元末明初

late Yuan and early Ming / mid 14th century

surname Yuan / the Yuan or Mongol dynasty (1279-1368)

currency unit (esp. Chinese yuan) / first / original / primary / fundamental / constituent / part / era (of a reign) / meta- (prefix) / (math.) argument / variable / (Tw) (geology) eon

final years of Yuan dynasty (1279-1368) / mid 14th century

tip / end / final stage / latter part / inessential detail / powder / dust / opera role of old man

Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) / surname Ming / Ming (c. 2000 BC), fourth of the legendary Flame Emperors, 炎帝[Yan2 di4] descended from Shennong 神農|神农[Shen2 nong2] Farmer God

bright / opposite: dark 暗[an4] / (of meaning) clear / to understand / next / public or open / wise / generic term for a sacrifice to the gods

the early Ming (i.e. from second half of 14th century)

at first / (at the) beginning / first / junior / basic