Grand empress dowager facts for kids
The Grand Empress Dowager (also called Grand Dowager Empress or Grand Empress Mother) was a very important title given to the grandmother of a ruler in ancient China, Japan, Korea, and Vietnam. Sometimes, it was given to another older woman from the same family generation as the emperor's grandmother. This title showed how much respect and power these women had in the royal court.
Grand Empresses Dowager were considered even more important than the Empress Dowager (the emperor's mother). They had a special place of honor, even above the emperor himself, when it came to showing respect.
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What was a Grand Empress Dowager's Role?
Sometimes, a Grand Empress Dowager would act as a regent. This means she would rule the country for the emperor, especially if he was too young to govern on his own. It was like being a temporary ruler until the emperor grew up.
Some Grand Empresses Dowager were very powerful and continued to rule even after the emperor was old enough. This could sometimes cause problems in the government, as traditional historians in China often noted.
Famous Chinese Grand Empresses Dowager
Many Grand Empresses Dowager played big roles in Chinese history. Here are a few examples from different dynasties:
Han Dynasty
- Grand Empress Dowager Lü Zhi (188 BC – 180 BC): She was a very powerful ruler during the reigns of Emperors Qianshao and Houshao.
- Grand Empress Dowager Dou (141 BC – 135 BC): She was influential during the time of Emperor Wu.
- Grand Empress Dowager Wang Zhengjun (7 BC – 13 AD): She saw several emperors come and go, including Emperor Ai and Emperor Ping.
Jin Dynasty (266–420)
- Grand Empress Dowager Li Lingrong (397–400): She served during the reign of Emperor An.
Northern Wei Dynasty
- Grand Empress Dowager Feng (471–490): She was a very strong ruler during the reign of Emperor Xiaowen. She made many important changes to the empire.
Tang Dynasty
- Grand Empress Dowager Guo (824–848): She was a long-serving Grand Empress Dowager, seeing four different emperors rule: Jingzong, Wenzong, Wuzong, and Xuānzong.
Song Dynasty
- Grand Empress Dowager Gao Taotao (1085–1093): She was a respected regent during the reign of Emperor Zhezong.
- Grand Empress Dowager Xie Daoqing (1274–1276): She was a Grand Empress Dowager during a very difficult time, as the Song dynasty was facing invasion from the Mongols.
Yuan Dynasty
- Grand Empress Dowager Budashiri (1333–1338): She was an important figure during the reign of Emperor Huizong.
Ming Dynasty
- Grand Empress Dowager Zhang (1435–1442): She was influential during the reign of the Zhengtong Emperor.
- Grand Empress Dowager Zhou (1487–1504): She served during the reign of the Hongzhi Emperor.
Qing Dynasty
- Grand Empress Dowager Zhaosheng (1661–1688): Also known as Empress Xiaozhuangwen, she was a very wise and respected figure during the early years of the Kangxi Emperor's rule.
- Grand Empress Dowager Cixi (1908): She was one of the last Grand Empresses Dowager, serving briefly during the reign of the Xuantong Emperor (Puyi).
Japanese Grand Empresses Dowager
Japan also had Grand Empresses Dowager, similar to China. You can learn more about them in the article about the Empress of Japan.
See also
- Empress dowager
- Từ Dụ (1810–1902), a Vietnamese royal who was the only person ever to be given the title of Great Grand Empress Dowager.
