In China, the feudal period, the company was proof of male chauvinism, so that there was a widespread belief: humans are superior to women. Thus, this belief became the dominant ideology throughout the feudal society. The women were worth little more than servants forced in ancient China.
At that time, male dominance was ensured and maintained by certain standards. The three cardinal principles (the leader is the master of the subject, the father is the master's son and the husband is the master of women) and the five constant virtues (benevolence, righteousness, propriety, wisdom and sincerity) encadraient driving society, and the three obedience (in ancient China, a woman must obey her father before marriage, her husband during her marriage and her son during her widowhood), as well as the four virtues (loyalty, charm physics , speech and appropriate skill in needlework of women) guided the family.
In feudal China, women had no say about their future spouses, and are expected to comply unconditionally with the arrangements of their parents or their brothers. The women had no right to divorce or remarry. A woman live longer than her husband or not, it had the right to marry only once during his life. On the other hand, a husband was entitled to abandon his wife legally if she had committed one of its seven "sins": infidelity, infertility, debauchery, jealousy, if she had contracted a shameful disease, had stolen or had interfered with the affairs of others. With such a low social status and family, women could not even hope to occupy a place in politics or économique.Cependant, over two millennia, long and obscure, history of feudal China, there were a brief respite, a glimmer for oppressed women of ancient China from 618 to 765, during the heyday of the Tang dynasty. Experts agree on the fact that compared to most of the ancient Chinese times, those who lived in the Tang were blessed to live in happy times.
The luckiest of the Tang dynasty
Under the Tang dynasty, women have been fortunate to live in a period characterized by openness and liberalism.
After accession to the throne of Emperor Taizong (Li Shimin), politics, economy, culture, domestic and international relations enjoyed great development. National cohesion, and spiritual civilization and material foreign, exerted a great influence on the Tang dynasty, much faster progress. Li Shimin and other skilled emperors adopted a set of guiding principles and policies that enriched the country and enjoyed the people, which laid a solid foundation for the future prosperity of the Tang dynasty, as embodied by the "peace Zhenguan of "and the" splendor of Kaiyuan ".
At the height of the dynasty, the advanced productivity and strong economic base is reflected in the fields of philosophy, politics, culture, art, social ethics and, more particularly, in social position of women.
Shortly after the establishment of the Tang dynasty, the imperial court decreed in favor of an allowance and a land tax system in order to develop agricultural production, which in those days, took a leading role in the national economy . Under the new system, the government allocated land to both male head of household as a widow, it is entitled to more land if it were dependent. Having their own land, women could benefit from greater economic independence.
Under the Code of Tang, a couple who wanted a divorce on the basis of mutual consent and good agreement was not punished. This measure meant that the law protected the right to divorce people through consultation. The historical records show that it was not uncommon for women to divorce or to remarry at the time. Contrary to the predominant trend at the time other feudal dynasties, a widow was not considered "unclean" if she remarried. In a divorce agreement concluded during the Tang dynasty, we read: "Since we can not live together in harmony is better to separate us. I hope that after the divorce, niangzi (a kind of name of someone's wife) may be as young and as beautiful as before, and I hope she finds a husband who suits him better. I hope that divorce does not sow hatred between us for the future. "This agreement reflects not only divorce women's equality within marriage but also the general openness of the people at the time of Tang.Les women of the imperial family were not subject to marital restrictions or constraints. The reign of Emperor Gaozong than Emperor Suzong or in the early to middle of the Tang dynasty, there were 98 princesses, 61 were married, 24 who have remarried, and four who were married to three times. This trend has shaken the foundation of traditional feudal morality.
During the Tang, it was common for Han marry persons of foreign or ethnic minority, and there was a law that protects marriage. According to historical records: "Many of the Tartars (called Hu in Chinese and corresponding to people other than Han nationality) who have long lived in Chang'an were han married women and had children. Tartars married Han and now, many young people of Chang'an are derived from a mixed marriage. "Some of the imperial family have married people of other nationalities. Seven of the 19 daughters of the emperor Gaozu have married a man of another nationality, and eight of the 21 daughters of the Emperor Taizong married a foreigner. During the fifteenth year (641) of the "Peace Zhenguan" Princess Wencheng married the king of the Tubo. She has made many technical advances in production Tubo, thus contributing greatly to the friendship and cultural exchanges between the Han and Tang dynasty Tibétains.La has attached great importance to education and women in the Tang had the same rights and equal opportunities for education than men. This beautiful Dynasty is probably the most celebrated for its abundance of great poets. The Complete Poems of Tang contain more than 50 000 poems by more than 2 000 poets, which were 20 prominent personalities in the history of Chinese literature. There were also famous poets, including Shangguan Wan'er is the most representative. His poems have a style that is personal style that inspired Shangguan-Li Bai, the most famous poet of ancient Chinese poets. During the Tang, writing poetry was not only a privilege reserved for women of the nobility but was also practiced by the women of the Tang commun.Sous, women also had the opportunity to learn the history, policy and a military learning. At the foundation of this dynasty, Princess Pingyang personally participated in battles, leading a detachment of women to help his father, Emperor Gaozu. The Princess Taiping, daughter of Emperor Gaozong, crushed riots two occasions in the court in critical times.
As women in the Tang has enjoyed a relatively calm social environment and an independent social life, the conduct of those who were well educated was significantly different from that of women in other dynasties. They were allowed to drink wine at their discretion and singing loudly in the taverns, to ride at a gallop in the vicinity, or even to compete with men on the polo fields. During the Tang, the women had social activities and conducting business independently. They were distinguished even in the political sphere, the most notable being the princess Zhangsun, the most virtuous empress of China.
Empress Virtuous
The Empress Zhangsun was the wife of Emperor Taizong (Li Shimin). It belonged to the old ethnic Xianbei. Zhangsun grew up in the Central Plains and has received very good education, she mastered particularly well literature and history. At the time of the rivalry for the throne between Li Shimin and his brothers, Zhangsun has repeatedly exonerated Li Shimin, Emperor from Gaozu, harm which he was falsely accused. During the Xuanwumen Mutiny (in which the son of the emperor Gaozu fought for the throne), Zhangsun came in person to raise the morale of the army, helping Li Shimin to get rid for good its enemies politiques.Après be crowned empress, Zhangsun continued to lead a frugal life and objected to what his parents obtinssent securities official using his influence. She often advised to Li Shimin to solicit suggestions and opinion of counsel of the court. Wei Zheng, prime minister during the reign of Emperor Taizong, has often shown very daring when warning the emperor. Sometimes the emperor was so angry he threatened to decapitate Wei Zheng without further ado, but each time the Empress Zhangsun threw the water on the fire and protecting the prime minister loyal.
As mistress of the imperial harem, Empress Zhangsun was a lot of attention to the other concubines of the emperor, treating them like his own children. If it meant that one of the concubines was sick, it was treating its own drugs. All concubines deep respect Zhangsun Empress, and all lived in harmony, leaving plenty of time to the emperor to deal with affairs of state.
In the tenth year (636) of the "Peace Zhenguan, the disease took the Empress Zhangsun at the age of 36 years. Before she died, she had expressed a wish, to be buried simply, and had asked the Emperor Taizong of paying attention to honest advice and be good for the common people. Emperor Taizong deeply regrets the death of Zhangsun, and he constructed within the imperial palace, a high platform from which he could see the Zhao Mausoleum where his beloved empress rested for eternity .
The Empress Wu Zetian
The most famous woman of the Tang dynasty is unquestionably Wu Zetian. There were 243 emperors during the 2 000 years elapsing from the Qin Dynasty (221 BC). At the end of the Qing Dynasty (1911), and Wu Zetian was the only empress. Wu Zetian personality is the most legendary and most controversial of Chinese history. She lived to 82 years, and reigned for 50 years. Wu Zetian was born into a family of official Wenshui, Shanxi Province. It was not only beautiful but also very intelligent. In addition to its strong attraction for women and grace Wu Zetian was determined and committed in everything she undertook. She entered the palace at the age of 14 years and was assigned to the service of Emperor Taizong gave him the name of Mei, which means beautiful and charming, in recognition of its beauty. However, she did not like that name. After his accession to power, it changed its name to Zhao (which means light of the sun and the moon that illuminates every corner of the earth). Wu Zetian woman was adamant. One day there was a wayward wild horse in the stables of the palace and no one can control it. Wu Zetian said that the way to overcome was the first fight with a whip of iron, and that if this were not enough, to tuer.Wu Zetian was first awarded cairen (concubine ranking), but was unable to win the favor of Emperor Taizong. She acted as his secretary for 12 years, but had no promotion and was unable to give birth to her child. However, Li Zhi, the son of Taizong, was deeply obsessed by it. After the death of Taizong, Li Zhi was crowned emperor and Wu Zetian became Empress. The emperor and empress have jointly ruled the country. As Li Zhi was a frail, in fact, it was Wu Zetian who was the real leader of the country. On the death of Li Zhi, Wu Zetian has stabilized the political situation, based on its rich experience of political intrigues. In 690, Wu Zetian is mounted on the throne and changed the name of the dynasty in that of Zhou. It rejected all his political enemies and established the family court as Empress Wu, it was diligent, insightful and caring. During his reign, the country has maintained its prosperity and the people lived in peace. The tribes who lived at the time of the Zhou dynasty were all newly established dedicated allegiance to the empress. As it had been the secretary of the Emperor Taizong for twelve years, Wu Zetian was very familiar with the priorities of the ex-emperor in the management of State affairs, and she respected greatly, include, among others, its emphasis on agriculture, reduction of taxes and duties malleable, the practice of a peaceful foreign policy and demand for advice and suggestions in a wide range of people.
The Empress was very careful to select talented people and placing them in key positions. She also encouraged and supported women's participation in political life. Shangguan Wan'er is the perfect example. The grandfather and father of the latter had been killed for opposing the accession to power of Wu Zetian, and the young Wan'er and her mother were employed as servants to the palace where Wan'er are received very good education. It not only wrote beautiful poetry, but also gained an intimate knowledge of the affairs of state. Wu Zetian valued skill and has appointed his personal assistance. Shangguan Wan'er has proven its value to the empress, not only by his ability to participate in making decisions the chronicles of the throne, but also by developing imperial edicts for the empress. Shangguan even one day to act as examiner-in-Chief of official imperial examinations. After the death of Wu Zetian, Shangguan Wan'er remained at the court to help the emperor to govern Zhongzong the pays.Wu Zetian was very tolerant in relation to views different from his subordinates. Yougong Xu was the official in charge of judicial affairs, but he often expressed his dissatisfaction to the Empress over some verdicts of the court. On one occasion, Wu Zetian was so angry that she issued an order to decapitate Xu, but when the execution would take place, it gracia, degrading the person to the rank of the people. When his anger was calmed, Wu continued to seek the opinion of Xu, and she gave back the position of chief justice. In short, Wu Zetian empress was a personable and power that has made outstanding achievements.
Merits or not, history is the sole judge
To maintain social stability, just before his death, Wu Zetian decided to hand state power to the Tang dynasty. However, the turmoil that caused his conduct have never calmed down. Even today, opinions persist about his conduct and personality. That the epithet "the empress iron hand" is seen as a compliment or an insult, no one can deny the story she wrote. During the reign of Wu Zetian, the achievements of his predecessors have been continued and further developed, leading the Tang Dynasty at the height of the splendor of Kaiyuan. During the hundred-year prosperity of Tang, we can say that Wu Zetian deserves to be awarded the credit of fifty. This is the Tang dynasty that gave birth to Wu Zetian, and this indomitable woman gave back by dedicating his life and energies to his peuple.Wu Zetian gave orders that at his death, a tablet is erected in front of the tomb where the emperor Gaozong and rest, but that remains empty shelf. According to Wu Zetian, achievements and failures of his life would be subject only to the evaluation of history. As a means, it has enjoyed the status of the emperor and the support of the people, but as a woman, she has sacrificed almost everything: parents, friends, love, and at the end his own life. How few words inscribed on a tablet would have been able to truly reflect the joys and vicissitudes of his life and the fickleness of the world she had lived?
Besides being an outstanding politician, Wu Zetian was also a great poet and a great calligrapher. She was so versatile that his death filled his subjects of profound grief.
Yang Yuhuan was another unforgettable women of the Tang dynasty. She was extremely beautiful and excelled in dance and music. Yang Yuhuan was very loving Emperor Xuanzong, and the two were inseparable. However, this has aroused the strong disapproval of the subjects of the emperor, and at the end, as the couple fled the rebel army, Yang Yuhuan was forced to hang herself.
Unlike Wu Zetian, Yang Yuhuan was never mixed with politics, although it had been the concubine of the highest rank. What these two women have done or not the policy of the time, they were heavily discriminated against on the basis of their gender. Although Wu and Yang Yuhuan Zetian have lived every second during the Tang dynasty, so open-minded, they could not completely shake the foundations of prejudice and intolerance of feudal morality against them, particularly in political struggles.
In retrospect, the so-called lucky women in the Tang dynasty may not have been lucky enough to arouse the envy of women today, but in the Tang, women's contribution to the advancement Historical progress is undeniable and worthy of admiration.
rin. Another Code was to set color button on the top hats. Each button indicated the social position of the person (9 different buttons for different ranks 9). Ming official headdresses could vary.
