Emperor Shun (
舜) is one of the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors of legend, paired with Yao (
尧) as a model of virtuous rule. The Hunan tomb is tied to the legend that Shun died on a southern inspection tour and was buried at Mount Jiuyi (
九嶷山) — his consorts Ehuang and Nüying wept tears that stained the local bamboo, giving rise to
湘妃竹 'spotted bamboo'.
