ABSTRACT
The custom of name tabooing was present in all periods of Chinese history. It affected not only the emperor and intellectuals, but also all other social strata, and had a big influence on everyday life of all Chinese. We can imagine many such situations: First, one had to know the taboo names of one’s own family. They were often recorded in family genealogies and avoided, for example, in the naming a newborn child. Secondly, one had to ask about the taboos of other people in order not to offend anybody.1 Especially taboos of people with power (and their family members) had to be learnt, such as those of emperors and officials.
