The Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors (Classical Chinese: 三皇五帝; Pinyin: Sānhuáng wǔdì; Wade-Giles: San-huang wu-ti) were a group of semi- mythological rulers and culture heroes from ancient China during the period circa 3500 BCE to 2000 BCE. This period preceded the Xia Dynasty. In myth, the three sovereigns were demigods who used their abilities to help create mankind and impart essential skills and knowledge. The five emperors were exemplary sages possessed of great moral character.