Wu (伍) Chinese Surname

Profile

• Surname: Wu (伍)
• Meanings : five people in a group ,  army troop.
• Languanges : Old Chinese
• Ancestor : Wu Can (伍參) (circa 7th century BC) 
• Period : Zhou Dynasty , Warring States
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• Mainland: 128th  
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• Cantonese : Ng

Common Romanisation  :  

• Wu (吴/吳) (10th) 
• Wu (武) (91th)
• Wǔ (伍) (128th)
• Wu (仵)
• Wu (烏)
• Wū (鄔)
• Wu (巫)

History

During the Spring and Autumn Period  of the Zhou Dynasty , the state of Jin and Chu were the most powerful . But Jin was considered the most civilized state , while Chu was considered a semi-barbarian state. Jin-Chu rivalry escalated with the decisive victory for Jin at the Battle of Chengpu. After the death Duke Wen of Jin , Chu took opportunity to take revenge.

King Zhuang forced the state of Zheng to switch allegiance for Chu . Meanwhile Jin armies under Commander Xun Linfu camped along the northern bank of the Yellow River . Xun Linfu hesitated after hearing the surrender of Zheng and was in favour of retreat. But Xun's adjutant , Xuan Hu assumed that it would be very embarrassing to avoid war as the hegemonic state , and led his troops across the Yellow river .

King Zhuang and his commander , Sun Shuao , was intimidated by the Jin army were well organised , was in favour of retreat . But Wu Can advised to attack , citing the inexperience of Xun Linfu and the vanity of Xian Hu as the weakness that could be exploited. King Zhuang finally listened Wu Can and ordered the Chu army to attack Jin .

The batlle of Bi was over for the victory of Chu . Wu Can was highly decorated and was promoted. His descendants continued to use Wu as their surname.

Notable People

• Wu Yunlong (伍允龙) (Phillip Ng Wan-Lung)