Throughout the Qin and Han Dynasties, the Yao accounted for a fraction of the Changsha Wulingmang tribe located at the lower reaches of the Chang Jiang.
　　 As time passed, the Yao became a more distinct group since they preferred to live in remote, tropical locations at high altitudes (1000-2000m). If studied carefully, one can see that their clothing and adornments distinguish one category of Yao people from another. Because of these wardrobe distinctions, the Yao were categorized as the "Pan Yao, Chashan Yao, Shanzhi Yao, Keng Yao, and Hualan Yao" etc., according to their location.

Today there are almost 2,000,000 Yao minority people thriving in the bordering areas of the Guangxi, Hunan, Yunnan, Guizhou, and Guangdong provinces.
　　After the birth of New China in 1949 the Yao were no longer recognized as distinct sub-groups. Instead the "Pan Yao, Changsha Yao, Shanzhi Yao, Keng Yao, and Hualan Yao" etc. were recognized as the Yao people. The Yao do not have a written language, however they are multi-lingual. Throughout history the Yao have relied on their ability to speak Han, Zhuang, and Miao dialects for commerce purposes.

　　Chinese legends about the Yao depict them as a favored group of people. These notions originate from a legend that tells us that the original two Yao Ancestors were a man named "P'an Hu" ("Dragon Dog") and the daughter of a Chinese emperor. According to legend, the emperor was trying to rid himself of a notorious general, his archenemy. The emperor offered to wed his daughter to the warrior who could succeed in destroying the general.

　　P'an Hu emerged victorious, conquering the general, and then married the emperor's daughter. After this, the legend tells us that P'an Hu and his new wife settled in the mountains where they had 12 children, who later became the heads of 12 Yao clans. The emperor was also said to have made an imperial edict declaring P'an Hu a king. The edict also included provisions that granted he and his progeny exemption from military service and taxes. It also gave them the liberty to travel freely and cultivate their mountain land.

　　The name 'Yao' is derived from a Chinese expression that means "not subject to service." The Yao people refer to themselves as "Mien." Having lived in such remote locations for such a long time, the Yao have a unique culture characterized by their simple ways of life (i.e. hunting, fishing, and farming). Their garments, folklore, harmonious chants, magnificent dances and ancient wedding traditions have also remained well preserved. However, historians believe that it is likely that the Yao people were introduced to the Taoist religion at "Mei Shan" ( Plum mountain, a sacred Taoist site in western portion of the Yunan province) where there was an early Yao settlement. Some of their religious practices have been derived from aspects of Taoism but remain largely unique compared with other known religions.

　　The Yao people and their handicrafts offer a great deal of insight into the history of China. While they were an oppressed people, they managed to distance themselves from the harsh rule of late emperors, thus creating a cultural empire of their own. Each article created by the Yao describes a portion of their heritage. Furthermore, each article offers a unique look at their environment from their perspective and with their motivations clearly depicted.
　　 The citizens of China are very familiar with the legends of the Yao minority people-group.