#chinesecivilization

Wu Zetian

Empress Wu Zetian (Empress Consort Wu, Wu Hou, Wu Mei Niang, Mei-Niang, and Wu Zhao, l. 624-705 CE, r. 690-704 CE) was the only female emperor of Imperial China. She reigned during the Tang Dynasty (618-907 CE) and was one of the most effective and controversial monarchs in China's history.

She began her life at court as a concubine of the emperor Taizong. After his death, she married his son, Gaozong (r. 649-683 CE) and became empress consort but actually was the power behind the emperor. When Gaozong died in 683 CE, Wu took control of the government as empress dowager, placing two of her sons on the throne and removing them almost as quickly. She was the power behind the throne from Gaozong's death in 683 CE until she proclaimed herself openly in 690 CE and ruled as emperor of China until a year before her death in 705 CE, at the age of 81.

Early Life

Wu Zetian was born in Wenshi County, Shanxi Province, in 624 CE to a wealthy family. She was the daughter of Wu Shihuo, a chancellor of the Tang Dynasty. Unlike most young girls in China at this time, Wu was encouraged by her father to read and write and develop the intellectual skills which were traditionally reserved for males. Wu also learned to play music, write poetry, and speak well in public.

She was very beautiful and was selected by emperor Taizong (r. 626 - 649 CE) as one of his concubines when she was 14 years old. It was Taizong who called her 'Mei-Niang' meaning 'beautiful girl' (one of the names commonly, and wrongly, attributed to her as her birth name). Although the function of the concubine in China is almost always associated with sex, a woman in this position could have a number of non-sexual responsibilities, from daily tasks like taking care of the laundry to more specialized skills like conversation, poetry reading, and playing music.

Wu began her life at court taking care of the royal laundry but one day dared to speak to the emperor when they were alone and talked about Chinese history. Taizong was surprised that his latest concubine could read and write and became fascinated by her beauty and wit in conversation. Taizong was so impressed at her intellectual abilities, he took her out of the laundry and made her his secretary. In her new position, she was constantly involved in affairs of state at the highest level and must have performed her duties well because she became a favorite of Taizong.

She attracted the attention of many of the young men at court and one of these was the Prince Li Zhi, son of Taizong, who would become the next emperor, Gaozong. Wu began an affair with Li Zhi, who was married at the time, while still attached to Taizong as concubine. Li Zhi was deeply in love with Wu but could not do anything about it because she belonged to his father and, besides, he was already married.

When Taizong died, Wu and his other concubines had their heads shaved and were sent to Ganye Temple to begin their lives as nuns. This was a common practice after the death of the emperor. The emperor's concubines could not be passed on to be used by others but were forced to end their time at court and start a new life of chastity in a religious order. However, when Li Zhi became emperor and took the name Gaozong, one of the first things he did was send for Wu and have her brought back to court as the first of his concubines, even though he had others and also a wife.

Wu Zetian

Empress Wu Zetian (Empress Consort Wu, Wu Hou, Wu Mei Niang, Mei-Niang, and Wu Zhao, l. 624-705 CE, r. 690-704 CE) was the only female emperor of Imperial China. She reigned during the Tang Dynasty (618-907 CE) and was one of the most effective and controversial monarchs in China's history.

She began her life at court as a concubine of the emperor Taizong. After his death, she married his son, Gaozong (r. 649-683 CE) and became empress consort but actually was the power behind the emperor. When Gaozong died in 683 CE, Wu took control of the government as empress dowager, placing two of her sons on the throne and removing them almost as quickly. She was the power behind the throne from Gaozong's death in 683 CE until she proclaimed herself openly in 690 CE and ruled as emperor of China until a year before her death in 705 CE, at the age of 81.

Early Life

Wu Zetian was born in Wenshi County, Shanxi Province, in 624 CE to a wealthy family. She was the daughter of Wu Shihuo, a chancellor of the Tang Dynasty. Unlike most young girls in China at this time, Wu was encouraged by her father to read and write and develop the intellectual skills which were traditionally reserved for males. Wu also learned to play music, write poetry, and speak well in public.

She was very beautiful and was selected by emperor Taizong (r. 626 - 649 CE) as one of his concubines when she was 14 years old. It was Taizong who called her 'Mei-Niang' meaning 'beautiful girl' (one of the names commonly, and wrongly, attributed to her as her birth name). Although the function of the concubine in China is almost always associated with sex, a woman in this position could have a number of non-sexual responsibilities, from daily tasks like taking care of the laundry to more specialized skills like conversation, poetry reading, and playing music.

Wu began her life at court taking care of the royal laundry but one day dared to speak to the emperor when they were alone and talked about Chinese history. Taizong was surprised that his latest concubine could read and write and became fascinated by her beauty and wit in conversation. Taizong was so impressed at her intellectual abilities, he took her out of the laundry and made her his secretary. In her new position, she was constantly involved in affairs of state at the highest level and must have performed her duties well because she became a favorite of Taizong.

She attracted the attention of many of the young men at court and one of these was the Prince Li Zhi, son of Taizong, who would become the next emperor, Gaozong. Wu began an affair with Li Zhi, who was married at the time, while still attached to Taizong as concubine. Li Zhi was deeply in love with Wu but could not do anything about it because she belonged to his father and, besides, he was already married.

When Taizong died, Wu and his other concubines had their heads shaved and were sent to Ganye Temple to begin their lives as nuns. This was a common practice after the death of the emperor. The emperor's concubines could not be passed on to be used by others but were forced to end their time at court and start a new life of chastity in a religious order. However, when Li Zhi became emperor and took the name Gaozong, one of the first things he did was send for Wu and have her brought back to court as the first of his concubines, even though he had others and also a wife.

Emperor Taizong of Tang

Taizong (birth name, Li-Shimin, l. 598-649 CE, r. 626-649 CE) was the second emperor of the Tang Dynasty and is considered one of the greatest rulers in Chinese history for his reforms of the government and the laws, his religious tolerance, and the prosperity China enjoyed under his reign.

Taizong set the standard for rulers of the Tang Dynasty, regarded as the Golden Age of Chinese history, which his successors were measured by. Taizong's reign became legendary to the extent that the last good emperor of the Tang Dynasty, Xuanzong II (r. 846-859 CE) modeled his own reign after that of Taizong's and was remembered after his death as "Little Taizong".

Taizong was the son of the first emperor of the Tang Dynasty, Gaozu (r. 618-626 CE) and had served under him as a general in overthrowing the rule of the corrupt Sui Dynasty (589-618 CE). Taizong was passed over for succession in favor of his older brother but staged a coup in which he murdered his brother and other siblings to seize the throne and imperial power. He proved himself such an effective ruler that these crimes were forgiven and he reigned successfully until his death when he was succeeded by his son, Gaozong (r. 649-683 CE) and then his former concubine Wu Zetian (r. 683-704 CE), the only female monarch in China's history, who learned her skills as empress from Taizong.

Li-Shimin Becomes Qin Wang

Taizong's birth name was Li-Shimin and he was born in 598 CE in modern-day Shaanxi Province, the second son of Li-Yuan. Li-Yuan was the Duke of Tang and a general in the army of the Sui Dynasty which had become more and more corrupt. In the final years, the last emperors of the Sui drained the imperial treasury on military campaigns while ignoring the needs of the people. Li-Yuan joined with other rebels to lead a revolt which overthrew the Sui Dynasty and established himself as Gaozu, first emperor of the Tang Dynasty.

According to Taizong's later personal history, he was instrumental in the most important aspects of the Tang victory by providing the tactics for his father. Taizong was a brilliant strategist and charismatic leader whose contributions to the overthrow of the Sui were rewarded when his father named him Qinguogong, a vassal of the state, and later Qin Wang, Duke of the state of Qin. As Qin Wang, he crushed the resistance to Gaozu's rule and stabilized the country.

Gaozu was a good emperor who continued the best policies of the Sui Dynasty while reducing the abuses and reforming those policies which had allowed them. It was Gaozu who implemented the bureaucratic practices which Taizong later modified and which are still used in China today. Although he ruled well, Qin Wang was becoming more popular among the people for his military actions against Sui loyalists and this concerned his brothers. Qin Wang was only the duke, not the crown prince, and his older brother Li-Jiancheng worried that he might try to replace him as heir so Li-Jiancheng conspired with the other brothers to eliminate Qin Wang.

Gaozu seemed oblivious to these problems and continued to rule well, creating the Tang Legal Code in 624 CE which would be used by future dynasties and was even copied by other nations like Japan, Korea, and Vietnam. He also reformed the aristocracy to prevent over-taxation of the peasant farmers and re-distributed land parcels. While he was busy governing the country, his sons were working on various plots to get rid of Qin Wang and secure the rightful succession. Qin Wang was told of his brothers' plans and let his father know about them. Just before this, Gaozu had named Li-Jiancheng his heir and this decree was more than Qin Wang could bear. He believed he deserved better than the position of Duke of Qin because of his efforts in putting down the Sui rebellions and due to his popularity among the people.

ashley-de-silva: In my opinion, the concept of meritocracy is the most important contribution of the Chinese civilization. As can be seen from their history, nobility does not guarantee effective and efficient leadership. Having examinations therefore is a good approach to ensure that all public officials are capable and well-informed. Unfortunately, in the Philippines, there are officials in the Congress and in the Senate who are inept, misinformed and elected only because of the families they belong to. I then hope that COMELEC sees the need for a stricter qualifications in becoming a government official to ensure that all those in position are competent and able to serve the public. 

jorel-cortel: The Taoist’s belief in the Tai Chi (the yin yang), which describes a balance, is probably a principle that has reached across different civilizations unconsciously. Regardless of religion, perfecting a balance with nature allows people to realize that true happiness does not come from an overindulgence of worldly treasures. Rather, it comes from the satisfaction in harmony and peace with other people and nature. 

shanei-oliveros: For me, I would say that it would be the celebration of the Chinese New Year because it symbolizes how flexible and adaptable people would be. Well, generally, it would be instilling “chinatowns” in most if not all countries but the celebration of the Chinese New Year itself implies that people are open to new concepts outside their comfort zone.

ashley-de-silva: At home, I believe it is the Chinese’s reverence to the elders that is most practiced. Although my brothers and I are given much freedom to express our opinions on a certain matter, my parents always taught us to respect the elder’s judgment and sentiment. This is most practiced when eating meals together—we are expected to let them share their opinions on a particular issue first so that they will feel respected and honored. 

jorel-cortel: Confucius’ concept of filial piety and cardinal relationships is a Chinese contribution practiced diligently at home. My cousins and I grew up close to our elderly relatives, and it is through this practice that we deepened our appreciation for their efforts and time with us. Growing up in this environment allowed me to realize the significance of filial piety introduced by the Chinese civilization. As this sign of respect is also practiced by Filipinos toward each other around the country, our national identity has often been associated with this characteristic of respect and hospitality. 

shanei-oliveros: Both of my parents work in the vicinity of the country’s Chinatown (Binondo and Quiapo) and therefore, at home, we usually see or practice some beliefs. In terms of religion, we light incense to protect us from evil spirits, we also practice Feng Shui at home and technically celebrate Chinese New Year with our Chinese friends. We love eating tikoy and use ang pao on several occassions.

by: Shanei Oliveros & Ashley de Silva

Though not many people follow it today, wearing red is one tradition the Chinese people passed on to Filipinos. During New Year, people are advised to wear red to invite happiness, energy and good luck. This belief in red as a color of good fortune, however, is said to be rooted in a Chinese legend. 

Nian, a half bull with a lion head beast, was said to terrorize villagers on New Year—eating crops, livestock and children. Villagers later learned that the beast was afraid of fire, noise and the color red. From then on, the Chinese wore red on Chinese New Year to drive away bad luck and misfortune.

Source:

by: Shanei Oliveros

CHINESE NEW YEAR is celebrated all over Philippines in different ways. The dragons, for instance, are believed to represent great power, wisdom, fertility and auspiciousness. 

Until today, in Binondo, business owners hang red envelopes (ang pao) in their storefronts to be snapped by the dancing dragon as they dance their way to the streets. This is said to symbolize the offerings made from the shop to the dragon in order to bring prosperity and to be able to be protected from evil spirits.

Firecrackers are also something that we have inherited from the Chinese. They believed firecrackers can scare away evil spirits. In fact, the louder and flashier the fireworks display is, the better.  

In the Philippine context, we usually set off fireworks not only during New Year, but also during special occasions such as birthdays, weddings, anniversaries, election victories, or sometimes even for aesthetic purposes (e.g. MOA fireworks during weekends!). However, last 2017, President Duterte signed Executive Order No. 28 which limits the use of firecrackers to fireworks display in households due to the substantial number of injuries and casualties recorded annually. 

Another is the clearing and paying off debts before the start of the year. Our belief that we should be debt-free by the start of a new year came from our Chinese friends. It has been said that for them (and probably for us as well) it is very important to pay off all outstanding responsibilities to be able to start the year on a clean slate.

The practice of eating tikoy during Chinese New Year was also brought to our culture by the Chinese. For them, it is considered as good luck to eat Tikoy on New Year’s Eve since its Mandarin term, “Nian Gao” pretty much sounds like the one for “higher year.”

Sources:

http://www.euronews.com/2018/02/17/celebrating-the-chinese-new-year

http://thesmartlocal.com/read/chinese-new-year-ang-pow-guide