Shennong (Vietnamese: Than Nong); also known as the Emperor of the Five Grains (Wugu xiand?; was a ruler of China and cultural hero who lived some 5;000 years ago and who taught the ancient Chinese the practice of agriculture. Appropriately; his name means ' Divine Farmer'. He is also believed to have discovered tea.

The Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors (Sanhuang wudi; Wade-Giles: San-huang wu-ti) are a blend of mythological rulers and cultural heroes from ancient China dating loosely from the period from c.3500-2000 BCE. This represents the earliest period of recorded Chinese history and is regarded as largely mythological. In chronological terms it precedes the Xia Dynasty (c.2070-1600 BCE).

There are several variations as to who constitute the various Three Sovereigns and Seven Emperors. According to the Diwang Xishi or Record of Imperial Lineages; also called the 'Sovereign Series' in English; the Three Sovereigns were; in chronological sequence: Fuxi; Shennong and Huangdi. The same source lists the Five Emperors; again chronologically; as: Shaohao; Zhuanxu; Gaoxin; Yao and Shun.