginning of the Zhou dynasty, in order to extend Zhou rule far from its capital at Zongzhou and power base in the Guanzhong region. Throughout Western Zhou times, it played an important role in stabilising Zhou control in modern-day Shandong.
During the early Spring and Autumn period, Lu was one of the strongest states and a rival of Qi to its north. Under Duke Yin and Duke Huan of Lu, Lu defeated both Qi and Song on several occasions. At the same time, it undertook expeditions against other minor states.
This changed by the middle of the period, as Lu's main rival, Qi, grew increasingly dominant. Although a Qi invasion was defeated in the Battle of Changshao in 684 BC, Lu would never regain the upper hand against its neighbour. Meanwhile, the power of the dukes of Lu was eventually undermined by the powerful feudal clans of Jisun 季孫, Mengsun 孟孫, and Shusun 叔孫 (called the Three Huan because they were descendants of Duke Huan of Lu). The domination of the Three Huan was such that Duke Zhao of Lu, in attempting to regain power, was exiled by them and never returned. It would not be until Duke Mu of Lu's reign, in the early Warring States period, that power eventually returned to the dukes again.
In 249 BC King Kaolie of the state of Chu invaded and annexed Lu. Duke Qing, the last ruler of Lu, became a commoner.
The main line of the Duke of Zhou's descendants came from his firstborn son, the State of Lu ruler Bo Qin's third son Yu (魚) whose descendants adopted the surname Dongye (東野). The Duke of Zhou's offspring held the title of Wujing Boshi (五经博士; 五經博士; Wǔjīng Bóshì).
東野家族大宗世系 Family Tree of the descendants of the Duke of Zhou in Chinese
Mencius was a descendent of Qingfu (慶父), one of Duke Huan of Lu's sons. The genealogy is found in the Mencius family tree (孟子世家大宗世系).

## Rulers

List of Lu rulers based on the Records of the Grand Historian by Sima Qian:
| Title | Given name | Reign | Relationship |
| Duke Tai | Boqin | c. 1042–997 BC | son of Duke of Zhou |
| Duke Kao | You | 998–995 BC | son of Boqin |
| Duke Yang | Xi or Yi | 994–989 BC | brother of Duke Kao |
| Duke You | Zai or Yu | 988–975 BC | son of Duke Yang |
| Duke Wei | Fei | 974–925 BC | brother of Duke You |
| Duke Li | Zhuo or Di | 924–888 BC | son of Duke Wei |
| Duke Xian | Ju | 887–856 BC | brother of Duke Li |
| Duke Shen | Bi or Zhi | 855–826 BC | son of Duke Xian |
| Duke Wu | Ao | 825–816 BC | brother of Duke Shen |
| Duke Yi | Xi | 815–807 BC | son of Duke Wu |
| none | Boyu | 806–796 BC | nephew of Duke Yi |
| Duke Xiao | Cheng | 795–769 BC | brother of Duke Yi |
| Duke Hui | Fuhuang or Fusheng | 768–723 BC | son of Duke Xiao |
| Duke Yin | Xigu | 722–712 BC | son of Duke Hui |
| Duke Huan | Yun or Gui | 711–694 BC | brother of Duke Yin |
| Duke Zhuang | Tong | 693–662 BC | son of Duke Huan |
| Ziban | Ban | 662 BC | son of Duke Zhuang |
| Duke Min | Qi | 661–660 BC | son of Duke Zhuang |
| Duke Xi | Shen | 659–627 BC | son of Duke Zhuang |
| Duke Wen I | Xing | 626–609 BC | son of Duke Xi |
| Duke Xuan | Tui or Wo | 608–591 BC | son of Duke Wen I |
| Duke Cheng | Heigong | 590–573 BC | son of Duke Xuan |
| Duke Xiang | Wu | 572–542 BC | son of Duke Cheng |
| Ziye | Ye | 542 BC | son of Duke Xiang |
| Duke Zhao | Chou | 541–510 BC | son of Duke Xiang |
| Duke Ding | Song | 509–495 BC | brother of Duke Zhao |
| Duke Ai | Jiang | 494–467 BC | son of Duke Ding |
| Duke Dao | Ning | 466–429 BC | son of Duke Ai |
| Duke Yuan | Jia | 428–408 BC | son of Duke Dao |
| Duke Mu | Xian | 407–377 BC | son of Duke Yuan |
| Duke Gong | Fen | 376–353 BC | son of Duke Mu |
| Duke Kang | Tun | 352–344 BC | son of Duke Gong |
| Duke Jing | Yan | 343–323 BC | son of Duke Kang |
| Duke Ping | Shu | 322–303 BC | son of Duke Jing |
| Duke Wen II | Jia | 302–278 BC | son of Duke Ping |
| Duke Qing | Chou | 277–249 BC | son of Duke Wen II |

### Rulers family tree

Lu state :
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Three Huan | Three Huan | Three Huan | Three Huan | Three Huan | Three Huan |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Three Huan | Three Huan | Three Huan | Three Huan | Three Huan | Three Huan | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Duke of Zhou 周公旦 | Duke of Zhou 周公旦 | Duke of Zhou 周公旦 | Duke of Zhou 周公旦 | Duke of Zhou 周公旦 | Duke of Zhou 周公旦 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Bo Qin 伯禽 | Bo Qin 伯禽 | Bo Qin 伯禽 | Bo Qin 伯禽 | Bo Qin 伯禽 | Bo Qin 伯禽 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | Duke Kao 鲁考公 | Duke Kao 鲁考公 | Duke Kao 鲁考公 | Duke Kao 鲁考公 | Duke Kao 鲁考公 | Duke Kao 鲁考公 | Duke Yang 鲁炀公 | Duke Yang 鲁炀公 | Duke Yang 鲁炀公 | Duke Yang 鲁炀公 | Duke Yang 鲁炀公 | Duke Yang 鲁炀公 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | Duke You 鲁幽公 | Duke You 鲁幽公 | Duke You 鲁幽公 | Duke You 鲁幽公 | Duke You 鲁幽公 | Duke You 鲁幽公 | Duke Wei 鲁魏公 | Duke Wei 鲁魏公 | Duke Wei 鲁魏公 | Duke Wei 鲁魏公 | Duke Wei 鲁魏公 | Duke Wei 鲁魏公 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | Duke Li 鲁厉公 | Duke Li 鲁厉公 | Duke Li 鲁厉公 | Duke Li 鲁厉公 | Duke Li 鲁厉公 | Duke Li 鲁厉公 | Duke Xian 鲁献公 | Duke Xian 鲁献公 | Duke Xian 鲁献公 | Duke Xian 鲁献公 | Duke Xian 鲁献公 | Duke Xian 鲁献公 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | Duke Zhen 鲁真公 ?-855-825BC | Duke Zhen 鲁真公 ?-855-825BC | Duke Zhen 鲁真公 ?-855-825BC | Duke Zhen 鲁真公 ?-855-825BC | Duke Zhen 鲁真公 ?-855-825BC | Duke Zhen 鲁真公 ?-855-825BC | Duke Wu 鲁武公 ?-825-816BC | Duke Wu 鲁武公 ?-825-816BC | Duke Wu 鲁武公 ?-825-816BC | Duke Wu 鲁武公 ?-825-816BC | Duke Wu 鲁武公 ?-825-816BC | Duke Wu 鲁武公 ?-825-816BC |
| | | | | | | 括 | 括 | 括 | 括 | 括 | 括 | Duke Yi 鲁懿公 ?-816-807BC | Duke Yi 鲁懿公 ?-816-807BC | Duke Yi 鲁懿公 ?-816-807BC | Duke Yi 鲁懿公 ?-816-807BC | Duke Yi 鲁懿公 ?-816-807BC | Duke Yi 鲁懿公 ?-816-807BC | Duke Xiao 鲁孝公 ?-796-769BC | Duke Xiao 鲁孝公 ?-796-769BC | Duke Xiao 鲁孝公 ?-796-769BC | Duke Xiao 鲁孝公 ?-796-769BC | Duke Xiao 鲁孝公 ?-796-769BC | Duke Xiao 鲁孝公 ?-796-769BC |
| | | | | | | Bo Yu 伯御 ?-807-796BC | Bo Yu 伯御 ?-807-796BC | Bo Yu 伯御 ?-807-796BC | Bo Yu 伯御 ?-807-796BC | Bo Yu 伯御 ?-807-796BC | Bo Yu 伯御 ?-807-796BC | | | | | | | Duke Hui 鲁惠公 ?-769-723BC | Duke Hui 鲁惠公 ?-769-723BC | Duke Hui 鲁惠公 ?-769-723BC | Duke Hui 鲁惠公 ?-769-723BC | Duke Hui 鲁惠公 ?-769-723BC | Duke Hui 鲁惠公 ?-769-723BC | | 公子益师 衆氏 ?-722BC | 公子益师 衆氏 ?-722BC | 公子益师 衆氏 ?-722BC | 公子益师 衆氏 ?-722BC | 公子益师 衆氏 ?-722BC | 公子益师 衆氏 ?-722BC | | 公子展 展氏 | 公子展 展氏 | 公子展 展氏 | 公子展 展氏 | 公子展 展氏 | 公子展 展氏 | | 郈惠伯 郈氏 | 郈惠伯 郈氏 | 郈惠伯 郈氏 | 郈惠伯 郈氏 | 郈惠伯 郈氏 | 郈惠伯 郈氏 | | | 公子彄 臧孙氏 ?-718BC | 公子彄 臧孙氏 ?-718BC | 公子彄 臧孙氏 ?-718BC | 公子彄 臧孙氏 ?-718BC | 公子彄 臧孙氏 ?-718BC | 公子彄 臧孙氏 ?-718BC |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | Duke Yin 鲁隐公 ?-723-712BC | Duke Yin 鲁隐公 ?-723-712BC | Duke Yin 鲁隐公 ?-723-712BC | Duke Yin 鲁隐公 ?-723-712BC | Duke Yin 鲁隐公 ?-723-712BC | Duke Yin 鲁隐公 ?-723-712BC | Duke Huan 鲁桓公 ?-712-694BC | Duke Huan 鲁桓公 ?-712-694BC | Duke Huan 鲁桓公 ?-712-694BC | Duke Huan 鲁桓公 ?-712-694BC | Duke Huan 鲁桓公 ?-712-694BC | Duke Huan 鲁桓公 ?-712-694BC | 施父 施氏 | 施父 施氏 | 施父 施氏 | 施父 施氏 | 施父 施氏 | 施父 施氏 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | Qingfu 庆父 孟孙氏 ?-660BC | Qingfu 庆父 孟孙氏 ?-660BC | Qingfu 庆父 孟孙氏 ?-660BC | Qingfu 庆父 孟孙氏 ?-660BC | Qingfu 庆父 孟孙氏 ?-660BC | Qingfu 庆父 孟孙氏 ?-660BC | Duke Zhuang 鲁莊公 706-694-662BC | Duke Zhuang 鲁莊公 706-694-662BC | Duke Zhuang 鲁莊公 706-694-662BC | Duke Zhuang 鲁莊公 706-694-662BC | Duke Zhuang 鲁莊公 706-694-662BC | Duke Zhuang 鲁莊公 706-694-662BC | Shuya 叔牙 叔孙氏 ?-662BC | Shuya 叔牙 叔孙氏 ?-662BC | Shuya 叔牙 叔孙氏 ?-662BC | Shuya 叔牙 叔孙氏 ?-662BC | Shuya 叔牙 叔孙氏 ?-662BC | Shuya 叔牙 叔孙氏 ?-662BC | | Jiyou 季友 季孙氏 ?-644BC | Jiyou 季友 季孙氏 ?-644BC | Jiyou 季友 季孙氏 ?-644BC | Jiyou 季友 季孙氏 ?-644BC | Jiyou 季友 季孙氏 ?-644BC | Jiyou 季友 季孙氏 ?-644BC | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | Zi Ban 子般 ?-662BC | Zi Ban 子般 ?-662BC | Zi Ban 子般 ?-662BC | Zi Ban 子般 ?-662BC | Zi Ban 子般 ?-662BC | Zi Ban 子般 ?-662BC | Duke Xi 鲁僖公 ?-660-627BC | Duke Xi 鲁僖公 ?-660-627BC | Duke Xi 鲁僖公 ?-660-627BC | Duke Xi 鲁僖公 ?-660-627BC | Duke Xi 鲁僖公 ?-660-627BC | Duke Xi 鲁僖公 ?-660-627BC | Duke Min 鲁闵公 670-662-660BC | Duke Min 鲁闵公 670-662-660BC | Duke Min 鲁闵公 670-662-660BC | Duke Min 鲁闵公 670-662-660BC | Duke Min 鲁闵公 670-662-660BC | Duke Min 鲁闵公 670-662-660BC | | 公子遂 东门氏 ?-601BC | 公子遂 东门氏 ?-601BC | 公子遂 东门氏 ?-601BC | 公子遂 东门氏 ?-601BC | 公子遂 东门氏 ?-601BC | 公子遂 东门氏 ?-601BC | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Duke Wen 鲁文公 ?-627-609BC | Duke Wen 鲁文公 ?-627-609BC | Duke Wen 鲁文公 ?-627-609BC | Duke Wen 鲁文公 ?-627-609BC | Duke Wen 鲁文公 ?-627-609BC | Duke Wen 鲁文公 ?-627-609BC | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 恶 ?-609BC | 恶 ?-609BC | 恶 ?-609BC | 恶 ?-609BC | 恶 ?-609BC | 恶 ?-609BC | 视 ?-609BC | 视 ?-609BC | 视 ?-609BC | 视 ?-609BC | 视 ?-609BC | 视 ?-609BC | Duke Xuan 鲁宣公 ?-609-591BC | Duke Xuan 鲁宣公 ?-609-591BC | Duke Xuan 鲁宣公 ?-609-591BC | Duke Xuan 鲁宣公 ?-609-591BC | Duke Xuan 鲁宣公 ?-609-591BC | Duke Xuan 鲁宣公 ?-609-591BC | 叔肹 子叔氏 ?-592BC | 叔肹 子叔氏 ?-592BC | 叔肹 子叔氏 ?-592BC | 叔肹 子叔氏 ?-592BC | 叔肹 子叔氏 ?-592BC | 叔肹 子叔氏 ?-592BC |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Duke Cheng 鲁成公 ?-591-573BC | Duke Cheng 鲁成公 ?-591-573BC | Duke Cheng 鲁成公 ?-591-573BC | Duke Cheng 鲁成公 ?-591-573BC | Duke Cheng 鲁成公 ?-591-573BC | Duke Cheng 鲁成公 ?-591-573BC | 公子偃 ?-575BC | 公子偃 ?-575BC | 公子偃 ?-575BC | 公子偃 ?-575BC | 公子偃 ?-575BC | 公子偃 ?-575BC | | 公子鉏 | 公子鉏 | 公子鉏 | 公子鉏 | 公子鉏 | 公子鉏 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Duke Xiang 鲁襄公 575-573-542BC | Duke Xiang 鲁襄公 575-573-542BC | Duke Xiang 鲁襄公 575-573-542BC | Duke Xiang 鲁襄公 575-573-542BC | Duke Xiang 鲁襄公 575-573-542BC | Duke Xiang 鲁襄公 575-573-542BC | 公衡 | 公衡 | 公衡 | 公衡 | 公衡 | 公衡 |
| Zi Ye 子野 ?-542BC | Zi Ye 子野 ?-542BC | Zi Ye 子野 ?-542BC | Zi Ye 子野 ?-542BC | Zi Ye 子野 ?-542BC | Zi Ye 子野 ?-542BC | | | | | | | Duke Zhao 鲁昭公 560-542-510BC | Duke Zhao 鲁昭公 560-542-510BC | Duke Zhao 鲁昭公 560-542-510BC | Duke Zhao 鲁昭公 560-542-510BC | Duke Zhao 鲁昭公 560-542-510BC | Duke Zhao 鲁昭公 560-542-510BC | | | | | | | Duke Ding 鲁定公 ?-510-495BC | Duke Ding 鲁定公 ?-510-495BC | Duke Ding 鲁定公 ?-510-495BC | Duke Ding 鲁定公 ?-510-495BC | Duke Ding 鲁定公 ?-510-495BC | Duke Ding 鲁定公 ?-510-495BC |
| 公衍 | 公衍 | 公衍 | 公衍 | 公衍 | 公衍 | 公为 ?-484 | 公为 ?-484 | 公为 ?-484 | 公为 ?-484 | 公为 ?-484 | 公为 ?-484 | 公果 | 公果 | 公果 | 公果 | 公果 | 公果 | 公贲 | 公贲 | 公贲 | 公贲 | 公贲 | 公贲 | Duke Ai 鲁哀公 ?-495-468BC | Duke Ai 鲁哀公 ?-495-468BC | Duke Ai 鲁哀公 ?-495-468BC | Duke Ai 鲁哀公 ?-495-468BC | Duke Ai 鲁哀公 ?-495-468BC | Duke Ai 鲁哀公 ?-495-468BC |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Duke Dao 鲁悼公 ?-468-437BC | Duke Dao 鲁悼公 ?-468-437BC | Duke Dao 鲁悼公 ?-468-437BC | Duke Dao 鲁悼公 ?-468-437BC | Duke Dao 鲁悼公 ?-468-437BC | Duke Dao 鲁悼公 ?-468-437BC | | 公子荆 | 公子荆 | 公子荆 | 公子荆 | 公子荆 | 公子荆 | | 孺子𪏆 | 孺子𪏆 | 孺子𪏆 | 孺子𪏆 | 孺子𪏆 | 孺子𪏆 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Duke Yuan 鲁元公 ?-437-416BC | Duke Yuan 鲁元公 ?-437-416BC | Duke Yuan 鲁元公 ?-437-416BC | Duke Yuan 鲁元公 ?-437-416BC | Duke Yuan 鲁元公 ?-437-416BC | Duke Yuan 鲁元公 ?-437-416BC | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Duke Mu 鲁穆公 ?-416-383BC | Duke Mu 鲁穆公 ?-416-383BC | Duke Mu 鲁穆公 ?-416-383BC | Duke Mu 鲁穆公 ?-416-383BC | Duke Mu 鲁穆公 ?-416-383BC | Duke Mu 鲁穆公 ?-416-383BC | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Duke Gong 鲁共公 ?-383-353BC | Duke Gong 鲁共公 ?-383-353BC | Duke Gong 鲁共公 ?-383-353BC | Duke Gong 鲁共公 ?-383-353BC | Duke Gong 鲁共公 ?-383-353BC | Duke Gong 鲁共公 ?-383-353BC | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Duke Kang 鲁康公 ?-353-344BC | Duke Kang 鲁康公 ?-353-344BC | Duke Kang 鲁康公 ?-353-344BC | Duke Kang 鲁康公 ?-353-344BC | Duke Kang 鲁康公 ?-353-344BC | Duke Kang 鲁康公 ?-353-344BC | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Duke Jing 鲁景公 ?-344-323BC | Duke Jing 鲁景公 ?-344-323BC | Duke Jing 鲁景公 ?-344-323BC | Duke Jing 鲁景公 ?-344-323BC | Duke Jing 鲁景公 ?-344-323BC | Duke Jing 鲁景公 ?-344-323BC | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Duke Ping 鲁平公 ?-323-303BC | Duke Ping 鲁平公 ?-323-303BC | Duke Ping 鲁平公 ?-323-303BC | Duke Ping 鲁平公 ?-323-303BC | Duke Ping 鲁平公 ?-323-303BC | Duke Ping 鲁平公 ?-323-303BC | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Duke Wen 鲁文公 ?-303-280BC | Duke Wen 鲁文公 ?-303-280BC | Duke Wen 鲁文公 ?-303-280BC | Duke Wen 鲁文公 ?-303-280BC | Duke Wen 鲁文公 ?-303-280BC | Duke Wen 鲁文公 ?-303-280BC | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Duke Qing 鲁顷公 ?-280-256-249BC | Duke Qing 鲁顷公 ?-280-256-249BC | Duke Qing 鲁顷公 ?-280-256-249BC | Duke Qing 鲁顷公 ?-280-256-249BC | Duke Qing 鲁顷公 ?-280-256-249BC | Duke Qing 鲁顷公 ?-280-256-249BC | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |