Wu Zetian Is A Feminist Icon And Here’s 10 Reasons Why…..
By: Gretchen Stillman
1. She brought the Buddhist Religion to China.
Holtgrewe. “Buddhism Cartoon.” Holtgrewe Demo Blog, 19 Oct. 2012.
Today, Buddhism is one of the most practiced religions in China along side of Taoism, Islamic, Protestantism, and Catholicism. She was introduced to the religion as a child but, “After Emperor Taizong’s death in 649, Wu was sent to spend the rest of her life as a Buddhist nun in Ganye Temple.” (Song 363) According to Chinese tradition, “those concubines of the deceased emperor who had borne children would be confined in their own chambers and those who had not borne any children would all go to a nunnery to be nuns.” (X. L. Woo) Therefore, “making it possible for a woman to be the new “Son of Heaven.”” (Shu-Fang Dien) Thus, giving women more power in the religious world.
2. She Promised tax Relief.
Donald Duck Money GIF. Giphy.com, 15 May 2015.
Wu was able to promise tax relief to those of her people whom were especially burdened. This showed her empathy toward those who where less fortunate than her.
3. She reduced the number of servants in the palace.
“Free Harry Potter GIF.” Giphy.com, 7 Aug. 2013.
Wu also, “showed her own austerity by reducing the number of servants inside the palace.” (Shu-Fang Dien 43) She made it very clear that she didn’t care about a persons social status.
4. She wasn’t born to a well off family she had to work for it.
“Ladder GIF.” Giphy.com, 5 Aug. 2016.
Due to Wu not being born into nobility she was able to understand her peoples wants and needs. She earned her position climbing the social ladder from concubine to Empress of China.
5. She banned the butchering of animals.
Lynch, Mark. “Bacon Bits.” Https://Www.cartoonstock.com.
The butchering of animals is frowned upon is several religions popular in China. Although, this wasn’t consistent throughout the entirety of her rule it does show her respect to both those who do and do not worship these traditions.
6. She listened to her people and didn’t care about birth rank.
“Bridesmaids Help Me Im Poor GIF.” Giphy.com, 18 Feb. 2014.
Because of her low birth rank she did things other rulers were afraid of. An example of this being her system where servants were allowed to denounce their masters so that they could go to the palace and file their complaints.
7. She was able to balance the three great teachings.
“The ‘Taichi Symbol’ .” Https://En.wikipedia.org.
Religion was a key point in keeping her time as Empress one of tranquility. Wu never discriminated based on ones religious beliefs and, “She was deft in balancing the three great teachings in her administration.” (Shu-Fang Dien 59) The three great teachings are Confucianism, Taoism, and Buddhism.
8. She made sure that crimes against the church were equal to crimes against the state.
“A Libertarian Perspective – Separation of Church and State: What Is It? Why Do We Have It? Should Churches Pay Taxes?” Https://Soapboxie.com, 10 Apr. 2017.
This once again ties back to her understanding of the three great teachings and her respect towards her peoples religious beliefs.
9. She didn’t let her family and inner circle squabbles effect how she ruled China.
“Family Is Watching Football Again.” Https://Imgur.com, 7 Sept. 2015.
During her life, Wu was known to have a consistent rivalry with Empress Wang (the Emperors previous wife). But this never stopped Wu from putting her people first. Some still argue that the tyranny of Empress Wu Zetian cannot be covered up by the “few” good deeds she did in her lifetime, but I would beg to differ, “Wu’s life activities demonstrate proto-feminism in the late seventh century china in at least four aspects: gender equality sexuality, in social status, in politics, and women’s pursuit of power and leadership”(Niya Peng)
10. Her time as Empress was peaceful.
“Snoop Dogg Peace GIF.” Https://Giphy.com, 13 June 2016.
Works Cited
Dien, Dora Shu-fang. Empress Wu Zetian in Fiction and in History: Female Defiance in Confu cian China. Nova Science Publishers Incorporated, 2003.
Song, Xianlin. “Re-Gendering Chinese History: Zhao Meiâs Emperor Wu Zetian.” East Asia: An International Quarterly, 27, 4, 19 Dec. 2010, pp. 361–379.
Mcmahon, Keith. “Women Rulers in Imperial China.” Nan Nü,15, 2, 2013, pp. 179– 218.
Woo, X. L. “Empress Wu the Great: Tang Dynasty China.” Algora Pub., 2008.
Peng, Niya, et al. “Feminist Thinking in Late Seventh-Century China.” Equality, Diversity and Inclusion: An International Journal, 34, 1, 9 Feb. 2015, pp. 67–83.
Rebel Queens and Rule Breakers 