Yang Guifei facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Imperial Consort Yang 楊貴妃
Yang Guifei Leaving the Bath by Gu Jianlong (1606–after 1689)
Born	Yang Yuhuan (楊玉環) 719 Yongle, China
Died	15 July 756(756-07-15) (aged 37) Mawei Station, Xianyang, Shaanxi, China
Burial	Mawei Station, Xianyang, Shaanxi (grave later not excavated)
Spouse	Li Mao, Prince of Shou Emperor Xuanzong of Tang
Father	Yang Xuanyan
Mother	Lady of Liang

Yang Yuhuan (Chinese: 楊玉環; 719 – 15 July 756) was a famous woman in ancient China. She is often known as Yang Guifei (楊貴妃). Guifei was the highest rank for royal wives during her time. She was the favorite wife of Emperor Xuanzong of Tang in his later years. Yang Guifei is remembered as one of the Four Great Beauties of ancient China.

Yang Guifei's Early Life

Yang Yuhuan was born in 719, during the Tang dynasty. This was early in the rule of Emperor Xuanzong of Tang. Her family was from Huayin, which is now in Weinan, Shaanxi. Later, her family moved to Yongle, in modern Yuncheng, Shanxi.

Her father, Yang Xuanyan, worked as a census official. He died when Yang Yuhuan was still young. Because of this, her uncle, Yang Xuanjiao, raised her. Her uncle was a government official in Luoyang. Yang Yuhuan had three older sisters, but no brothers.

Becoming a Princess and a Nun

In 733, when Yang Yuhuan was 14 years old, she married Li Mao. Li Mao was the Prince of Shou. He was the son of Emperor Xuanzong and his wife, Consort Wu. So, Yang Yuhuan became known as the Princess of Shou.

In 737, Consort Wu, the Emperor's favorite wife, died. Emperor Xuanzong was very sad. After some time, Emperor Xuanzong became interested in Princess Yang. He decided he wanted her to be his own wife. To make this possible, she first became a Taoist nun for a short time. Her nun name was Taizhen. She stayed in the palace as a nun. Later, Emperor Xuanzong gave his son, Li Mao, a new wife. Then, Yang Yuhuan officially became an imperial consort. She quickly became the Emperor's most beloved wife.

Rise to Power as Imperial Consort

In 745, Yang Yuhuan was officially made an imperial consort. She received the special rank of Guifei. This rank was even higher than any other imperial wife. Emperor Xuanzong also honored her family. He gave special titles to her deceased father and her mother.

Her uncle and cousins also received important jobs. Her three older sisters were given titles as Ladies of Han, Guo, and Qin. It was said that even the Emperor's own sister, Princess Yuzhen, showed respect to Yang Guifei's sisters. Everyone in the palace treated Yang Guifei like an empress. They bowed to her as if she was the most powerful woman in the land. They called her "Lady," a special title used for the empress.

When a powerful official named Li Linfu died, Yang Guozhong became the new chancellor. He was Yang Guifei's cousin.

The An Lushan Rebellion and Her Death

Yang Guozhong and a general named An Lushan did not get along. Yang Guozhong often caused trouble for An Lushan. This made An Lushan very angry.

In 755, An Lushan started a huge rebellion. His army marched towards the capital city. People believed that Yang Guozhong's actions had caused the rebellion. To calm the people, Emperor Xuanzong thought about giving his throne to his son, Li Heng. But Yang Guozhong did not like Li Heng. He convinced Yang Guifei and her sisters to speak against this idea. So, Emperor Xuanzong did not give up his throne yet.

In 756, An Lushan's forces defeated the imperial army. The last major defense, Tong Pass, fell. The situation became very dangerous. Yang Guozhong suggested that the Emperor and his family flee to Chengdu. On July 14, Emperor Xuanzong, Yang Guifei, her family, and other close people secretly left the capital. They headed towards Chengdu.

On July 15, the group reached Mawei Courier Station. The imperial guards were hungry and angry at Yang Guozhong. They believed he was to blame for the disaster. The soldiers suddenly declared that Yang Guozhong was planning treason. They killed Yang Guozhong and many of his family members, including Yang Guifei's sisters.

The soldiers then surrounded Emperor Xuanzong's pavilion. They refused to leave. The Emperor sent his trusted helper, Gao Lishi, to ask General Chen Xuanli for advice. Chen told the Emperor that he must put Consort Yang to death. At first, the Emperor refused. But after others agreed with Chen, the Emperor finally gave in. He had Gao Lishi take Yang Guifei to a Buddhist shrine. There, she was forced to end her life. She was buried at Mawei without a coffin.

In 757, Emperor Suzong, who was now the new emperor, took back the capital. He welcomed his father, the retired Emperor Xuanzong, back to the city. On his way back, Emperor Xuanzong passed through Mawei. He wanted to find Yang Guifei's body and rebury her with honor. An official advised against it, fearing the guards might rebel again. However, Emperor Xuanzong secretly sent people to rebury her in a coffin. When he returned to the capital, he had a painter create a picture of Yang Guifei. He often went to see this painting.

Gallery

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  Imperial Consort Yang is teaching a parrot to chant sutras, Liao dynasty (907–1125).

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  Detail showing Yang Guifei mounting a horse, from 1250 to 1300.

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  Painting of Hosoda Eishi titled "The Chinese beauty Yang Guifei". Edo period, about AD 1800–20.

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  The Chinese emperor Minghuang and his concubine Yang Guifei, with attendants on a terrace. By Kanō Eitoku (1543–1590).

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  Yang Guifei. By Takaku Aigai, 1821.

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  Yang Guifei (Yôkihi) Viewing Cherry Blossoms from Verandah. Edo period, circa 1823.

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  Minghuang and Yang Guifei, from Shaanxi

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  Tomb of Yang Guifei

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  Yang Guifei in a Flower Garden, woodblock print with colors

See also

In Spanish: Yang Guifei para niños

• Huaqing Pool
• Li Bai