Data & methodology

This page documents how we build and validate structured data for characters, ties, and chapters. For scholarship, always verify against your print edition and the original text.

Public statistics (snapshot)

Character records

131

Relationship edges (GraphEdge, all)

198

Chapters

120

Ch. 1 — 120

Data last updated (UTC): 2026-04-21T15:05:53.707Z

Snapshot time (UTC): 2026-04-28T22:43:05.580Z

Editions and text

Chapter text and excerpts follow publicly usable or licensed print editions of Dream of the Red Chamber (we primarily align with Cheng–Yi–line imprints and cross-check Gengchen-line scholarship). Profiles, tie types, and event chronology are editorial summaries from the text, not pasted from encyclopedia articles.

How we process characters and ties

Characters are keyed by distinguishable in-text names; aliases live in a separate table. Edges encode explicit cues from dialogue, narration, and commentary where applicable, with types such as blood, marriage, master–servant, and affection. Layouts (hierarchy / radial) are computed from edge types and configuration; coordinates may be precomputed server-side to keep the browser light.

Citation and reuse

When citing our counts or graphs, please name “hongloudata.com”, the access date, and the exact URL. For formal publication, reconcile with the edition you cite and the original wording.

Metric definitions

“Character count” is the number of Character rows for the work. “Relationship count” counts GraphEdge rows for the work (including generated reverse edges, so it may differ from a filtered subgraph in the UI). “Chapter coverage” is the min and max orderIndex in Chapter. “Snapshot time” is when this page computed the stats (UTC).

Further reading