Empress Wang Muzhi – The Empress whose personal name was tabooed
Empress Wang Muzhi was the empress consort to Emperor Ai of the Eastern Jin Dynasty. She was the daughter of a powerful minister. She married Emperor Ai. However, she did not produce any children with Emperor Ai.[1] After Empress Wang Muzhi died, her personal name was tabooed as a sign of respect for the Empress.[2]
The birthdate of Empress Wang Muzhi is unknown.[3] Her father was Wang Meng, who was a powerful minister. Her mother was Lady Yuan. Wang Muzhi married Emperor Cheng of the Eastern Jin Dynasty’s son named Sima Pi (the Prince of Langye).[4] Wang Muzhi became Princess of Langye.[5] Prince Sima Pi was also promoted to Calvary General.[6]
In 361 C.E., Prince Sima Pi’s cousin, Emperor Mu of the Eastern Jin Dynasty, died. Emperor Mu left no heirs. Therefore, the heir apparent position was vacant and the succession was in a crisis.[7] Empress Dowager Chu Suanzi issued a decree nominating Sima Pi as the next emperor.[8] The ministers agreed, and Sima Pi was chosen as Emperor.[9]
On 13 July 361 C.E., Sima Pi ascended the throne as Emperor Ai of the Eastern Jin Dynasty. Emperor Ai’s mother, Imperial Consort Zhao, was not made Empress Dowager.[10] Instead, she was made Grand Imperial Consort Zhao.[11] On 29 October 361 C.E., Wang Muzhi was invested as Empress.[12] Empress Wang Muzhi was childless and did not produce any children with Emperor Ai.[13] In 362 C.E., there was a proposal that the capital of the Eastern Jin Dynasty should be Luoyang.[14] Emperor Ai agreed because “it would be a vain declaration.”[15]
On 16 April 363 C.E., Emperor Ai’s mother, Grand Imperial Consort Zhao, died. Emperor Ai ordered two years of mourning for her.[16] During that time, Emperor Ai stopped being in control of government affairs.[17] He let his cousin, Prince Sima Guiji (the future Emperor Jianwen), be in charge of state affairs.[18] In 364 C.E., Emperor Ai, who was a devoted alchemist, fell critically ill after testing a pill that would lead to his immortality.[19] His reign was taken over by Empress Dowager Chu Suanzi.[20]
In February 365 C.E., Empress Wang Muzhi died of illness.[21] She had no children.[22] She was buried with the rites of an empress in Mound Anping.[23] As a sign of respect, her personal name was tabooed.[24] For instance, a general named Mao Muzhi had to change his personal name from Muzhi to Wusheng.[25] This was because he could not have the same name as the empress.[26] A month later, Emperor Ai died on 30 March 365 C.E. He was buried next to his wife in Mound Anping.[27] Because Emperor Ai had no sons to succeed him, he was succeeded by his younger brother, Emperor Fei.[28] Emperor Fei would become known as the “Deposed Emperor.”[29]
Very little is known about Empress Wang Muzhi.[30] She seemed to have no political power in the palace.[31] She seemed to be overshadowed by Empress Dowager Chu Suanzi and her mother-in-law, Grand Imperial Consort Zhou.[32] This may be because she did not produce a son.[33] Therefore, Empress Wang Muzhi remains one of China’s most forgotten empresses.[34]
Sources:
Adamek, P. (2017). Good Son is Sad If He Hears the Name of His Father: The Tabooing of Names in China as a Way of Implementing Social Values. London: Taylor & Francis.
Knechtges, D. R., Ed.; Chang, T., Ed. (2013). Ancient and Early Medieval Chinese Literature: A Reference Guide. Part 2. Netherlands: Brill.
Theobald, U. (2018, June 23). “Jin Andi 晉哀帝 Sima Pi 司馬丕”. Chinaknowledge.de- An Encyclopedia on Chinese History, Literature, and Art. Retrieved on December 18, 2024 from http://www.chinaknowledge.de/History/....
[1] Theobald, June 23, 2018, “Jin Andi 晉哀帝 Sima Pi 司馬丕”
[2] Adamek, 2017
[3] Adamek,2017
[4] Adamek, 2017; Knechtges and Chang, Eds., 2014
[5] Knechtges and Chang, Eds., 2014
[6] Knechtges and Chang, Eds., 2014
[7] Theobald, June 23, 2018, “Jin Andi 晉哀帝 Sima Pi 司馬丕”
[8] Theobald, June 23, 2018, “Jin Andi 晉哀帝 Sima Pi 司馬丕”
[9] Theobald, June 23, 2018, “Jin Andi 晉哀帝 Sima Pi 司馬丕”
[10] Theobald, June 23, 2018, “Jin Andi 晉哀帝 Sima Pi 司馬丕”
[11] Theobald, June 23, 2018, “Jin Andi 晉哀帝 Sima Pi 司馬丕”
[12] Adamek, 2017
[13] Theobald, June 23, 2018, “Jin Andi 晉哀帝 Sima Pi 司馬丕”
[14] Theobald, June 23, 2018, “Jin Andi 晉哀帝 Sima Pi 司馬丕”
[15] Theobald, June 23, 2018, “Jin Andi 晉哀帝 Sima Pi 司馬丕”, para. 2
[16] Theobald, June 23, 2018, “Jin Andi 晉哀帝 Sima Pi 司馬丕”
[17] Theobald, June 23, 2018, “Jin Andi 晉哀帝 Sima Pi 司馬丕”
[18] Theobald, June 23, 2018, “Jin Andi 晉哀帝 Sima Pi 司馬丕”
[19] Theobald, June 23, 2018, “Jin Andi 晉哀帝 Sima Pi 司馬丕”
[20] Theobald, June 23, 2018, “Jin Andi 晉哀帝 Sima Pi 司馬丕”
[21] Adamek, 2017
[22] Theobald, June 23, 2018, “Jin Andi 晉哀帝 Sima Pi 司馬丕”
[23] Theobald, June 23, 2018, “Jin Andi 晉哀帝 Sima Pi 司馬丕”
[24] Adamek, 2017
[25] Adamek, 2017
[26] Adamek, 2017
[27] Theobald, June 23, 2018, “Jin Andi 晉哀帝 Sima Pi 司馬丕”
[28] Theobald, June 23, 2018, “Jin Andi 晉哀帝 Sima Pi 司馬丕”
[29] Theobald, June 23, 2018, “Jin Andi 晉哀帝 Sima Pi 司馬丕”, para. 6
[30] Adamek, 2017
[31] Theobald, June 23, 2018, “Jin Andi 晉哀帝 Sima Pi 司馬丕”
[32] Theobald, June 23, 2018, “Jin Andi 晉哀帝 Sima Pi 司馬丕”
[33] Theobald, June 23, 2018, “Jin Andi 晉哀帝 Sima Pi 司馬丕”
[34] Adamek, 2017
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