China Archives - History of Royal Women

Imperial Consort Lu Meiniang – The Imperial Consort who was revered as a goddess

Saturday, 24 October 2026, 6:00 Lauralee Swann 0

Imperial Consort Lu Meiniang was an imperial consort to both Emperor Shunzong and Emperor Xianzong of the Tang Dynasty.[1] She was most well-known for her remarkable textile skills.[2] Imperial Consort Lu Meiniang was given the name of the Divine Maiden.[3] She was later allowed to leave the imperial harem to become a Daoist nun.[4] In 792, Imperial [read more]

Imperial Consort Dou Guiniang – The Imperial Consort who helped restore Chu under the Tang Empire

Thursday, 22 October 2026, 6:00 Lauralee Swann 1

Imperial Consort Dou Guiniang was an imperial consort to Li Xilie, who rebelled against the Tang Dynasty.[1] Li Xilie initially proclaimed himself a minor king.[2] He later proclaimed himself Emperor of the state of Chu.[3] Imperial Consort Dou Guiniang helped restore the state of Chu under Tang Dynasty rule.[4] The birth date of Imperial Consort Dou [read more]

Chen Shuozhen – The peasant who proclaimed herself Emperor

Wednesday, 21 October 2026, 6:00 Lauralee Swann 0

Before Wu Zetian ascended the throne of China, there was another woman who proclaimed herself emperor in China.[1] Her name was Chen Shuozhen. She was a peasant woman who rebelled during the early years of Emperor Gaozong of the Tang Dynasty’s reign in 653.[2] She declared herself Emperor Wenjia (which meant the “Civil and Excellent Emperor”[3]). [read more]

Princess Fayuan – The Princess who was revered as a Gotami

Monday, 19 October 2026, 6:00 Lauralee Swann 0

Princess Fayuan was a princess of the fallen Western Liang Dynasty.[1] She was also the great-niece and niece of Sui Dynasty emperors.[2] She was the cousin of the Tang Dynasty emperors.[3] Princess Fayuan is most famous for being a devout Buddhist nun.[4] She gained many disciples. She was also known for her poetry.[5] In 601, Princess Fayuan [read more]

Empress Zhaode – The Empress who was invested on her deathbed

Monday, 28 September 2026, 6:00 Lauralee Swann 0

Empress Zhaode was the empress consort of Emperor Dezong of the Tang Dynasty. She was invested on her deathbed.[1] She died three days after her investiture as empress.[2] Therefore, she did not get to enjoy the privileges of being an empress.[3] Empress Zhaode was also the mother of Emperor Shunzong of the Tang Dynasty. The birthdate of Empress [read more]

Imperial Consort Dong – The famous dancer who became Emperor Dezong of the Tang Dynasty’s Imperial Consort

Saturday, 26 September 2026, 6:00 Lauralee Swann 0

Imperial Consort Dong was one of the most famous dancers of the Tang Dynasty.[1] She may have danced for three Tang emperors.[2] Because of her talent, Imperial Consort Dong became an imperial consort for Emperor Dezong.[3] She was given the highest posthumous title for a female member of the imperial family.[4] In 772, Imperial Consort Dong was born. [read more]