Empress Taimu was one of the most respected empresses of the Tang Dynasty.[1] She was the wife of the first Tang emperor, Emperor Gaozu of Tang. She did not live to see Emperor Gaozu ascend the throne. However, Empress Taimu was said to be very intelligent.[2] She helped establish relationships between the Northern Zhou Dynasty and the Northern Turks.[3]
In circa 559, Empress Taimu was born. She was descended from the imperial family.[4] Her grandfather was Emperor Yuwen Tai of the Northern Zhou Dynasty. Her father was Dou Ying (the governor of Dingzhou).[5] Her mother was Princess Xiangyang. Her maternal uncle was Emperor Yuwen Yong of the Northern Zhou Dynasty.
Lady Dou was favoured by her uncle, Emperor Yuwen Yong, because of her beauty and intellect.[6] He decided that she should be raised in the palace. Lady Dou persuaded Emperor Yuwen Yong to marry the northern Turkish princess, Ashina.[7] However, Emperor Yuwen Yong did not show any favour to Empress Ashina.[8] Lady Dou persuaded Emperor Yuwen Yong to show favouritism to Empress Ashina in order to establish a close relationship between the northern Turks and the Northern Zhou Dynasty.[9] Her intelligence earned her the admiration of Zhangsun Sheng (a prominent official during both the Northern Zhou and Sui Dynasties).[10] He would later let his daughter, Lady Zhangsun (who would eventually be known as Empress Zhangsun), marry Lady Dou’s second son, Li Shimin (the future Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty).[11]
In 581, the Northern Zhou Dynasty was abolished. Instead, the Sui Dynasty was established. The emperor was Yang Jian (also known as Emperor Wen of Sui). When Lady Dou approached marriageable age, her father, Dou Yi, wanted to find a talented husband for her.[12] He placed two peacocks behind a screen and told her suitors to shoot two arrows into the peacock’s eyes.[13] Only one man managed to do it.[14] He was Li Yuan (the Duke of Tang and the future Emperor Gaozu of the Tang Dynasty).[15] Therefore, Lady Dou married Li Yuan and became the Duchess of Tang.[16]
Duchess Dou was very close to her mother-in-law, the Dowager Duchess Dugu (who would posthumously be known as Empress Yuanzhen of the Tang Dynasty).[17] She often took great care of her (especially when she was sick) and showed Dowager Duchess Dugu much respect.[18] Duchess Dou also established a loving relationship with Duke Li Yuan.[19] She gave birth to four sons. They were Li Jiancheng (born in 589 and later made Crown Prince Yin), Li Shimin (born in 598), Li Xuanba (born in 599 and the future Prince Huai of Wei), and Li Yuanji (born in 603 and later Prince of Chao).[20] She also gave birth to a daughter named Princess Pingyang.[21]
In circa 603, Duchess Dou died. After Li Yuan was given the title of Prince of Tang, Duchess Dou was made a posthumous princess.[22] It was said that Duchess Dou often encouraged Prince Li Yuan to give his horses to his first cousin, Emperor Yang Guang of Sui.[23] However, Prince Li Yuan refused to listen to Duchess Dou.[24] He was eventually forced by Emperor Yang Guang to give up his horses.[25] Prince Li Yuan once said to his sons, “If I had listened to your mother earlier, we wouldn’t have ended up like this.”[26]
Prince Li Yuan rebelled against the Sui Dynasty. He succeeded and founded the Tang Dynasty. He became Emperor Gaozu of Tang. On 3 July 618, Emperor Gaozu made Duchess Dou the posthumous empress.[27] He gave her the posthumous name of Empress Mu.[28] On 12 December 635, Emperor Taizong gave her the posthumous name of Empress Taimu.[29]
Empress Taimu was descended from the Northern Zhou imperial family.[30] She would be a posthumous Tang empress.[31] Yet, it is clear that she had a talent for politics at an early age.[32] She encouraged her uncle to develop close ties to the northern Turks.[33] She was a devoted wife, daughter-in-law, and mother.[34] It is no wonder that she earned Emperor Gaozu’s respect and love.[35]
Sources:
iMedia. (n.d.). “List and introduction of empresses of the Tang Dynasty”. Retrieved on December 12, 2025 from https://min.news/en/history/81e9574f9d62ba4172f3b6dfa3786131.html/2.
iNews. (n.d.). “Empress Taimu: Maternal grandfather’s family, natal family, and in-laws’ family are all royal families and Li Yuan has not succeeded her”. Retrieved on December 12, 2025 from https://inf.news/en/featured/862d4fa269deda4305634c0823e115dd.html.
[1] iMedia, n.d., “List and introduction of empresses of the Tang Dynasty”
[2] iMedia, n.d., “List and introduction of empresses of the Tang Dynasty”
[3] iNews, n.d., “Empress Taimu: Maternal grandfather’s family, natal family, and in-laws’ family are all royal families and Li Yuan has not succeeded her”
[4] iNews, n.d., “Empress Taimu: Maternal grandfather’s family, natal family, and in-laws’ family are all royal families and Li Yuan has not succeeded her”
[5] iMedia, n.d., “List and introduction of empresses of the Tang Dynasty”
[6] iMedia, n.d., “List and introduction of empresses of the Tang Dynasty”
[7] iNews, n.d., “Empress Taimu: Maternal grandfather’s family, natal family, and in-laws’ family are all royal families and Li Yuan has not succeeded her”
[8] iNews, n.d., “Empress Taimu: Maternal grandfather’s family, natal family, and in-laws’ family are all royal families and Li Yuan has not succeeded her”
[9] iNews, n.d., “Empress Taimu: Maternal grandfather’s family, natal family, and in-laws’ family are all royal families and Li Yuan has not succeeded her”
[10] iMedia, n.d., “List and introduction of empresses of the Tang Dynasty”
[11] iMedia, n.d., “List and introduction of empresses of the Tang Dynasty”
[12] iMedia, n.d., “List and introduction of empresses of the Tang Dynasty”
[13] iMedia, n.d., “List and introduction of empresses of the Tang Dynasty”
[14] iMedia, n.d., “List and introduction of empresses of the Tang Dynasty”
[15] iMedia, n.d., “List and introduction of empresses of the Tang Dynasty”
[16] iMedia, n.d., “List and introduction of empresses of the Tang Dynasty”
[17] iNews, n.d., “Empress Taimu: Maternal grandfather’s family, natal family, and in-laws’ family are all royal families and Li Yuan has not succeeded her”
[18] iNews, n.d., “Empress Taimu: Maternal grandfather’s family, natal family, and in-laws’ family are all royal families and Li Yuan has not succeeded her”
[19] iNews, n.d., “Empress Taimu: Maternal grandfather’s family, natal family, and in-laws’ family are all royal families and Li Yuan has not succeeded her”
[20] iNews, n.d., “Empress Taimu: Maternal grandfather’s family, natal family, and in-laws’ family are all royal families and Li Yuan has not succeeded her”
[21] iMedia, n.d., “List and introduction of empresses of the Tang Dynasty”
[22] iMedia, n.d., “List and introduction of empresses of the Tang Dynasty”
[23] iMedia, n.d., “List and introduction of empresses of the Tang Dynasty”
[24] iMedia, n.d., “List and introduction of empresses of the Tang Dynasty”
[25] iMedia, n.d., “List and introduction of empresses of the Tang Dynasty”
[26] iMedia, n.d., “List and introduction of empresses of the Tang Dynasty”, para. 4
[27] iNews, n.d., “Empress Taimu: Maternal grandfather’s family, natal family, and in-laws’ family are all royal families and Li Yuan has not succeeded her”
[28] iNews, n.d., “Empress Taimu: Maternal grandfather’s family, natal family, and in-laws’ family are all royal families and Li Yuan has not succeeded her”
[29] iNews, n.d., “Empress Taimu: Maternal grandfather’s family, natal family, and in-laws’ family are all royal families and Li Yuan has not succeeded her”
[30] iNews, n.d., “Empress Taimu: Maternal grandfather’s family, natal family, and in-laws’ family are all royal families and Li Yuan has not succeeded her”
[31] iNews, n.d., “Empress Taimu: Maternal grandfather’s family, natal family, and in-laws’ family are all royal families and Li Yuan has not succeeded her”
[32] iNews, n.d., “Empress Taimu: Maternal grandfather’s family, natal family, and in-laws’ family are all royal families and Li Yuan has not succeeded her”
[33] iNews, n.d., “Empress Taimu: Maternal grandfather’s family, natal family, and in-laws’ family are all royal families and Li Yuan has not succeeded her”
[34] iNews, n.d., “Empress Taimu: Maternal grandfather’s family, natal family, and in-laws’ family are all royal families and Li Yuan has not succeeded her”
[35] iNews, n.d., “Empress Taimu: Maternal grandfather’s family, natal family, and in-laws’ family are all royal families and Li Yuan has not succeeded her”
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