Chinese Concubines who became Empresses

For thousands of years, Emperors of China had harems of dozens or even hundreds of wives. Emperors had the right to select concubines from among the teenage daughters of the nobility or the peasantry. During the Ming dynasty 5,000 beautiful woman were brought from around the country and lined up in front of the palace. They were narrowed down to just a handful who were admitted into the palace and had a chance of spending a night with the emperor. Inside the forbidden city, imperial wives had an intricate system of hierarchy. At the top was the Empress. She was usually chosen for her nobility and political connections. When the emperor died, she could claim the title Empress Dowager, and continue her influence through her son. Below her were consorts, then concubines and maids. The emperor alone had access to all of them, and they were closely guarded by eunuchs. If the Emperor favored a particular concubine for her beauty, brains, or for baring him a son, he had the right to promote her, even to the rank of Empress. Today lets met 7 imperial concubines who, through allure, sex appeal, child-birth, and or ruthlessness, managed to climb their way to power in Imperial China.
Empress Deng Sui
Empress Liang Na
Empress Dowager Hu
Empress Wu Zetian
Empress Liu
Empress Gi
Empress Dowager Cixi

I make mini documentaries about women's history and royal history:

Sources:

Music: Lau Tzu Ehru by Doug Maxwell

[irawilliams]

Empress Wu Zetian is a very controversial figure because of her rise to power. The way Chinese history has portrayed her as a evil, viscious, cunning and power hungry woman is because of the toxic patriarchy of society. But take note that it wasn't easy surviving in the imperial harem. She broke glass ceilings and proved to the world that women can rule the same with Elizabeth I, Jadwicka of Poland, Maria Theresa of Austria and Catherine the Great.

[ayefuh]

as an asian viewer i really appreciate when you showcase our history! thank you for another delectable video lindsay!

[anubratabit]

Most of the chronicles about Wu Zetian were composed during the Song dynasty, which came a century after the Wu Zetian. Unlike the early Tang emperors like Wu who promoted Buddhism, the late Tang emperors actively purged Buddhists out of the country for economic & xenophobic reasons. The Song emperors patronized Confucianism, whose scholars didn't approve of Buddhism & women wielding power. So the Song-era Confucianist chroniclers account of the Buddhist Wu is expected to be filled with bias & negativity.

[danielsantiagourtado]

Wu Zetian was a one hell of a woman to do what she did! She knew what she wanted ans got it! 👸👸👸👸👸👸

[PerfectlyImperfect]

I love hearing about Wu Zetian! She sounds so complex and interesting. Thank You Lindsay!🩷

[doreensika]

Empress Liang Na was born 116 not 106. Great video as always. As someone that is obsessed with the Chinese and Korean History I am so glad you did this video although all know all these empresses it’s good it be reminded of their stories again. Was hoping you also talk about Empress Zhao better known to history as Zhao Feiyan, her story is very fascinating.

[christinethomas]

Yessss! As a proud Korean woman, I love any mention of Korean history, it's FASCINATING and nowhere near enough people know about it.

[Q-ALI-Q]

Great video!Wu Zetian' s life is sooo interesting, she basically did what nobody did before AND after her!The only female Emperor of China that ruled legitimately, not as an empress dowager!Xiran Jay Zhao on youtube has an awesome 2-part video for her for anyone interested to learn more!

[danielsantiagourtado]

You manage to pack SO much information into short videos. It’s incredible! Keep doing what you do Lindsay! You're the best at it

[jencookie]

as a chinese woman, i love the feminist tone of your channel & the ASIAN REPRESENTATION!! thanks for showcasing diverse cultures lindsay!

[Moss_girl]

Getting rocked by a gang of eunuchs is such a baller move i’m ngl

[ladylunaginaofgames]

Brother: Appoint the 7 year old, we can control him

7 year old: I may be young, but I see through your lies. Dispose of him!

Brother: *Surprised Pikachu face*

[TikiandPeanutsWorld]

At 17:05, I was under the impression that Wu Zetian's monument was intentionally left blank, as per her request, in order for her people to leave their own comments on it about her/her life, not to erase her from history.

[crazieanimefan]

After watching the Chinese drama Ruyi's Royal Love at the Palace, I wouldn't mind a dive into the Nara clan or the concubines and consorts of the Qing Dynasty. It seemed so full of drama to be part of those women that wanted the emperor's love.

[lfgifu]

Also, yesterday was a somber day, sending love to all who lost someone on that terrible day❤️

[watcherfortruth]

YESSS CHINESE EMPRESSES ARE FINALLY HERE!

Thank you for the informative and great video Lindsay! You never fail to impress ❤❤🎉🎉

[itsirkeel]

Thanks for turning your insight and research to a part of the world and time periods I am truly woefully ignorant of. I'm so grateful you put these together for us! Also- around minutes 14-17 with the Empress and her legacy of a blank plinth makes me think of the Egyptians and their female ruler. So much fear.

[jamesjoynz]

There is nothing more relaxing than listening to the wondrous and education voice of Miss Lindsay while eating subway. 😊

[conho]

This is amazing! Honestly for China, you can also do a video on women who became powerful regents. A lot of Chinese empress regents were so powerful they were called crownless regnants! One example is Empress Lu, who was the originator of the punishment of cutting off limps and drowned in wine, which Wu Zetian learned later.

[khaireese]

Empress Cixi was very impressive! She is such a powerful female figure! The way she led her country was amazing, I can’t believe she was almost imprisoned for giving advice on a war that she ended years later! She kind of reminds me of Akemi from Blye Eyed Samurai (two different countries, I know). I think I liked her story the most.