Wolff Telegraphic Bureau (WTB), German news agency founded in 1849 by physician Bernhard Wolff. Formed shortly after the Havas and Reuters news agencies, WTB served as the primary German news agency and was one of only a handful of international news services for about 75 years. Wolff became

WarnerMedia: Warner: …were sold in 1986 to Turner Broadcasting System, which in turn merged with Time Warner Inc. in 1996.) Television also presented new opportunities for Warner Brothers, where the hit series Maverick (1957) and 77 Sunset Strip (1958) were made. In 1967 Jack Warner sold his remaining stake in the company…

World Trade Center, complex of several buildings around a central plaza in New York City that in 2001 was the site of the deadliest terrorist attack in American history. (See September 11 attacks.) The complex—located at the southwestern tip of Manhattan, near the shore of the Hudson River and a

Steve Reich: …World Trade Center, Reich composed WTC 9/11: For Three String Quartets and Pre-recorded Voices (2010), incorporating recordings of emergency personnel and New York residents that had been made on the day of the tragedy.

ARCHIVED TOPIC: This topic was archived on June 3, 2013 and will no longer be updated. On June 3, 2012, because Park51 has had a prayer center since 2009 (although technically not a mosque since it does not have an "imam in residence"), and as of Sep. 21, 2011, it also houses a photography exhibit

Rembrandt: Portraits: …the famous banned Remonstrant preacher Johannes Wtenbogaert, who was also portrayed by Michiel Janszoon van Mierevelt and Jacob Adriaenszoon Backer.

Marc Maron: …best known for the podcast WTF with Marc Maron, which often featured candid interviews with celebrities and newsmakers.

World Trade Organization (WTO), international organization established to supervise and liberalize world trade. The WTO is the successor to the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT), which was created in 1947 in the expectation that it would soon be replaced by a specialized agency of the

Billie Jean King: …of a group that founded World TeamTennis (WTT) in 1974. King served as the player-coach of the Philadelphia Freedoms, thus becoming one of the first women to coach professional male athletes. The WTT folded after 1978 because of financial losses, but King revived the competition in 1981. In that same…

Television in the United States: Educational TV: …stations, including WGBH in Boston, WTTW in Chicago, and KQED in San Francisco. In 1965 the Carnegie Foundation established its Commission on Education Television to conduct a study of ETV and make recommendations for future action. The report from the commission was published about two years later, and it became…

Women’s Trade Union League (WTUL), American organization, the first national association dedicated to organizing women workers. Founded in 1903, the WTUL proved remarkably successful in uniting women from all classes to work toward better, fairer working conditions. The organization relied largely

Taoism: Cosmology: …the Named (youming), Nothing (wu) and Something (you), are interdependent and “grow out of one another.”

Satori, in Zen Buddhism of Japan, the inner, intuitive experience of Enlightenment; Satori is said to be unexplainable, indescribable, and unintelligible by reason and logic. It is comparable to the experience undergone by Gautama Buddha when he sat under the Bo tree and, as such, is the central

China: The Zhou feudal system: …bce, when the states of Wu and Yue far to the south suddenly challenged Chu for hegemony over the southern part of China, at a time when the strong state of Jin was much weakened by an internecine struggle among powerful magnates. Wu got so far as to claim overlordship…

China: Dong (Eastern) Han: This was the kingdom of Wu, with its capital at Jianye, under the initial dispensation of Sun Quan.

China: The Shiguo (Ten Kingdoms): …mainly in the south: the Wu (902–937), the Nan (Southern) Tang (937–975/976), the Nan Ping (924–963), the Chu (927–951), the Qian (Former) Shu (907–925), the Hou (Later) Shu (934–965), the Min (909–945), the Bei (Northern) Han (951–979), the Nan Han

Wu Changshuo was a Chinese seal carver, painter, and calligrapher who was prominent in the early 20th century. Wu was born into a scholarly family and began writing poems and carving seals by age 10. As a young man, Wu passed the civil service examinations and started a family, while still pursuing

Wu Cheng’en was a novelist and poet of the Ming dynasty (1368–1644), generally acknowledged as the author of the Chinese folk novel Xiyouji (Journey to the West, also partially translated as Monkey). Wu received a traditional Confucian education and was appointed a resident scholar at the imperial

Wu Changshuo was a Chinese seal carver, painter, and calligrapher who was prominent in the early 20th century. Wu was born into a scholarly family and began writing poems and carving seals by age 10. As a young man, Wu passed the civil service examinations and started a family, while still pursuing

Wu Zhen was one of the group of Chinese painters later known as the Four Masters of the Yuan, or Mongol, dynasty (1206–1368). His fame derives particularly from his incorruptible life as a recluse (and diviner) away from the Mongol court. Wu, like others of the group, sought stylistic inspiration

Wu Cheng’en was a novelist and poet of the Ming dynasty (1368–1644), generally acknowledged as the author of the Chinese folk novel Xiyouji (Journey to the West, also partially translated as Monkey). Wu received a traditional Confucian education and was appointed a resident scholar at the imperial

Wu River system, river system the main course of which is a tributary of the Yangtze River (Chang Jiang) in south-central China. Rising near Weining in the hills of western Guizhou province close to the border with Yunnan province, the main course flows east through narrow gorges between steep

Wujing, five ancient Chinese books whose prestige is so great that in the fourfold classification of Chinese writings the jing (“classics”) are placed before shi (“history”), zi (“philosophy”), and ji (“literature”) in order of importance. For 2,000 years these five classics, all associated in some

Wu Jingzi was the author of the first Chinese satirical novel, Rulinwaishi (c. 1750; The Scholars). Wu Jingzi was a member of a scholarly and well-to-do family. He succeeded neither academically nor financially, however, and he was unable or unwilling to pass the higher official examinations. He

Wu Daoxuan was a painter of the Chinese Tang dynasty (618–907) who was so praised by later critics that his contributions are almost buried in myth. He is recorded as having painted a wide variety of subjects, perhaps painting large wall compositions of an essentially Buddhist character more than

Wu Daoxuan was a painter of the Chinese Tang dynasty (618–907) who was so praised by later critics that his contributions are almost buried in myth. He is recorded as having painted a wide variety of subjects, perhaps painting large wall compositions of an essentially Buddhist character more than

Forbidden City: …more notable landmarks are the Wu (Meridian) Gate, the Hall of Supreme Harmony (Taihedian), and the Imperial Garden (Yuhuayuan). The Wu Gate is the imposing formal southern entrance to the Forbidden City. Its auxiliary wings, which flank the entryway, are outstretched like the forepaws of a guardian lion or sphinx.…

China: Attacks on cultural figures: …first target was the historian Wu Han, who doubled as the deputy mayor of Beijing. In a play Wu wrote, he supposedly had used allegorical devices to lampoon Mao and laud the deposed former minister of defense, Peng Dehuai. The denunciation of Wu and his play in November 1965 constituted…

Harry Hongda Wu was a Chinese-born American activist who is best known for his efforts to expose human rights violations in China. Wu Hongda was born to a homemaker and a banker. At age 13 he began attending an elite Jesuit school for boys in Shanghai, where he was nicknamed “Harry.” He later

wuxing, originally a moral theory associated with Zisi, the grandson of Confucius, and Mencius. In the 3rd century bce, the sage-alchemist Zou Yan introduced a systematic cosmological theory under the same rubric that was to dominate the intellectual world of the Han dynasty (206 bce–220 ce). In

Xuanzong: The first was Wu Huifei, who had great influence from the early 720s until her death in 737; she played a part in the rise of Li Linfu and eventually became involved in unsuccessful plots to make her own eldest son heir to the throne in place of…

Wu River system, river system the main course of which is a tributary of the Yangtze River (Chang Jiang) in south-central China. Rising near Weining in the hills of western Guizhou province close to the border with Yunnan province, the main course flows east through narrow gorges between steep

Wu Jingzi was the author of the first Chinese satirical novel, Rulinwaishi (c. 1750; The Scholars). Wu Jingzi was a member of a scholarly and well-to-do family. He succeeded neither academically nor financially, however, and he was unable or unwilling to pass the higher official examinations. He

Wu Changshuo was a Chinese seal carver, painter, and calligrapher who was prominent in the early 20th century. Wu was born into a scholarly family and began writing poems and carving seals by age 10. As a young man, Wu passed the civil service examinations and started a family, while still pursuing

Wu language, variety of Chinese dialects spoken in Shanghai, in southeastern Jiangsu province, and in Zhejiang province by more than 8 percent of the population of China (some 85 million people) at the turn of the 21st century. Major cities in which Wu is spoken include Hangzhou, Shanghai, Suzhou,

Wu Li was a Chinese painter who was a member of the orthodox school of “literati painting” (wenrenhua) in the early Qing period. Wu became a convert to Catholicism and in 1681 went to Macao Island (on the southeast coast of China), where, without family obligations after the deaths of his mother

Chinese painting: Qin (221–206 bce) and Han (206 bce–220 ce) dynasties: …from tomb shrines of the Wu family at Jiaxiang in Shandong, dated between about 147 and 168 ce. The subjects range from the attempted assassination of the first Qin emperor to feasting and mythological themes. Although they are depicted chiefly in silhouette with little interior drawing, the effect is lively…

Yi, ethnic group of Austroasiatic origin living largely in the mountains of southwest China and speaking a Tibeto-Burman language. The Yi people numbered more than 7.5 million in the early 21st century. Their principal concentrations were in Yunnan and Sichuan provinces, with smaller numbers in

Forbidden City: …more notable landmarks are the Wu (Meridian) Gate, the Hall of Supreme Harmony (Taihedian), and the Imperial Garden (Yuhuayuan). The Wu Gate is the imposing formal southern entrance to the Forbidden City. Its auxiliary wings, which flank the entryway, are outstretched like the forepaws of a guardian lion or sphinx.…

Guandi: …constructed, each bearing the title Wu Miao (Warrior Temple) or Wu Sheng Miao (Sacred Warrior Temple). Many were built at government expense so that prescribed sacrifices could be offered on the 15th day of the second moon and on the 13th day of the fifth moon.

Wu Minxia is the most-decorated female athlete in the history of diving and became the most-decorated Chinese athlete in Olympic history at the 2016 Games in Rio de Janeiro. There she won her seventh medal overall, more than any other Chinese athlete. One of the medals Wu won was a gold medal for

Wu Mountains, mountain range on the border between Hubei province and Chongqing municipality, central China. These mountains are often referred to by Western writers as the Gorge Mountains, because the Yangtze River (Chang Jiang) cuts its way through the area from the Sichuan Basin into the central

Wu Peifu was a Chinese warlord who dominated Beijing from 1917 to 1924. The son of a tradesman, Wu joined the famous Beiyang Army of Yuan Shikai, the leading general of the Qing dynasty (1644–1911/12) and the first president of the Republic of China, and rapidly rose to high position. After Yuan’s

Wu Peifu was a Chinese warlord who dominated Beijing from 1917 to 1924. The son of a tradesman, Wu joined the famous Beiyang Army of Yuan Shikai, the leading general of the Qing dynasty (1644–1911/12) and the first president of the Republic of China, and rapidly rose to high position. After Yuan’s

Wu River system, river system the main course of which is a tributary of the Yangtze River (Chang Jiang) in south-central China. Rising near Weining in the hills of western Guizhou province close to the border with Yunnan province, the main course flows east through narrow gorges between steep

Wu Sangui was a Chinese general who invited the Manchu of Manchuria into China and helped them establish the Qing dynasty in 1644. Later, in southwestern China, he led a revolt against the Qing in an attempt to set up his own dynasty. Wu had been the Ming general in charge of defending the

Wu Sangui was a Chinese general who invited the Manchu of Manchuria into China and helped them establish the Qing dynasty in 1644. Later, in southwestern China, he led a revolt against the Qing in an attempt to set up his own dynasty. Wu had been the Ming general in charge of defending the

Wu school, group of Chinese painters of the Ming dynasty active in the second half of the 15th and first half of the 16th centuries. They were scholar-artists who, in their “literati painting” (wenrenhua), perpetuated the personally expressive styles and attitudes of former artists such as the Four

Wu Mountains, mountain range on the border between Hubei province and Chongqing municipality, central China. These mountains are often referred to by Western writers as the Gorge Mountains, because the Yangtze River (Chang Jiang) cuts its way through the area from the Sichuan Basin into the central

Guandi: …constructed, each bearing the title Wu Miao (Warrior Temple) or Wu Sheng Miao (Sacred Warrior Temple). Many were built at government expense so that prescribed sacrifices could be offered on the 15th day of the second moon and on the 13th day of the fifth moon.

Wu Daoxuan was a painter of the Chinese Tang dynasty (618–907) who was so praised by later critics that his contributions are almost buried in myth. He is recorded as having painted a wide variety of subjects, perhaps painting large wall compositions of an essentially Buddhist character more than

Wu Daoxuan was a painter of the Chinese Tang dynasty (618–907) who was so praised by later critics that his contributions are almost buried in myth. He is recorded as having painted a wide variety of subjects, perhaps painting large wall compositions of an essentially Buddhist character more than

Guizhou: History: …and suppression by the warlord Wu Tingzhang. Bitter struggles between the Miao and Wu’s armies went on until 1944.

Chinese painting: Ming dynasty (1368–1644): …dazzling among them, perhaps, was Wu Wei, from Jiangxia in Hubei, whose drunken bouts at court were forgiven out of admiration for his genius with the brush.

Confucianism: Confucian learning in Jin, Yuan, and Ming: Two other early Ming scholars, Wu Yubi (1391–1469) and Chen Xianzhang (1428–1500), helped to define Confucian education for those who studied the Classics not simply in preparation for examinations but as learning of the “body and mind.” They cleared the way for Wang Yangming (1472–1529), the most-influential Confucian thinker after…

John Woo is a Chinese film director noted for action movies that combine copious stylized violence with lyrical melodramatic depictions of male bonding. Woo was born in China, though the exact date of his birth is uncertain. In 1950 Woo and his family immigrated to Hong Kong, where they lived in a

Wuhou was the woman who rose from concubinage to become empress of China during the Tang dynasty (618–907). She ruled effectively for many years, the last 15 (690–705) in her own name. During her reign, Tang rule was consolidated, and the empire was unified. Wu Zhao entered the palace of the Tang

Wuhou was the woman who rose from concubinage to become empress of China during the Tang dynasty (618–907). She ruled effectively for many years, the last 15 (690–705) in her own name. During her reign, Tang rule was consolidated, and the empire was unified. Wu Zhao entered the palace of the Tang

Wu Zhen was one of the group of Chinese painters later known as the Four Masters of the Yuan, or Mongol, dynasty (1206–1368). His fame derives particularly from his incorruptible life as a recluse (and diviner) away from the Mongol court. Wu, like others of the group, sought stylistic inspiration

Confucianism: Confucian learning in Jin, Yuan, and Ming: Liu Yin’s contemporary Wu Zheng (1249–1333) further developed the learning of the mind. He fully acknowledged the contribution of Lu Jiuyuan to the Confucian tradition, even though as an admirer of Xu Heng he considered himself a follower of Zhu Xi. Wu assigned himself the challenging task of…

Longshan culture: …remains were first discovered by C.T. Wu. Dating from about 2600 to 2000 bce, it is characterized by fine burnished ware in wheel-turned vessels of angular outline; abundant gray pottery; rectangular polished stone axes; walls of compressed earth; and a method of divination by heating cattle bones and interpreting the…

Chien-Shiung Wu was a Chinese-born American physicist who provided the first experimental proof that the principle of parity conservation does not hold in weak subatomic interactions. Wu graduated from the National Central University in Nanjing, China, in 1934 and then traveled to the United States

Constance Wu is an American actress who first gained fame for playing a competitive young mother on the television sitcom Fresh Off the Boat (2015–20) and then became a huge celebrity for her role in the romantic comedy Crazy Rich Asians (2018). The movie was the first Hollywood production in 25

Constance Wu is an American actress who first gained fame for playing a competitive young mother on the television sitcom Fresh Off the Boat (2015–20) and then became a huge celebrity for her role in the romantic comedy Crazy Rich Asians (2018). The movie was the first Hollywood production in 25

Harry Hongda Wu was a Chinese-born American activist who is best known for his efforts to expose human rights violations in China. Wu Hongda was born to a homemaker and a banker. At age 13 he began attending an elite Jesuit school for boys in Shanghai, where he was nicknamed “Harry.” He later

Jason Wu is a Taiwanese-born fashion designer known for his sophisticated and well-crafted creations. In the early 1990s Wu’s family moved from Taiwan to Vancouver. His mother hired a fashion student there to teach her young son, who was “always sketching and drawing,” the art of pattern cutting

Harry Hongda Wu was a Chinese-born American activist who is best known for his efforts to expose human rights violations in China. Wu Hongda was born to a homemaker and a banker. At age 13 he began attending an elite Jesuit school for boys in Shanghai, where he was nicknamed “Harry.” He later

Cultural Revolution, upheaval launched by Chinese Communist Party Chairman Mao Zedong during his last decade in power (1966–76) to renew the spirit of the Chinese Revolution. Fearing that China would develop along the lines of the Soviet model and concerned about his own place in history, Mao threw

Wuchang, large urban area, east-central Hubei sheng (province), central China. It is located on the south bank of the Yangtze River (Chang Jiang) at its confluence with the Han River, opposite Hankou and Hanyang. Formerly an independent city, it was merged with those two entities in 1949 to form a

Hainan: Land: …metres) above sea level at Mount Wuzhi. Immediately to the northwest of the Wuzhi massif is the Limu Range, with several peaks above 4,600 feet (1,400 metres).

Wujing, five ancient Chinese books whose prestige is so great that in the fourfold classification of Chinese writings the jing (“classics”) are placed before shi (“history”), zi (“philosophy”), and ji (“literature”) in order of importance. For 2,000 years these five classics, all associated in some

Wuzhou, city, eastern Zhuang Autonomous Region of Guangxi, southern China. It is situated at the confluence of the Xi River with its northern tributary, the Gui River, just west of the border with Guangdong province. The city occupies a location of strategic and economic importance, dominating the

Wuhan, capital and major industrial and commercial city of Hubei sheng (province), China. It is located at the confluence of the Han and Yangtze rivers and consists of a conurbation of three adjacent former cities—Hankou (Hankow), Hanyang, and Wuchang. Hankou lies on the north bank of the Yangtze

Wuhou was the woman who rose from concubinage to become empress of China during the Tang dynasty (618–907). She ruled effectively for many years, the last 15 (690–705) in her own name. During her reign, Tang rule was consolidated, and the empire was unified. Wu Zhao entered the palace of the Tang

Wuxi, city, southern Jiangsu sheng (province), eastern China. It is situated along the Grand Canal at that waterway’s junction with local rivers near the northeastern corner of Lake Tai. The city is the principal route focus of the dense network of canals and waterways that provides the basic

Wuhu, city and river port, southeastern Anhui sheng (province), eastern China. Wuhu has long been a communication and strategic centre of some importance, being situated at the junction of the Yangtze River (Chang Jiang) with the Qingyi River to the south. The city is situated on the southeastern

Wuyi Mountains, mountain range on the border between Fujian and Jiangxi provinces, southeastern China. Originally used in reference to a cluster of peaks in northwestern Fujian, the name is now applied generally to the range along a southwest-northeast axis forming the northern and central parts of

Wugong Mountains, mountain range, chiefly in west-central Jiangxi province, southeastern China, forming a part of the frontier area between Jiangxi and Hunan provinces. The range is about 80 miles (130 km) long and crosses the provincial border along a southwest-northeast axis from Chaling in Hunan

Ürümqi, city and capital of the Uygur Autonomous Region of Xinjiang, northwestern China. The city (whose name in Uyghur means “fine pasture”) is situated in a fertile belt of oases along the northern slope of the eastern Tien (Tian) Shan range. Ürümqi commands the northern end of a gap leading from

koan: …an earlier compilation; and the Wu-men kuan (Japanese: Mumon-kan), a collection of 48 koans compiled in 1228 by the Chinese priest Hui-k’ai (known also as Wu-men). Compare zazen.

Ussuri River, northward-flowing tributary of the Amur River that for a considerable distance forms the boundary between China (Heilongjiang province) and Russia (Siberia). The Ussuri is formed by the confluence of the Sungacha (Song’acha) River, the outlet of Lake Khanka (Xingkai); and the Ulakhe

Mount Wutai, mountain in northeastern Shanxi province, northern China. It is actually a cluster of flat-topped peaks, from which it takes its name, wutai meaning “five terraces”; the highest peak is 10,033 feet (3,058 metres) above sea level. It is also the name of a mountain chain, a massif with a

Wutongqiao, former town, south-central Sichuan sheng (province), southwestern China. It is now a southern district of the city of Leshan. Wutongqiao, formerly a minor market town situated between Leshan and Yibin (southeast) on the Min River, briefly achieved status as a municipality from 1952 to

Five Dynasties, in Chinese history, period of time between the fall of the Tang dynasty (ad 907) and the founding of the Song dynasty (960), when five would-be dynasties followed one another in quick succession in North China. The era is also known as the period of the Ten Kingdoms (Shiguo) because

Wu-Tang Clan, groundbreaking American rap collective known for its sharp lyricism, old-school rap influence, and gritty production. The group’s approach to business allowed members to pursue projects of their own and opened the doors for later hardcore rappers. Many contemporary musicians cite

Wu-Tang Clan: Later work: …to record their sophomore album, Wu-Tang Forever. A few tracks featured a collection of the group’s additional collaborators, known as the Killa Beez, including Cappadonna (birth name Darryl Hill), who eventually became a full member of the group. Wu-Tang Forever was noted for its more stripped-back sound, departing from 36…

Wudi was the founder and first emperor (265–290) of the Xi (Western) Jin dynasty (265–316/317), which briefly reunited China during the turbulent period following the dissolution of the Han dynasty (206 bc–ad 220). Sima Yan was the scion of the great Sima clan to which the famous Han historian Sima

Wudi was the founder and first emperor (502–549) of the Nan (Southern) Liang dynasty (502–557), which briefly held sway over South China. A great patron of Buddhism, he helped establish that religion in the south of China. Wudi was a relative of the emperor of the Nan Qi dynasty (479–502), one of

Wudi was the autocratic Chinese emperor (141–87 bc) who vastly increased the authority of the Han dynasty (206 bc–ad 220) and extended Chinese influence abroad. He made Confucianism the state religion of China. Liu Che was probably the 11th son of the Jingdi emperor, the fifth ruler of the Han

Wuwang reign name (nianhao) of the was the founder and first ruler (1046–43 bc) of the Zhou dynasty (1046–256 bc). He was regarded by later Confucians as a wise king. Ji Fa succeeded his father, the famous Wenwang, as head of the semibarbaric state of Zhou, located on the western border of China.

wuwei, in Chinese philosophy, and particularly among the 4th- and 3rd-century-bce philosophers of early Daoism (daojia), the practice of taking no action that is not in accord with the natural course of the universe. Chinese thinkers of the Warring States period (475–221 bce) envisioned a dynamic

Wuwei, city, east-central Gansu sheng (province), northwestern China. It is situated at the eastern end of the Hexi (Gansu) Corridor (through which the Silk Road ran southeast to northwest) to the north of the provincial capital, Lanzhou. Wuwei became an important defensive area under the Han

Ten Kingdoms: …produced in the kingdom of Wu-Yue. One king of the Nan Tang was a noted poet.

China: Literature and scholarship: …costumes, ceremonies, animals, and amusements; Wubeizhi (1621; “Treatise on Military Preparedness”), on weapons, fortifications, defense organization, and war tactics; and Tiangong kaiwu (1637; “Creations of Heaven and Human Labor”), on industrial technology. Ming scholars also produced numerous valuable geographical treatises and historical studies. Among the creative milestones of Ming scholarship,…

pottery: Reigns of the Longqing and Wanli emperors (1567–1620): …verte palette) was known as “Wanli five-colour” ware (Wanli wucai). The red and green Jiajing decoration was also used, and vast quantities of blue-and-white porcelain were produced for export. The body is quite unlike that used earlier in the dynasty, being thin, hard, crisp, and resonant. It is the commonest…

Wuchang, large urban area, east-central Hubei sheng (province), central China. It is located on the south bank of the Yangtze River (Chang Jiang) at its confluence with the Han River, opposite Hankou and Hanyang. Formerly an independent city, it was merged with those two entities in 1949 to form a

Cultural Revolution, upheaval launched by Chinese Communist Party Chairman Mao Zedong during his last decade in power (1966–76) to renew the spirit of the Chinese Revolution. Fearing that China would develop along the lines of the Soviet model and concerned about his own place in history, Mao threw

filariasis: Types of filariasis: …designate Bancroftian filariasis, caused by Wuchereria bancrofti, organisms that are widely distributed in tropical and subtropical regions of the world and are transmitted to humans by mosquitoes, usually Culex quinquefasciatus (see also Culex mosquito). The nematode lives principally in the lymph nodes and lymph vessels, notably those draining

Wuchiapingian Stage, first of two stages of the Upper Permian (Lopingian) Series, encompassing all rocks deposited during the Wuchiapingian Age (259.9 million to 254.2 million years ago) of the Permian Period. In 2004 the International Commission on Stratigraphy (ICS) established the Global

Five Dynasties, in Chinese history, period of time between the fall of the Tang dynasty (ad 907) and the founding of the Song dynasty (960), when five would-be dynasties followed one another in quick succession in North China. The era is also known as the period of the Ten Kingdoms (Shiguo) because