The phenomenon of monarch renaming in the West presents some significant differences compared with that of China.
First of all, in Western history, it is more common for monarchs to have their names repeated. This is mainly due to the fact that Western societies are relatively simple in terms of naming habits, and family traditions have a greater influence on the choice of names. In the West, many monarchs would choose the same name as their ancestors or other famous figures in the family as a sign of respect and continuity of tradition. In addition, the reverence of the names of saints in the Western church is also an important reason for the phenomenon of duplicate names. In contrast, the naming of monarchs in Chinese history is more complex and diverse. Chinese culture has a deep understanding of the importance of naming, so the monarch's naming is often carefully selected and considered. In Chinese tradition, the name of a monarch is often given a specific meaning to reflect his virtue, governing philosophy, or vision of the country.
Second, the phenomenon of the renaming of monarchs in the West reflects their social structure and cultural traditions to a certain extent. The feudal system in the West led to the hereditary inheritance of the royal family, and the concept of family under this system was stronger. As a result, Western monarchs are more inclined to continue family traditions when choosing names as a sign of respect and loyalty to their ancestors. In contrast, although the hereditary system in Chinese history also existed, the naming of the monarch more reflected the will of the state and the concept of the Mandate of Heaven. The Chinese tradition emphasizes the virtue and mandate of the monarch, so the monarch's name is often given a specific meaning to highlight his philosophy and mission of governing the country.
In addition, the phenomenon of the double name of monarchs in the West is also closely related to religious factors. In Western history, the influence of the church on the royal family cannot be ignored. Many Western monarchs have taken their names from biblical saints, both as a devotion to religion and as a declaration of the sanctity of kingship. In contrast, religious factors in Chinese history play a relatively small role in the naming of monarchs. Although Confucianism has had a profound influence on Chinese political culture, the naming of the monarch reflects more the concept of the Mandate of Heaven and the concept of virtue.
To sum up, the phenomenon of monarch renaming in the West presents different characteristics compared with China. This is due not only to the differences between the West and China in terms of history, culture and social structure, but also to the differences in naming traditions and concepts between the two. By comparing the phenomenon of monarch renaming in the West and China, we can better understand the similarities and differences between the two civilizations in terms of cultural traditions and values.
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