In the last episode we talked about the lives of ordinary women in ancient China, but what about women living in the imperial palace?

Welcome to the second episode of Yin The Dynasties! We’ll be diving into the lives of the concubines and the imperial harem system! Why did courtesans started binding their foot? Did you know that the 10th Century Chinese calendar was made for the emperor’s sex life?

Credits— Special thanks to:

Clip from 如懿传, Ruyi's Royal Love in the Palace (03:47)

Translation: “I’m the imperial consort, how dare you try to punish me?” “But I’m the empress!”

Music

Introduction music from Zi De guqin Studio

Transition audio from Zi De guqin Studio

Explanation of polygamy in imperial China— Fercility Jiang from China Highlights

Story of Sui Wen Di 隋文帝, the emperor who had the fewest concubines in Chinese history— Keith McMahon for The Journal of Asian Studies

The Forbidden City as the world’s largest complex— Jonathan Chatwin for CNN

Forbidden City design details— China Highlights

Life of women in the imperial palace— Marcelo Duhalde for the South China Morning Post

Hierarchy of concubines in the inner palace— China Fetching

Foot binding fun facts— Amanda Foreman for the Smithsonian Magazine

The role of a eunuch— Marcelo Duhalde for the South China Morning Post