Hongguang (era)

Hongguang (弘光, January 1645 – intercalary June) was the era name of the Hongguang Emperor of the Southern Ming. It was used for about six months.

In the 4th month of the first year of Hongguang (1645), due to internal rebellion, the Ming forces suffered a major defeat in a war against the Qing and the Hongguang Emperor was taken prisoner. In the 5th month, the captured Hongguang Emperor and several of his ministers were beheaded at the Qing court. In intercalary 6th month, after the Longwu Emperor ascended the throne, it was used until the era was changed to Longwu.

Zhu Yihai (朱以海), the Prince of Lu who served as regent (監國), did not recognize the Longwu Emperor, and his faction continued to use the Hongguang era until the 12th month, after which in the 1st month of 1646 he changed the era name to Jianguo Lu (監國魯). The era Jianguo Lu was used for about 7 years and 2 months, until he gave up the regency in the 3rd month of 1653.

Establishment and change

• On the 15th day of the 5th month of the 17th year of Chongzhen (崇禎) (the Renyin day of the 8th month of the Jiashen year)¹ (Gregorian calendar 19 June 1644), the era name was set as Hongguang (弘光), and it took effect on the 1st day of the 1st month of the following year² (Gregorian calendar 28 January 1645).³⁴⁵⁶

• On the 27th day of intercalary 6th month of the 1st year of Hongguang (弘光) (Gregorian calendar 18 August 1645), the era name was set as Longwu (隆武), and it took effect on the 1st day of the following month, 7th month (Gregorian calendar 21 August 1645).