Empire of Nine Heavens---Evolution of the Chinese Imperial Harem System

Author: None
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2007-02-12
Features: The entire feudal society is a complex unity. Contemporary historians have conducted in-depth research on the entire large system and its subsystems, yet the court, which occupies a very important position in the feudal society, has not been systematically studied by more scholars. The purpose of my research on this topic is to address this deficiency. Through the study, I hope to further deepen the understanding of feudal autocracy and accordingly summarize the impact of court politics on the rise and fall of feudal dynasties, as well as relevant historical lessons. Additionally, since the Xinhai Revolution, there have been many erroneous rumors, novels, films, dramas, and TV programs about court etiquette, concubines, and the titles of palace personnel. It is also necessary to correct the record through the study of the rear court system and provide people with accurate historical knowledge. Through the publication of this book, I hope it can play a role in supplementing and filling gaps in the study of ancient Chinese court political systems. —Zhu Ziyuan
This book follows the principle of focusing on the recent and being brief about the distant, using abundant and detailed materials and fluent, vivid language to discuss the operation and evolution of the Chinese rear court system. It systematically examines and analyzes the rear court system from the Three Dynasties to the Ming and Qing dynasties, spanning over four thousand years. The content covers the selection and establishment of empresses in each dynasty, the criteria for the emperor's marriage, the titles, ranks, and salaries of concubines, the establishment of female officials, and the functions of rear court administrative institutions. It also includes the rituals of transportation, ceremonial processions, and daily life in the rear court, as well as the rituals of marriage, enthronement, funeral, and posthumous titles. Furthermore, it provides a thorough discussion of the origins and fates of concubines and palace personnel, the mysterious and intricate behind-the-scenes politics in the palace, and the struggles for favor and power among them. The content nearly covers all major issues in the emperor's rear court.
From the perspective of the history of ancient Chinese political institutions and the characteristics of imperial power politics, the author recognizes and grasps the essence and development patterns of the rear court system. It closely links the rear court system with the monarchical autocratic regime of integrating the family and the state for analysis, hoping to summarize the impact of court politics on the rise and fall of feudal dynasties, thereby inspiring readers to make more rational considerations when engaging with "court culture."