Emperor Wu Zhao and Her Pantheon of Devis, Divinities, and Dynastic Mothers

Emperor Wu Zhao and Her Pantheon of Devis, Divinities, and Dynastic Mothers PDF Author: N. Harry Rothschild
Publisher: Columbia University Press
ISBN: 0231539185
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 382

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Book Description
Wu Zhao (624–705), better known as Wu Zetian or Empress Wu, is the only woman to have ruled China as emperor over the course of its 5,000-year history. How did she—in a predominantly patriarchal and androcentric society—ascend the dragon throne? Exploring a mystery that has confounded scholars for centuries, this multifaceted history suggests that China's rich pantheon of female divinities and eminent women played an integral part in the construction of Wu Zhao's sovereignty. Wu Zhao deftly deployed language, symbol, and ideology to harness the cultural resonance, maternal force, divine energy, and historical weight of Buddhist devis, Confucian exemplars, Daoist immortals, and mythic goddesses, establishing legitimacy within and beyond the confines of Confucian ideology. Tapping into powerful subterranean reservoirs of female power, Wu Zhao built a pantheon of female divinities carefully calibrated to meet her needs at court. Her pageant was promoted in scripted rhetoric, reinforced through poetry, celebrated in theatrical productions, and inscribed on steles. Rendered with deft political acumen and aesthetic flair, these affiliations significantly enhanced Wu Zhao's authority and cast her as the human vessel through which the pantheon's divine energy flowed. Her strategy is a model of political brilliance and proof that medieval Chinese women enjoyed a more complex social status than previously known.

Emperor Wu Zhao and Her Pantheon of Devis, Divinities, and Dynastic Mothers

Emperor Wu Zhao and Her Pantheon of Devis, Divinities, and Dynastic Mothers PDF Author: N. Harry Rothschild
Publisher: Columbia University Press
ISBN: 0231539185
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 382

Get Book Here

Book Description
Wu Zhao (624–705), better known as Wu Zetian or Empress Wu, is the only woman to have ruled China as emperor over the course of its 5,000-year history. How did she—in a predominantly patriarchal and androcentric society—ascend the dragon throne? Exploring a mystery that has confounded scholars for centuries, this multifaceted history suggests that China's rich pantheon of female divinities and eminent women played an integral part in the construction of Wu Zhao's sovereignty. Wu Zhao deftly deployed language, symbol, and ideology to harness the cultural resonance, maternal force, divine energy, and historical weight of Buddhist devis, Confucian exemplars, Daoist immortals, and mythic goddesses, establishing legitimacy within and beyond the confines of Confucian ideology. Tapping into powerful subterranean reservoirs of female power, Wu Zhao built a pantheon of female divinities carefully calibrated to meet her needs at court. Her pageant was promoted in scripted rhetoric, reinforced through poetry, celebrated in theatrical productions, and inscribed on steles. Rendered with deft political acumen and aesthetic flair, these affiliations significantly enhanced Wu Zhao's authority and cast her as the human vessel through which the pantheon's divine energy flowed. Her strategy is a model of political brilliance and proof that medieval Chinese women enjoyed a more complex social status than previously known.

Wu

Wu PDF Author: Jonathan Clements
Publisher:
ISBN: 9781909771109
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 318

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Book Description


Empress Wu Zetian

Empress Wu Zetian PDF Author: Laurel A Rockefeller
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 80

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Book Description
The most hated woman in Chinese history! Born in 624 CE in Wenshui County in Shanxi province, very little was expected of the beautiful and bright Wu Zhao (reign title Wu Zetian) -- except that she would be trouble to any man unlucky enough to marry her. The very opposite of a virtuous maiden by most interpretations of the Analects of Confucius, Wu Zhao was not only bright, but highly educated and equally ambitious. Harshly judged by both contemporaries and generations of Chinese scholars since, the one thing everyone can agree upon about Empress Wu: the world is a vastly different place because she dared what no other woman of her time dreamed was possible. This is her true story, a truly legendary woman of world history. Student - Teacher Edition features challenging study questions after every chapter, plus a detailed timeline, and an extensive suggested reading list.

Rejected Princesses

Rejected Princesses PDF Author: Jason Porath
Publisher: HarperCollins
ISBN: 0062405381
Category : Social Science
Languages : en
Pages : 653

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Book Description
Blending the iconoclastic feminism of The Notorious RBG and the confident irreverence of Go the F**ck to Sleep, a brazen and empowering illustrated collection that celebrates inspirational badass women throughout history, based on the popular Tumblr blog. Well-behaved women seldom make history. Good thing these women are far from well behaved . . . Illustrated in a contemporary animation style, Rejected Princesses turns the ubiquitous "pretty pink princess" stereotype portrayed in movies, and on endless toys, books, and tutus on its head, paying homage instead to an awesome collection of strong, fierce, and yes, sometimes weird, women: warrior queens, soldiers, villains, spies, revolutionaries, and more who refused to behave and meekly accept their place. An entertaining mix of biography, imagery, and humor written in a fresh, young, and riotous voice, this thoroughly researched exploration salutes these awesome women drawn from both historical and fantastical realms, including real life, literature, mythology, and folklore. Each profile features an eye-catching image of both heroic and villainous women in command from across history and around the world, from a princess-cum-pirate in fifth century Denmark, to a rebel preacher in 1630s Boston, to a bloodthirsty Hungarian countess, and a former prostitute who commanded a fleet of more than 70,000 men on China’s seas.

Iron Widow (Book 1)

Iron Widow (Book 1) PDF Author: Xiran Jay Zhao
Publisher: Penguin
ISBN: 0735269947
Category : Young Adult Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 379

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Book Description
An instant #1 New York Times bestseller! A USA Today bestseller! Pacific Rim meets The Handmaid's Tale in this blend of Chinese history and mecha science fiction for YA readers. The boys of Huaxia dream of pairing up with girls to pilot Chrysalises, giant transforming robots that can battle the mecha aliens that lurk beyond the Great Wall. It doesn't matter that the girls often die from the mental strain. When 18-year-old Zetian offers herself up as a concubine-pilot, it's to assassinate the ace male pilot responsible for her sister's death. But she gets her vengeance in a way nobody expected—she kills him through the psychic link between pilots and emerges from the cockpit unscathed. She is labeled an Iron Widow, a much-feared and much-silenced kind of female pilot who can sacrifice boys to power up Chrysalises instead.​ To tame her unnerving yet invaluable mental strength, she is paired up with Li Shimin, the strongest and most controversial male pilot in Huaxia​. But now that Zetian has had a taste of power, she will not cower so easily. She will miss no opportunity to leverage their combined might and infamy to survive attempt after attempt on her life, until she can figure out exactly why the pilot system works in its misogynist way—and stop more girls from being sacrificed.

All Hail the Queen

All Hail the Queen PDF Author: Jennifer Orkin Lewis
Publisher: Chronicle Books
ISBN: 1452166803
Category : Biography & Autobiography
Languages : en
Pages : 139

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Book Description
Discover twenty true stories of royal intrigue, power, and passion, brought to life through the gorgeous illustrations of Jennifer Orkin Lewis and the witty words of Shweta Jha. From Cleopatra to Empress Wu Zetian, Marie Antoinette to Queen Liliuokalani of Hawaii, these extraordinary female monarchs from all over the world have captured imaginations throughout the ages. With a deluxe foil-spangled two-piece case, this elegant and diverse celebration of women in charge makes the perfect Mother's Day or girlfriend go-to gift for the queen in our lives.

Wu Zhao

Wu Zhao PDF Author: N. Harry Rothschild
Publisher: Pearson
ISBN:
Category : Biography & Autobiography
Languages : en
Pages : 260

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Book Description
The story chronicles Wu Zhao's humble beginnings as the daughter of a provincial official and follows her path to the inner palace, where she improbably rose from a fifth-ranked concubine to emperor. Using Buddhist rhetoric, architecture, court rituals, and a network of "cruel officials" to cow her many opponents in court, Wu Zhao inaugurated a new dynasty in 690, the Zhou. She ruled as emperor for fifteen years, proving eminently competent in the art of governance, balancing factions in court, staving off the encroachment of Turks and Tibetans, and fostering the state's economic growth.

Queen Wu Zetian

Queen Wu Zetian PDF Author: Ji Lu
Publisher: DeepLogic
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 12

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Book Description
She has supremacy, she is only the history of China Yi Wei Queen; she, Harborside, Articles dignity, killing, informants, Ruthless was a sign that dynasty; she, intelligent and passionate, graceful and elegant, wife, lover, The male pet was a memorable one in her life. So who is she? How did she become a generation of empresses in the annals of history? She is Wu Zetian. Wu Zetian, a ruthless monarch, killed countless people in her 15 years in office; Wu Zetian, a gentle and affectionate woman , loved a lot during her 81 years of life . So, what kind of love has there been in her life? Why is there so many male pets in her later years? Wu Zetian ( 624-705 ), and the state Wenshui, the emperor of Tang Gaozong Li Zhi, the female politician of the Tang Dynasty. Sexuality , multi-powered. In 637 (11th year of Emperor Taizong's reign of Emperor Taizong), Wu was called into the palace with beauty, and he was a talented woman. He was awarded Wumei at the age of 14 . 649 years too were dead, the sense of industry, Temple shaved his head for Nepal. Empress Xiao Wang is working with Shu Fei rivalry, resolved to take advantage of the beauty of Wu Mei, transfer high were thick on Shaw's pet. The order was ordered to be secretly distributed to the Emperor Gaozong. The next year is the eldest son Li Hong, and he is promoted to Zhaoyi. After Wu's self-reliance as a queen, he began to participate in the political affairs, and Gao Zong also called "two holy." In 683 , Gaozong died, Li Xian was succeeded to Zhongzong, and Zunwu was the Empress Dowager. The following year, the waste is Luling Wang Li Xian, Li Li Dan was Rui Zong, Wu too hind paw power. In 690 , the waste Li Dan became the Emperor of Heaven, and the name of the country was changed to Zhou, and it was changed to Yuan Tian. The history was called " Wu Zhou " . After Wu Zetian called the emperor, he opened the imperial examination and used the people; rewarding the farmers and developing the economy; knowing people and doing things well. In the nearly half century of her administration of the political affairs, social stability and economic development laid the foundation for the later "King Yuan Sheng Shi". However, Wu Zetian murdered the Queen Xiao Yu, killed the parents, and the Dafeng Wushi kings, reusing the cool, severe punishment, and prisoners, was condemned by history. In 705 , the prime minister, Zhang Xingzhi , was dying of illness and was in danger of dying in the age of Zong, and Zunwu was " the Emperor of Heaven " . In the winter of the same year, Wu died, at the age of 82 , and the widow “ goed to the emperor, saying that it was the empress of the great emperor. ” Li Bai listed Wu Zetian as one of the “ seven holys ” of the Tang Dynasty .

Empress

Empress PDF Author: Shan Sa
Publisher: Harper Collins
ISBN: 0061983136
Category : Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 497

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Book Description
Such is the voice of Shan Sa's unforgettable heroine in her latest literary masterpiece, Empress. Empress Wu, one of China's most controversial figures, was its first and only female emperor, who emerged in the seventh century during the great Tang Dynasty and ushered in a golden age. Throughout history, her name has been defamed and her story distorted by those taking vengeance on a woman who dared to become emperor. But now, for the first time in thirteen centuries, Empress Wu (or Heavenlight, as we come to know her) flings open the gates of the Forbidden City and tells her own astonishing tale—revealing a fascinating, complex figure who in many ways remains modern to this day. Writing with epic assurance, poetry, and vivid historic detail, Shan Sa plumbs the psychological and philosophical depths of what it means to be a striving mortal in a tumultuous, power-hungry world. Empress is a great literary feat and a revelation for the ages.

All Made Up

All Made Up PDF Author: Rae Nudson
Publisher: Beacon Press
ISBN: 0807059684
Category : Social Science
Languages : en
Pages : 218

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Book Description
A fascinating journey through history and culture, examining how makeup affects self-empowerment, how people have used it to define (and defy) their roles in society, and why we all need to care There is a history and a cultural significance that comes with wearing cat-eye-inspired liner or a bold red lip, one that many women feel to this day, even if we don’t realize exactly why. Increasingly, people of all genders are wrestling with what it means to be a woman living in a patriarchy, and part of that is how looking like a woman—whatever that means—affects people’s real lives. Through the stories of famous women like Cleopatra, Empress Wu, Madam C. J. Walker, Elizabeth Taylor, and Marsha P. Johnson, Rae Nudson unpacks makeup’s cultural impact—including how it can be used to shape a personal or cultural narrative, how often beauty standards align with whiteness, how and when it can be used for safety, and its function in the workplace, to name a few examples. Every woman has had to make a very personal choice about her relationship with makeup, and consciously or unconsciously, every woman knows that the choice is never entirely hers to make. This book also holds space for complicating factors, especially the ways that beauty standards differ across race, class, and culture. Engaging and informative, All Made Up will expand the discussion around what it means to participate in creating your own self-image.