Queen Zhou the Elder facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Zhou Ehuang |
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| Queen Zhaohui of (Southern) Tang | |||||||||
| Queen consort of Southern Tang | |||||||||
| Tenure | 961–964 | ||||||||
| Predecessor | Empress Zhong | ||||||||
| Successor | Queen Zhou the Younger | ||||||||
| Born | 936 or early 937 likely modern Yangzhou, Jiangsu |
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| Died | 8 December 964 modern Nanjing, Jiangsu |
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| Burial | 14 February 965 Yi Mausoleum (懿陵), suspected to be the site discovered in 2010 in modern Jiangning District, Nanjing, Jiangsu |
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| Spouse | Li Yu | ||||||||
| Issue Detail |
Sons Li Zhongyu 李仲寓, 958-994, Li Zhongxuan 李仲宣, 961-964 | ||||||||
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| Father | Zhou Zong | ||||||||
Zhou Ehuang (born around 936, died December 8, 964) was a queen in ancient China. She was known as Queen Zhaohui after her death. She was the wife of Li Yu, who was the third and last ruler of the Southern Tang state. This state existed during a time in Chinese history called the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period.
People often called her Queen Zhou the Elder. This helped tell her apart from her younger sister, who also became Li Yu's queen later. Zhou Ehuang was very talented in music, especially playing the pipa. Many believe she was the inspiration for many of Li Yu's famous love poems.
Contents
Early Life and Talents
Zhou Ehuang was the daughter of Zhou Zong. Her father was an important official who worked for Emperor Yuanzong. She had a younger sister named Zhou Jiamin. Her sister was 14 years younger than her.
Zhou Ehuang loved to learn. She studied history books and was very good at music. She also enjoyed playing xiangqi, which is a Chinese board game similar to chess.
A Gifted Musician
Zhou Ehuang was an amazing musician. She played the pipa, a traditional Chinese instrument, for Emperor Li Jing on his birthday. The emperor was so impressed that he gave her a pipa as a special gift.
Later, Emperor Li Jing arranged for her to marry his son, Li Yu. At that time, Li Yu was known as the Prince of Wu.
Life as Queen
After Emperor Li Jing passed away, his son Li Yu became the new emperor. When Li Yu became emperor, he honored Zhou Ehuang by making her his queen. Her younger sister, Zhou Jiamin, was only 5 years old at the time. She was allowed to visit the palace often.
Family Life and Sadness
As queen, Zhou Ehuang gave birth to two sons. Their names were Li Chongyu and Li Chongxuan. Sadly, her younger son, Li Chongxuan, died at a very young age. He was playing near a statue when a lamp fell and scared him. He was only three years old when he passed away from the shock.
Queen Zhou was heartbroken by her son's death. She became very ill because of her sadness. She talked to her husband, Li Yu, about their son, and he was also very sad.
Later Days and Legacy
During her final days, Queen Zhou heard some upsetting news. Her husband, Li Yu, had grown close to her younger sister, who was 14 at the time. Queen Zhou was deeply saddened by this and passed away.
Li Yu felt great regret after her death. He wrote a beautiful poem to honor her memory. Soon after, Queen Zhou's mother-in-law, Empress Dowager Zhong, also became ill and died.
After both funerals, Queen Zhou's younger sister, Jiamin, became Li Yu's new queen. She is known in history as Queen Zhou the Younger. She stayed with Li Yu until his own death.
