符氏族谱

老爷子

On 符氏族谱Fu2 Shi4 Zu2 Pu3, the Foo clan genealogy SUN-HOO FOO, MD. FACP, FAAN
1/87 April 2004
On 符氏族谱Fu2 Shi4 Zu2 Pu3, the Foo clan genealogy
Sun-Hoo Foo (32-74)1[1]
符传孝Fu2Chuan2xiao4
INTRODUCTION
My study of the Foo family history began in 1984. My wife and I took our children to visit
Brunei Darussalam, the Southeast Asian country where we had grew up and where our relatives still
reside. It was at this time that my father, Foo Hong (31-73) (符大(永)焕 Fu2Da4 (Yong3) Huan4),
handed me the "符氏族谱 Fu2 Shi4 Zu2 Pu3." The Foo clan genealogical records had been reprinted
in 1982 by Foo Tee Tay (符氏社fu2shi4she4), our Clan Temple in Singapore. It was eleven volumes
long and weighed twenty pounds! Since each photocopied page contained four of the original pages, this
reprint was only one quarter of the original document!
The compilation of this 符氏族谱Fu2 Shi4 Zu2 Pu3 required 603 people and five years of work.
From 1933-1938, 符元春 (28-70) (Fu2Yuan2Chun1)2[2] and 符致逵(30-72) (Fu2Zhi4Kui2), an
Economic professor at Nan Kai University (南开大学Nan2 Kai1 da4xue2), led the project. This
zu2pu3 articulated the links to the Foo clan's previous zu2pu3s and, ultimately, to the first generation of
Foo (符Fu2), a surname which was created during the Qin Dynasty (秦Qin2 ).
My father also gave me two calligraphic zu2pu3s, which begin with the 19th and 28th generations
of Foos after immigrating to海南Hainan respectively. They describe our family history for the past
seventy years and link my children's generation to the 1938 Fu2 Shi4 Zu2 Pu3. With the information
contained in these genealogical records, we can accurately trace our ancestry for 2,215 years and 75
generations to 符雅Fu2Ya4 and, with some extrapolation, for 3,114 years and 109 generations to 周旦
(Zhou1Dan4 ).
My son Farng-Yang Foo (33-75) (符芳扬, Fu2 Fang1Yang2) has also researched our family
history. During his senior year in high school, he enrolled in an Independent Study class and conducted
independent research on his ethnic identity. His work has contributed to my understanding of our family
history and his unique approach in addressing our ancestry has reassured me that our family history will
not be lost to future generations.3[3]
1[1] Following the names of the Foo family members, I have included their generational rank in parenthesis. The first number
is their generational rank after 符有辰(1-42) (Fu2You3Chen2) who was the first ancestor to migrate from mainland China to
Hainan Island and the second represents their generational rank counting from 符 雅Fu2Ya4 (0-1), the first individual to
bear the Foo name.
2[2] Unfortunately, 符元春 (28-70) (Fu2Yuan2Chun1) did not include additional biographical information about himself in
the records.
3[3] In this Independent Study, Farng-Yang Foo (33-75) (符芳扬, Fu2 Fang1Yang2) wrote a number of papers: "Stories,"
"Foo Fables," "Untitled" and "My Mom's Side." He also wrote "A Brief History of the Foo Family" for our family
newsletter (Jan 1993) and "Zhi Zhu Pu" for From a Different Shore (March 1993), Horace Mann School's annual Asian
American publication. His research also gave him the foundation to write a personal essay entitled "Ingrid's Letter" which
was published in The Drum: The HM Minority Student Publication Vol. 5-1.
On 符氏族谱Fu2 Shi4 Zu2 Pu3, the Foo clan genealogy SUN-HOO FOO, MD. FACP, FAAN
2/87 April 2004
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
What is a 族谱zu2pu3 What is a family temple
The zu2pu3 is a genealogical record of a particular clan. It contains an individual's name and the
names of his wife and sons. It also lists his date of birth and his date of death, as well as the location of
his burial site and the direction that his tombstone faces. The zu2pu3 records the individual's
generational and sibling rank as well as the name of the individual's father. Similar information is
recorded for each of the individual's sons.
The zu2pu3 is associated with the family temple, which is tended by the family's eldest son. The
Chinese place a lot of value in their family ties. We believe that the blessings that we have today are a
result of the good deeds of our predecessors. We also believe that our current actions will affect our
future generations. Deceased relatives who are significant contributors to the family are given a place in
the family temple and are worshipped so that they continue to bless the family. In ancient times, the
family temple was extremely important. Familial connections were necessary to secure professional
opportunities and the temple and its annual celebrations held at the temple were key in establishing
personal and professional networks. Those in charge of the temple played pivotal roles in the
community.
Whenever someone moved to a new place and became successful, a new family temple would be
established and that individual would become the first generation of that temple. The new temple would
acknowledge its ties to the previous temple and note its relative generational rank. Because this system
insured ties to prior family temples and previous family records, future generations whose fathers and
forefathers had followed tradition can easily map their ancestry.
How did we obtain the Fu2Shi4Zu2Pu3 符氏族谱, the Foo clan genealogy
My father, Foo Hong (31-73) (符大 (永) 焕, Fu2Da4 (Yong3) Huan4), traveled to Hainan, the
second largest island in China, to obtain these records from our relatives and meticulously traced our
lineage within these texts.
The aforementioned "Fu2 Shi4 Zu2 Pu3 符氏族谱" compiled in 1938 and reprinted in 1982
contains information about the first zu2pu3 of the Foo family which was compiled around 960 AC,
during the Song dynasty (宋Song4 ), and which contained a preface written by famous scholar 欧阳修
(Ou1 Yang2 Xiu1).
Interestingly enough, according to the zu2pu3 created in the 1930s, our ancestor 符文章
Fu2Wen2 Zhang1 (17-59) disappeared. However, one of the calligraphic zu2pu3s that my father
obtained begins with the 19th generation of Foo, soon after 符正方 Fu2Zheng4Fang1(18-60), 文章Wen2
Zhang1's son, moved to a small village, 文山园村(Wen2Shan1Yuan2Cun1). With the exception of my
grandfather 符成鋆 Fu2Cheng2Yun2 ( 30-72) who migrated to Malaysia, the descendents of 符正方
Fu2Zheng4Fang1(18-60) have lived in this area ever since. The Foo Clan Temple, 温泉公社
(Wen1Quan2Gong1She4), is still located in 文山园村(Wen2Shan1Yuan2Cun1) but the name of the
village has changed to 文塘村(Wen2Tang2Cun1). It houses the current calligraphic zu2pu3 which
begins with 符名节Fu2Ming2Jie2 (28-70).
On 符氏族谱Fu2 Shi4 Zu2 Pu3, the Foo clan genealogy SUN-HOO FOO, MD. FACP, FAAN

老爷子

3/87 April 2004
How do generation names tie into this discussion
One of motivations behind compiling the Fu2 Shi4 Zu2 Pu3 符氏族谱 during the 1930s was to
clear up the confusion concerning generation names. At the time, there were six main branches of the
Foo family in Hainan and each had adopted its own generational poem. The five branches agreed on the
necessity of having one 连谱lian2pu3 and adopted a new 40-word poem with which to name their
offspring.
Chinese names typically consist of three one-syllable words: the surname, the generation name
and the individual's personal name. 4[4] For example, my son's name is 符芳扬Fu2 Fang1Yang2. Fu2 is
his surname. Fang1 is his generation name. 扬Yang2 is his personal name. Someone who is familiar
with the Foo family's generation poem would know that芳扬Fang1Yang2 is of the 33-75 generation
since all the offspring of the 33-75 generation have the generation name Fang1.5[5] The 40 words in the
Foo family generation poem are all different so there is no duplication between generations.
In picking the personal names of my children, I also utilized a poem. Their names are扬永远怡
Yang2Yeong3Yuan3Yi2 which loosely translates to "spreading forever in time and space, the
happiness." Since 芳 Fang1 means "pleasant" and "fragrant" and "good" in reference to "name" and
"deeds," 芳扬Fang1Yang2 translates "to make known" or "to spread good deeds." 芳永Fang1Yeong3
translates to "pleasant and fragrant, good deeds forever in time." 芳远 Fang1Yuan3 means "pleasant and
fragrant, good deeds spread far in space" and 芳怡Fang1Yi2 means "pleasant and fragrant, good deeds
and happiness." The linguistic ties that I created between my children's names speaks to my desire for
them to maintain close bonds, to work together and to support each other in being successful and
contributing to society.
OUR ANCESTERS
The 符 Fu2 Family
According to the Fu2Shi4Zu2 Pu3 符氏族谱, 雅 (0-1) (Ya3) was given the surname Foo (符
Fu2) by 秦始皇 Qin2Si3Huang1, the first emperor of the Qin Dynasty (秦Qin2) (221-207 BC). The
Emperor gave him the surname Foo (符 Fu2) because of his work governing the royal seals and his
subsequent title of 符玺令fu2xi3ling4. 符 雅 (0-1) (Fu2Ya3) was the minister responsible for the
execution of the Emperor's orders. His original surname was 姬Ji1 and he was the grandson of 顷公
qing3gong1 of 鲁Lu3, the 34th descendent of 周旦 Zhou1Dan4.6[6]
4[4] In the United States and in English-speaking countries as a whole, names are ordered differently. Personal names are
generally first and family names are generally last. In order to avoid confusion, many Chinese who live in these countries
place their surnames last and hyphenate their generation and personal names.
5[5] The pinyin spelling of the Chinese character 芳is "fang1" and means "canine teeth" in English. Taking that into
consideration when I named my children, I used "farng," an alternative transliteration of the generation name.
6[6] 周旦 Zhou1Dan4 was the bishop brother of 武王Emperor Wu3 Wang2 of the 周Zhou1 Dynasty
(1122-255 BC). Emperor 武王Wu3 Wang2's ancestry can be traced to黄帝Huang2Ti4 (2697 BC), the
first emperor of China.
On 符氏族谱Fu2 Shi4 Zu2 Pu3, the Foo clan genealogy SUN-HOO FOO, MD. FACP, FAAN
4/87 April 2004
Many of the members of the generations following 符 雅 (0-1) (Fu2 Ya3) were 太守tai4shou3
and 刺史ci4shi3, which loosely translates as mayors and governors. 符 崇 Fu2Chong2 (0-6) was even
named the King of Qin2 (秦王Qin2Wang2). During the 汉 Han4 dynasty, our ancestor 符融
Fu2Rong2(0-14) was a prominent scholar and served in the National Academy. During the 唐Tang2
dynasty, 符令奇 Fu2Ling4Qi2 ( 0-33, 782-861 AD) and his eldest son, 符 璘Fu2Lin2 (0-34) were
prominent generals. 符璘Fu2Lin2 was given the title King of 义阳Yi4-Yang2 (义阳郡王Yi4 Yang2
Jun4 Wang2).
The new generation poem of the Foo Family 联谱lian2pu3, literally means to combine or unit
the genealogy, that was adopted in the 1930s begins with a statement praising 符璘Fu2Lin2 (义阳郡王
Yi4 Yang2 Jun4 Wang2). It reads as the following:
义阳标懋绩 史策永传芳 式谷诒谋远 前徽衍庆长
秉心存孝友 兴学育贤良 善继先人志 文章蔚国光
义阳标懋绩
King Yi4Yang4 had outstanding achievement.
史策永传芳
The history books have forever recorded his glorious deeds.
The fact that the six branches of the Foo Family in Hainan decided to begin their unifying generation
poem with 璘Fu2Lin2's title demonstrates an active desire to honor him. It testifies to his prior success
and to the significant contribution he made in our family's history.
During the Seventh century, the second Emperor of the Tang2 dynasty ranked the most
influential families of China and符Fu2 was included in the 甲乙姓jia3yi2xing4, i.e. Number One and
Two Surnames.
The next important phase in Foo family history was during the 五代wu3dai4, the Five Dynasties
Period (906-960 AD), which was one of the most turbulent and exciting periods in the history of China.
Over a span of 54 years, five different dynasties rose to and fell from power. Our ancestor符 存审
Fu2Cun2Shen3 (0-39) was able to maintain his general position through hundreds of battles and was
appointed Manager of Calvary and Soldiers, 马步总管ma3bu4zong3guan3. Posthumously, he was
awarded the titles of governor ( 节度史 jie2du4shi3) and high officer (尚书令shang4shu1lin4).
His nine sons were famous generals, especially his fourth son, 符彦卿Fu2Yan4Qing1 (0-40,
897-975 AD). He maintained his position through the tumultuous rise and fall of dynasties and was
infamous among the Barbarians from the West. A common colloquial phrase that they would use even
in response to dealing with their sick horses would be " Is king 彦卿Yan4Qing1 responsible for this
too " 彦卿Yan4Qing1 was awarded many royal titles, including King of Wei (魏王Wei4Wang2).
On 符氏族谱Fu2 Shi4 Zu2 Pu3, the Foo clan genealogy SUN-HOO FOO, MD. FACP, FAAN
5/87 April 2004
彦卿Yan4Qing1's descendents were also very prominent. Many of his sons became generals
and three of his daughters became empresses. The first daughter was empress of the 世宗Shi4Zong1 of
后周Hou4Zhou1 dynasty. His second daughter was also the wife of 世宗Shi4Zong1 She governed the
country with 宗训Zong1Xun4, her son who became emperor at seven years old.7[7] She later was named
西宫太后 Xi1Gong1Tai4Hou4, Grand Empress of the West Court by 太 祖tai4zu3 of 宋song4, who
overthrown the Hou4 Zhou1 dynasty.
彦卿Yan4Qing1's sixth daughter married 宋太宗Song4Tai4Zong1 before he became the second
emperor of the Song4 dynasty (960-1278 AD). When 宋太宗Song4Tai4Zong1 became the King of Jin4
(晋王jin4wang2), she was given the title, Lady of Yue4, 越国夫人Yue4Guo3Fu1Ren2. Unfortunately,
she died at the age of 34, before her husband became emperor. When he rose to power, she was given
the title the Empress of Exemplary Virtue (懿德 皇后 Yi4De2Huang2Hou4) posthumously.
During the Song dynasty (宋Song4 ), four Foo generals were sent to govern Hainan Island, the
second largest island in China. One of them was 符有辰Fu2 You3 Chen2(1-42). In 1205 AD, he
migrated to this southern island. Due to his effectiveness in governing the island, he was given the title
the Nobleman who Received Taxes from 10,000 Peasants ( 万户侯wan4hu4hou2). His four sons were
also generals. The third one , 符宗举 Fu2Zong1Ju3 (2-44) was so well-respected that after he died he
was worshiped as a god by the natives.

老爷子

During the 1930s, my grandfather, 符成鋆 Fu2Cheng2Yun2 ( 30-72) moved to Malaysia and,
during the 1950s, my father moved my mother, my siblings and me to Brunei Darussalam. The Foo
family continues to prosper on Hainan Island and, to this day, plays a prominent role on the Island.
Moving to Hainan was a mixed blessing for the Foo family. Departure from the mainland
ensured our prosperity but at the same time, it deprived us of the opportunity to play a major role in
subsequent Chinese history. Because of this break from the mainland, the Foo family is able to trace its
roots with ease. Most likely, any Chinese individual you meet with the 符Fu2 surname is from Hainan
Island.
I wonder what happened to the Foos who remained in mainland China. About 800 years and
about 32 generations have passed. Since only a few of our relatives went to Hainan Island to govern, the
majority still lived in mainland China. Therefore, it seems likely that the Foo descendents in mainland
China would currently outnumber the Foo descendents on the island. Why aren't there many Foos in
mainland China Were the Foos who remained in the mainland killed Did they change their name to
avoid prosecution from subsequent Western invasions If so, what other names did they adopt 8[8]
The Liew (刘 Liu2) Family
7[7] When he was overthrown, 宗训Zong1Xun4 became King of Zheng ( 郑王Zheng4Wang2).
8[8] In analyzing the numbers from the zu2pu3, it becomes clear that, at a bare minimum, the number of offspring doubles
each generation and I would venture to say that this could even be seen as a gross underestimation. Of the twenty-seven
brothers in my father's generation, four died at young age and two were adopted. Eight out of the remaining twenty-one
never registered in the zu2pu3. Of the thirteen that did register, there were only 30 offspring registered and this number does
not include female offspring.
On 符氏族谱Fu2 Shi4 Zu2 Pu3, the Foo clan genealogy SUN-HOO FOO, MD. FACP, FAAN
6/87 April 2004
Although it may seem unconventional to bring up my wife's lineage in a discussion about the
Foo family history, I believe that it is important for my children to know about their mother's family as
well as my own. In addition to interviewing my father and examining the laws and moral teachings of
the Foo family, in his high school Independent Study, my son Farng-Yang Foo (33-75) (符芳扬,
Fu2Fang1Yang2) investigated his mother's family history. He included the latter information in a high
school paper he wrote entitled "My Mom's Side."
My wife Anastatia's maiden Chinese name is 刘芝莲Liu2Zhi1Lian2. She is a direct descendent
of the rulers of the 汉朝Han dynasty (206 BC - 220 AD). Her lineage can be traced to the first four Han
dynasty emperors: 高祖gao1zu3 (刘邦Liu2Bang1), emperor Hui2(惠帝Hui2,emperor Wen2(文帝
Wen2di4),emperor Jing3(景帝Jing3di4). Her ancestry also includes the two Emperors of 蜀汉
Shu3Han4 (220-280 AD). Her family is able to trace their ancestry because of a family temple situated
in the small village 龙鼓滩Long2Gu3 in 新界Xin1Jie4, also known as New Territory, Hong Kong. This
family temple was established about five generations ago, before my wife's grandfather, 刘天带
Liu2Tian1Dai4 immigrated to Brunei Darussalam.
In 1999, when Stephen Liew, my wife's father, passed away, I traveled with her and my
daughters Farng-Yeong Foo (33-75) (符 芳永Fu2Fang1Yeong3) and Farng-Yuan Foo (33-75) (符 芳远
Fu2Fang1Yuan3) to visit the Liew family temple and ensure that they also know their root from the 刘
Liew family zu2pu3.
CONCLUSION
There are many lessons that can be learned from the 族谱zu2pu3.
From our ancestors, we know that success cannot be inherited. It only "lasts" when successive
generations work hard. There were famous examples in our ancestor struggles. The following quotes
say it all.
将相本无种,男儿当自强
jiang1xiang1ben3wu2zhong4,nan2er2dang1zi4qiang2
Generals and Ministers are not predestined.
Man has to be strong and pursue excellence oneself
Simultaneously, the 族谱zu2pu3 teaches us to respect the past. There would be no present without the
struggles and hard work of our relatives in the past. I am grateful that my family had the resources to set
up family temples, let alone to produce such documents.
Although I feel lucky to live in such a challenging world and changing time, rapid technical
advances make things feel transient and, sometimes, it seems as if everything is disposable. The 族谱
zu2pu3 is a document that gives me personal insight into institutional history. The names and deeds
cited in my discussion of the Foo ancestors were not only derived from the Foo family zu2pu3s but also
listed in the official histories of the Tang and Song dynasties.
On 符氏族谱Fu2 Shi4 Zu2 Pu3, the Foo clan genealogy SUN-HOO FOO, MD. FACP, FAAN
7/87 April 2004
Times have changed. In the past, female offspring were not given the same generational name as
their male siblings. My brothers and I gave all of our children, both male and female, names from the
Foo family generation poem. My father also made sure to write Nin Ho (念豪nian4hao2), the name of
my sister and his only daughter, in the current Foo family族谱zu2pu3.
I wonder what will become of the Foo Family in the US. With the accuracy of computers and
the convenience of the Internet, it may be easier to track future generations and it will be interesting to
see what happens to the future. Someone who bares the name Foo may have descendents with last
names like Mack, Smith, Jones, Park or Escobar. In the end, our Foo descendents may bear more
genetic resemblance to other non-Foo individuals than to fellow descendents of our genealogical line.
My investigation into my family history has strengthened my belief that racial differences are more an
issue of perception rather than biological and scientific fact, especially in this rapid changing age. What
is all this fighting we see The world would be a much better place if we worked together rather than
hurt each other.
These are my thoughts for today. Happy New Year 2004.
Sun-Hoo Foo (32-74) ( revised January 11, 2004 )
With editorial help from Farng-Yeong Foo (33-75)
The Chinese vocabulary in this document (GB files)
符氏族谱
雅有辰 文章 鲁顷公 秦始皇黄帝
文山园村 符焕成鋆 芳扬 钰
融 汉 唐朝 令奇 麟 义阳郡王
五代 存审 尚书 节度史
马步 彦卿yan4qing1魏王wei4wang2
后周hou4zhou1世宗shi4zong1
西宫太后 Xi1gong1tai4hou4
宗训zong1xun4 恭帝gong1di4
宋太宗song4tai4zong1 祖zu3国郑王Zheng4wang2 `
晋王jin4wang2
越国夫人yue4guo3fu1ren2懿德yi4de2
甲乙姓jia3yi2xing4 万户侯wan4hu4hou2
宗举 zong1ju3崇chong2
秦王qin2wang2
芳永芳远芳怡扬
汉邦bang1文景惠蜀汉shu3han4
龙鼓滩long2gu3新界xin1jie4 天带tian1dai4
香蕉xiang1jiao1 竹心zhu1xin1
族谱zu2pu3
On 符氏族谱Fu2 Shi4 Zu2 Pu3, the Foo clan genealogy SUN-HOO FOO, MD. FACP, FAAN
8/87 April 2004
将相本无种,男儿当自强种儿
元春yuan2chun1 致逵 zhi4kui2
南开nan2 kai1符芝莲zhi1lian2
尚书shang4shu1 a high official in ancient China; minister (in the Ming and Qing dynasties).
总管zong2guan2 manager.
懿yi4 exemplary. 皇后huang2hou4