This week we look at the Tang dynasty Empress Wu Zetian, the only woman from Chinese history to rule China as an emperor in her own name.

Chinese names used in this episode:

Wu Zetian  武则天  The only empress in China to rule in her own name

Wu Zhao 武曌  Wu Zetian’s personal name

Taiyuan 太原  Capital of Shanxi Province

Li Shimin 李世民 Name of the 2nd Tang Dynasty emperor who reigned as Tang Taizong 唐太宗

Guifei 贵妃 1st Rank 1st level concubine

Shufei 淑妃 1st Rank 2nd level Concubine

Defei 德妃 1st Rank 3rd level Concubine

Xianfei 贤妃 1st rank 4th level Concubine

Wu Meiniang 武媚娘 Other name of Wu Zetian

Li Zhi 李治 Son of Emperor Taizong. Li Zhi reigned as Emperor Gaozong 高宗

Ganye Temple 感业寺 Temple where Wu Zetian was sent to become a nun

Xiao Shufei  蕭淑妃 Concubine of Gaozong who was a rival of Wu Zetian

Empress Wang 王皇后 Wife and Empress of Tang Gaozong 唐高宗

Li Hong 李弘 5th son of Gaozong, 1st son with Wu Zetian. Became Emperor Xiaojing 孝敬皇帝

Li Xian 李顯  2nd son of Gaozong and Wu Zetian. Later the Zongzong Emperor 中宗皇帝

Zaixiang 宰相 Chancellor (sort of like a prime minister)

Ersheng 二圣 The Two Sages (how Gaozong and Wu Zetian were referred to)

Shunsheng Huanghou 順聖皇后 Posthumous name given to Wu Zetian