Emperor Xiaowen of Northern Wei
The ca. 554 AD "Weishu" history records a story that when Emperor Xiaowen of Northern Wei (r. 471–499 AD) wanted to retire from the throne, he tested his sons by letting them choose among a number objects, and the one who selected a bone "ruyi" (symbolizing political rule) became Emperor Xuanwu of Northern Wei (r. 500–515). Kieschnick (2003:144) concludes "that by the end of the sixth century, not only was the "ruyi" common at court, but it had even begun to take on emblematic significance as the mark of a ruler." Although the "ruyi" symbolized imperial political power, it differed from the Western royal scepter because Chinese officials and monks commonly used it.