西周 (Xīzhōu): Western Zhou (1046–771 BC)

Meanings

1 Western Zhou (1046–771 BC)
2 first half of the Zhou dynasty, capital at Hao near modern Xi'an

Characters

西

Examples

西周实行分封制。

Xīzhōu shíxíng fēnfēngzhì.

The Western Zhou practised the enfeoffment system.

西周的青铜器非常有名。

Xīzhōu de qīngtóngqì fēicháng yǒumíng.

The bronzeware of the Western Zhou is very famous.

Tips

history

Named 'Western' because its capital Haojing (镐京) sat west of Luoyang — after barbarian incursions sacked Hao in 771 BC, the court fled east and the era became Eastern Zhou. The 'West/East' split is always capital-geographic, not chronological direction.