Concubinage in China traditionally resembled marriage in that concubines were recognized sexual partners of a man and were expected to bear children for him. Unofficial concubines (Chinese: 婢妾; pinyin: bì qiè) were of lower status, and their children were considered illegitimate.

The empress' children was called legitimate heir (嫡子, dízǐ), on which the princes that was bore by the empress have the higher chance of inheriting the throne; while the children of the other imperial consorts were called imperial concubine child (庶子, shùzǐ).

Concubines in China were, in a nutshell, mistresses. In ancient China, polygamy was considered normal, especially for the rich. Let's explore their history, training, and life.

Concubine in China have traditionally been mistresses of rich and powerful men. Concubinage has a long history and was common through the early 20th century. Emperors and warlords often had numerous concubines as well as wives. Their successors were often not the first son from their first wife but sometimes their most able son from a concubine.

Jul 2, 2018 · Some Ming emperors had upwards of 9,000 concubines, many of whom had been kidnapped from their homes and were forbidden to leave their gilded prison except when they were called to the emperor’s bed.

Mar 28, 2023 · In the Imperial China which lasted until the Communist Revolution of 1949, a man could have only one wife, but as many concubines as he could afford to house, clothe and feed. Frequently, in Chinese history (and that of other nations), a man's wealth and power were partly judged by the number of concubines he kept and how they lived.

Oct 7, 2023 · Why do the lives of empresses and concubines in the imperial harems remain ever so intriguing to modern audiences? What are some of the tragic tales that most people have not even heard of? From Imperial Consort Yang in the Tang Dynasty (618–906) to Consort Zhen in the Qing Dynasty (1644–1912), we delve into the less-than-glamorous lives of ...

Jul 12, 2023 · The life of a concubine in the forbidden city was as dangerous as lavish, as forced as frivolous, and as punishable as pleasurable. How lonely and depressing were their lives? What cruel selection process did they have to go through?

This article explores concubinage, a widespread form of quasi-marriage in Qing China (1644–1911), and its relationship with motherhood and social mobility. By examining legal codes and court records, this research challenges the academic paradigm,

Aug 28, 2018 · While imperial consorts vying for affection and power make juicy plots, several of them have played pivotal roles in China’s history. Here are five concubines whose relationships and exploits...