Five Dynasties (of China, 907-979)
Historical term referring to the period of five successive short-lived dynasties in China between the Tang and Song dynasties. Often used in the compound 五代十国 (Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms).
See also: 五代十国 (ごだいじっこく) · 後梁 (こうりょう) · 後唐 (こうとう) · 後晋 (こうしん) · 後漢 (ごかん) · 後周 (こうしゅう)
The Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period is one of the most chaotic eras in Chinese history.
The last dynasty of the Five Dynasties was the Later Zhou.
five generations of earthly deities
From 五 (five) + 代 (dynasty, era). The term is a direct translation of the Chinese historical concept.