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!”
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