Julian Pei
APWH P. 4
Importance of Individuals
Empress Wu Zetian
武则天
(February 17, 625 - December 16, 705)
Only ever woman “Emperor” of China: 690-705 CE
One of the most remarkable women in
the history of China was Empress Wu Zetian.
In fact, she was only female monarch ever to
claim the title of Emperor in China’s vast
history. It was through a combination of luck,
shrewd political maneuvering, and ruthlessness
that helped her ascend to such power. Her story
begins in Tang China, one of the highest and
richest points in Chinese history.
Wu Zetian was born in a time of China
when women were relatively free and did not
lead completely subordinate lives. The Tang
Dynasty actually had a few extraordinary
women contributing to society. Wu herself
(whose given name was Wu Mei 武媚 but this
is conflicted) was born into a rich family, so
these circumstances allowed her to study
Chinese literature and play music. By the time
she had reached the age of thirteen, she had
acquired a reputation of wit, intelligence, and
beauty. This caught the attention of the Source:
Emperor Tai Zong and she was recruited into http://www.indiana.edu/~ealc100/Group6/E
the Emperor’s court as a concubine of the fifth mpress%20Wu%20Website.htm
rank. Officially, this rank was referred to as the
“Talented” or cairen (才人). When Wu was summoned to the palace as a concubine, her mother
Lady Yang wept bitterly. Wu responded, "How do you know that it is not my fortune to meet the
Son of Heaven? Why are you crying like a young child?" From this point, her mother understood
her ambition, and stopped crying.
The fortune of being selected to the Emperor’s court was certainly a turning point in
Wu’s life. She was not the Emperor’s favorite but she did attract his attention with her courage:
“Emperor Taizong had a horse with the name "Lion Stallion," and it was so
large and strong that no one could get on its back. I was a lady in waiting
attending Emperor Taizong, and I suggested to him, "I only need three things to
subordinate it: an iron whip, an iron hammer, and a sharp dagger. I will whip it
with the iron whip. If it does not submit, I will hammer its head with the iron
hammer. If it still does not submit, I will cut its throat with the dagger." Emperor
Taizong praised my bravery. Do you really believe that you are qualified to dirty
my dagger?”
Zizhi Tongjian, vol. 206 (資治通鑑/卷 206)
Julian Pei
APWH P. 4
Importance of Individuals
Another stroke of luck was needed to propel Consort Wu (concubines are usually referred
to as “Consorts”) higher. Her rank was still relatively low on the list of concubines and she did
not bear Emperor Tai Zong a child. This would mean that she, along with all the other
concubines who did not bear the Emperor children would become Buddhist nuns after the
Emperor died. The story is unclear about whether Consort Wu actually became a nun after the
death of Tai Zong in 649, but the facts were that Tai Zong’s prince Li Zhi had noticed Wu before
Tai Zong died. Li Zhi became Emperor Gao Zong and still admired her beauty. Eventually, Wu
became the new Emperor’s concubine of the second rank.
As the Emperor’s concubine, Wu bore him two sons. Soon, Empress Wang and Consort
Xiao (the top concubine when Wu became a concubine) fell out of the Emperor’s favor. Again, a
fuzzy incident allowed Wu to rise to become Emperor Gao Zong’s Empress. Wu bore a daughter
in 654 who died soon after birth. Wu allegedly killed her daughter to frame Empress Wang and
dispose of her. Perhaps this incident is not the genuine truth, but this gave the Emperor an excuse
to dispose of Empress Wang. In addition, Empress Wang did not bear any sons for the Emperor,
which was another reason for the Emperor to dispose of her. Soon, Consort Wu found herself as
Gao Zong’s Empress, the highest ranking woman in China.
As Empress, Wu had much influence on the Emperor. When he died (he had been sick
and historians suspect a slow poisoning), the eldest of Empress Wu’s sons took the throne.
Empress Wu retained power as empress dowager and reagent over her son. At this point, Wu
Zetian was already the essential ruler of China. She resided behind a curtain during imperial
meetings and effectively controlled her sons like puppets. When her first puppet son began to
resist her authority, she ordered the exile of that son. Through many exhaustive events, Wu was
finally asked to take the throne officially as “Emperor” in 690.
Empress Wu’s rise to power was extremely uncharacteristic for women of that time
period. Her story is riddled with controversy. However, the spread of world religions such as
Islam, Christianity, and Buddhism already made significant advances for women worldwide. The
fact that these major religions insisted the spiritual equality of the man and woman was already a
huge improvement in attitudes toward women. This was a major theme in the Postclassical
Period. A change in attitude was the first step and even though social conditions for women
continued to decrease overall in the world, perhaps the route for women’s recovery back to equal
with men started in the Postclassical Period. Not coincidentally, Empress Wu’s miraculous reign
was associated with a major world religion. One of her biggest achievements was her advocacy
of Buddhism. Buddhism was elevated at least to the level of Daoism in China during her time.
This was a huge advancement for Buddhism in Tang China and evidence of this was tangible:
more monasteries appeared, huge statues of Buddha were carved, and many more Buddhist
pagodas were built. Empress Wu can certainly symbolize rising power of women in leadership
coupled with the spread of world religions. Yet, she also contradicts the decreasing trend
worldwide in the overall state of women during the Postclassical Period (as a result of the
increase of trade). At least, this decrease was compensated with spiritual comfort from increased
religious equality. Unfortunately, the condition of women is still not equal to men today although
it is improving everyday.
Julian Pei
APWH P. 4
Importance of Individuals
Sources:
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http://www.womeninworldhistory.com/heroine6.html
http://www.travelchinaguide.com/intro/history/tang/emperor_wuzetian.htm
http://www.chinaculture.org/gb/en_aboutchina/2003-09/24/content_22879.htm
http://www.indiana.edu/~ealc100/Group6/Empress%20Wu%20Website.htm