Princess Poyang – Daughter and Sister of the Last Emperors of the Jin Dynasty, Grandmother of an Empress of the Liu-Song Dynasty

Princess Poyang was the daughter of Emperor Xiaowu of the Eastern Jin Dynasty. She was also the sister of Emperor An and Emperor Gong of the Eastern Jin Dynasty. Princess Poyang was the grandmother of Empress Wang Xianyuan of the Liu-Song Dynasty. During the Liu-Song Dynasty, Princess Poyang received a grander princess title.^[1] Therefore, Princess Poyang was given respect during the establishment of the new Liu-Song Dynasty.^[2]

The birthdate of Princess Poyang is unknown.^[3] Her personal name is also unknown.^[4] She was given the title of Princess of Poyang.^[5] She was the daughter of Emperor Xiaowu of the Eastern Jin Dynasty. Her mother was one of Emperor Xiaowu’s imperial concubines who was not named.^[6] Princess Poyang had two brothers named Sima Dezong (who would later become Emperor An) and Sima Dewen (who would later become Emperor Gong). She had another sister who would become known in history as Princess Jinling. Princess Poyang also had the same title as her aunt, who married Wang Xi.^[7]

Princess Poyang eventually married Wang Yan (the great-grandson of the famous Jin Dynasty Prime Minister Wang Dao) of the Wang family of Langya.^[8] She gave birth to a son named Wang Yan.^[9] On 6 November 396 C.E., Emperor Xiaowu was murdered by his favourite imperial concubine, Imperial Honored Consort Zhang.^[10] Emperor Xiaowu was succeeded by Emperor An. Emperor An was mentally disabled and could not speak.^[11] Therefore, he needed a regent.^[12] In 405 C.E., the regent of the Eastern Jin Dynasty was Liu Yu (the Duke of Song).^[13] On 28 January 429 C.E., Duke Liu Yu installed Emperor Gong on the Eastern Jin throne.^[14] On 7 July 420 C.E., Emperor Gong abdicated.^[15] This marked the end of the Jin Dynasty.^[16] Liu Yu ascended the throne as emperor and founded the new Liu-Song Dynasty.^[17]

During Emperor Liu Yu of Liu-Song’s reign, Princess Poyang was conferred the title of Princess of Yongcheng.^[18] Her son, Wang Yan, married Emperor Liu Yu’s daughter, Princess Liu Rongnan (the Princess of Wuxing), of the Liu-Song Dynasty.^[19] Princess Liu Rongnan had a daughter named Wang Xianyuan. Wang Xianyuan would later become the empress consort to Emperor Xiaowu of the Liu-Song Dynasty.^[20] Princess Poyang died in 432 C.E..

Very few facts are known about Princess Poyang.^[21] Yet, it is clear that she was more respected than her sister, Princess Jinling.^[22] She was given a grander princess title, and her son married a princess of the Liu-Song Dynasty.^[23] She was even the grandmother of an empress. Even though her Jin Dynasty fell, Princess Poyang was able to enjoy much prestige through the establishment of the new Liu-Song Dynasty.^[24]

Sources:

iNews. (n.d.). “The Tragic Life of Sima Dewen, Emperor Gong of Jin”. Retrieved on 28 November 2024 from https://inf.news/en/history/6fcd788fe04aeaa0953af1e2df30f101.html#google_vignette.

McMahon, K. (2013). Women Shall Not Rule: Imperial Wives and Concubines in China from Han to Liao. NY: Rowman and Littlefield.

Theobald, U. (16 June2018). “Jin Andi 晉安帝 Sima Dezong 司馬德宗”. Chinaknowledge.de- An Encyclopedia on Chinese History, Literature, and Art. Retrieved on 28 November 2024 from http://www.chinaknowledge.de/History/Division/personsjinandi.html.