King Wen of Zhou

King Wen of Zhou was a respected leader and the father of the more famous King Wu, who founded the Zhou Dynasty around 1046 BCE in China. Known for his wisdom, integrity, and effective governance, King Wen laid the cultural and political groundwork that enabled the Zhou to overthrow the Shang Dynasty. His leadership emphasized moral virtue, ritual, and the importance of good governance, which influenced Chinese philosophy and political ideals. Though he spent many years imprisoned, his legacy grew as a symbol of righteous rule and virtue, shaping Chinese concepts of morality and kingship for centuries.