In the last episode, we introduced you to the backstory of WuZeTian and how she got herself onto the throne. 

Welcome to the fifth episode of Yin The Dynasties! IT will be part 2 of the episode where we talked about her achievements during her reign and some juicy stories about her! What is it like to be be China’s first and only female emperor, and create a new dynasty? Was she as cruel and ruthless as how historians portrayed her? Listen to it to find out!

The Demonization of Empress Wu— by Mike Dash, The Smithsonian Magazine

Wi Zetian biography—by World History Encyclopedia

Wu Zhao: Ruler of Tang Dynasty China— by Yuen Ting Lee, Association for Asian Studies

Was China’s Empress Wu the richest woman ever?— Douglas Parkes, South China Morning Post

Music

故宫的记忆by 神思者

卧龙吟 by Zi De guqin Studio

长安幻世绘by Zi De guqin Studio

女皇 by Joey Yung

In the last episode, we introduced the Four Beauties of ancient China and how most of them were used as mere tools for political struggles.

Welcome to the fourth episode of Yin The Dynasties! We'll be talking about poweful women in court, featuring Wu ZeTian. This woman started her journey as a lady in waiting in the imperial palace when she was fourteen, how did she end up on the throne, becoming China’s first and only female emperor, and creating a new dynasty? Was she as cruel and ruthless as how historians portrayed her?

Credits:

The Demonization of Empress Wu— by Mike Dash, The Smithsonian Magazine

Wi Zetian biography—by World History Encyclopedia

Wu Zhao: Ruler of Tang Dynasty China— by Yuen Ting Lee, Association for Asian Studies

Was China’s Empress Wu the richest woman ever?— Douglas Parkes, South China Morning Post

Music

故宫的记忆by 神思者

卧龙吟 by Zi De guqin Studio

长安幻世绘by Zi De guqin Studio

女皇 by Joey Yung

In the last episode, we talked about the lives of the Emperor’s concubines and the imperial harem system.

Welcome to the third episode of Yin The Dynasties! We’ll be telling stories of the Four Beauties in ancient China! Who were the four beauties and how were they portrayed in history? The Beauty Trap is where one sends beautiful women to an enemy’s sit to cause chaos. Were women merely tools used in political struggles?  Is it true that the only way for women in ancient China to be recorded in history is to cause trouble?

Credits:

Intro music by Zi De guqin Studio

Transition audio- The Untamed by Zi De guqin Studio

一花一世界, One flower is a world (Background music) by巫娜

木蘭 (Background music) by 陳蕙婷

张国立朗诵白居易《长恨歌》

The face that ended a dynasty? Imperial concubine Yang Guifei— by Alex Colville for The China Project

Xi Shi, the Fairest Beauty of Ancient China— by the Shanghai Daily

The Regional State of Yue— by China Knowledge.de

The Four Great Beauties of Ancient China— by Martini Fisher

The four legendary beauties of ancient China— by The China Project

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

Have you ever wondered how your lief would be if you were born a girl in ancient China? What were the expectations toward women in that period of time? 

Welcome to our first episode of Yin The Dynasties! This episode is an overview about women's life in ancient china, and some social rules and etiquettes they had to adhere to during that time. If you liked it, make sure to follow us on Instagram @yinthedynasties for more!

Explanation:

无才便是德 (wú cái biàn shì dé)- To be untalented/unskilled/uneducated is a virtue

Credits:

Explanation of Yin and Yang concept— Mark Cartwright from World History Encyclopedia

Women in Confucianism thought—article by Juliana Batista from Schwarzman Scholars

Seven grounds for divorce— explained by Collaborative Chinese Chat

Intro music by Zi De guqin Studio on YouTube

Background music by Kinh Ho Van on YouTube

For over 4,000 years of Chinese history, where did women stand in society and how did it impact China’s economical and political position in the world? Join us as we discuss women in ancient China, and explore how they left a mark in history and how society treated them. If you are into different dynasties and fun facts about Chinese culture, this is for you!