This is not only the case in the Tang Dynasty, but also in many dynasties. Another point is that not all Tang kings are ancestors. Generally, the founding emperor’s temple name is Zu. For example, Li Yuan is called Tang Gaozu. In the Ming and Qing Dynasties, As a special case, the temple names of Zhu Yuanzhang and Zhu Di are both Zu, Ming Taizu, and Ming Chengzu. Nurhaci is the Qing Taizu, and Kangxi is the Qing Shengzu. Zong is the honorific title given to the emperor by his descendants after his death. The same is true for Zu, which is given to the founding emperor, or It was awarded by the descendants of flatterers to the non-founding emperors who had made great achievements. Zu and Zong are connected together to form ancestors, indicating that these people are the ancestors of this dynasty.
The second word of the temple name also has a meaning. The first and second generations of the founding of the country all used the word Tai, Gao, those who made great achievements used benevolence, filial piety, and so on, those who were confused used God, spirit, etc., and those who destroyed the country used mourning, waste. , after what?