China, during its ancient time, was rich in heritage and in might. While many emperors were praised for their strategies, philosophies and innovations, others were seen as weak in power and influence. Alongside these emperors are the empresses and empress dowagers who, sadly, are often neglected by historians. During Imperial China, women were often seen as being dependent on their husbands; however, several empresses in the Chinese court reversed their roles, taking control of the country and creating significant impact on politics, economics as well as social customs. Women who entered the Imperial Household as empresses, concubines or even maids had slightly greater power compared to traditional female citizens. Some had the opportunity
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According to the rules, empresses and empress dowagers were only allowed to rule if the emperor was too young or too inexperienced. However, in reality, only one empress was able to break the rule and rose as a female emperor with her own dynasty. Although women were allowed to attend court and made decisions for the emperors, they were not seen as official rulers and were not allowed to show their faces at court unless they were seated behind a curtain. Many royal women had helped their emperors in ruling the country as well as enriching the Chinese culture. Politics were one of the two priorities at the Chinese court. Most of the strategies and philosophies were learned or built up from Confucian theory. An emperor is expected to be wise in politic related problems, however, most were not due to lack of experience and responsibility. Fortunately, some empresses were gifted with skills of a great politician such as Empress Dou, Empress Dowager Li and female emperor Wu Zetian. Empress Dou, during the Han dynasty, was not only a faithful wife but also a wise advisor of Emperor Han Wendi. Favoring Daoism instead of the traditional Confucianism, Empress Dou created a “government of non-action, on order to relax the population and to revive the economy” (“Persons in Chinese
According to the rules, empresses and empress dowagers were only allowed to rule if the emperor was too young or too inexperienced. However, in reality, only one empress was able to break the rule and rose as a female emperor with her own dynasty. Although women were allowed to attend court and made decisions for the emperors, they were not seen as official rulers and were not allowed to show their faces at court unless they were seated behind a curtain. Many royal women had helped their emperors in ruling the country as well as enriching the Chinese culture. Politics were one of the two priorities at the Chinese court. Most of the strategies and philosophies were learned or built up from Confucian theory. An emperor is expected to be wise in politic related problems, however, most were not due to lack of experience and responsibility. Fortunately, some empresses were gifted with skills of a great politician such as Empress Dou, Empress Dowager Li and female emperor Wu Zetian. Empress Dou, during the Han dynasty, was not only a faithful wife but also a wise advisor of Emperor Han Wendi. Favoring Daoism instead of the traditional Confucianism, Empress Dou created a “government of non-action, on order to relax the population and to revive the economy” (“Persons in Chinese