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Gu Mei
Gu Mei (; 1619–1664), better known by her art name Gu Hengbo (), also known as Xu Mei and Xu Zhizhu after her marriage, was a Chinese courtesan, poet and painter. She received the title "Lady (furen)" from the early Qing court, and often addressed as "Lady Hengbo" in Qing writings. Gu was famous for her beauty and talent within painting and poetry and counted among the elite of courtesans alongside Dong Xiaowan, Bian Yujing and Liu Rushi. She was admired for her paintings of orchids, and published a collection of poems which was given good critics, although few of her works have survived. Life Gu Mei was born near Nanjing in 1619. At the beginning of the Chongzhen reign, Gu Mei became a courtesan in the Qinhuai River district of Nanjing. In her Tower Meilou in Qinhuai district in Nanjing, she hosted a famous literary salon, which counted Chen Liang, Qian Lucan and Mao Xiang among its guests. Yu Huai described Meilou (literally ''house of bewitchment'') as lavish and extr ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Gu (surname)
Gu () is a Chinese family name. Some places such as South Korea, and early immigrants from Wu-speaking region in China usually romanize this family name as "Koo" or "Ku". It is the 93rd name on the ''Hundred Family Surnames'' poem.K. S. Tom. 989(1989). Echoes from Old China: Life, Legends and Lore of the Middle Kingdom. University of Hawaii Press. . The family name ''Gù'' () is the most common pronounced "Gu", as well as the only one pronounced "Gù" (Mandarin 4th tone) and is ranked #88 on the list of top Chinese family names, according to the 2006 Chinese census (excluding Taiwan). History China Northern lineage The surname Gu ("顾") descends from the kings of the first hereditary dynasty in China, Xia dynasty. A branch of the royal family was given a domain or a subsidiary kingdom with this name near the capital of Xia dynasty. On the way of taking over from Xia dynasty, the second dynasty, Shang dynasty, first attacked and annexed the subsidiary kingdom with this surname ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Mao Xiang
Mao Zedong pronounced ; also romanised traditionally as Mao Tse-tung. (26 December 1893 – 9 September 1976), also known as Chairman Mao, was a Chinese communist revolutionary who was the founder of the People's Republic of China (PRC), which he led as the chairman of the Chinese Communist Party from the establishment of the PRC in 1949 until his death in 1976. Ideologically a Marxist–Leninist, his theories, military strategies, and political policies are collectively known as Maoism. Mao was the son of a prosperous peasant in Shaoshan, Hunan. He supported Chinese nationalism and had an anti-imperialist outlook early in his life, and was particularly influenced by the events of the Xinhai Revolution of 1911 and May Fourth Movement of 1919. He later adopted Marxism–Leninism while working at Peking University as a librarian and became a founding member of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), leading the Autumn Harvest Uprising in 1927. During the Chinese C ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Chen Yuanyuan
Chen Yuanyuan (1624–1681) was a Chinese courtesan who lived during the late Ming and early Qing dynasties. She was the concubine of Wu Sangui, the Ming dynasty general who surrendered Shanhai Pass to the Manchu-led Qing dynasty, and later rebelled in the Revolt of the Three Feudatories. Chen's life and relationship to Wu later became the subject of a number of popular stories and legends, many of them focusing on her supposed role in Wu's fateful decision to defect to the Qing, thereby sealing the fate of the Ming dynasty. In one story popularized during the Kangxi era, when the peasant Li Zicheng rebelled against the Ming dynasty, he captured Chen Yuanyuan. This enraged Wu Sangui and made him side with the Qing dynasty to crush Li Zicheng's forces. Biography Chen Yuanyuan was born to a peasant family in Jiangsu province, and on the death of her father, she became a courtesan. Chen became a leading figure in the Suzhou '' kunqu'' scene. An account praised her performance as t ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Kou Baimen
The Eight Beauties of Qinhuai (), also called the Eight Beauties of Jinling (), were eight famous courtesans during the Ming-Qing transition period who resided along the Qinhuai River in Nankin (now Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China). As well as possessing great beauty, they were all skilled in literature, poetry, fine arts, dancing and music. The name originates either from the 1693 book ''Banqiao Zaji'' () by Yu Huai (), or from the 19th century book ''Qinhuai Bayan Tuyong'' (), in which authors Zhang Jingqi () and Ye Yanlan () chose the eight most famous (in their view) courtesans of the period to be the subjects of the book. During the late Ming dynasty, elite courtesans challenged the gender stereotypes of Confucian values. In contrast to the women of the gentry, who were often discouraged from cultivating talent, lest it undermine their virtue as wives and mothers, the courtesans were educated in painting, poetry, and music. In addition, they owned property and participated i ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Li Xiangjun
Li Xiangjun (; 1624–1654) was a courtesan, singer, and musician during the Ming dynasty. Her life was dramatised in the play '' The Peach Blossom Fan''. Biography Li is referred to as Li Ji () or Li Xiang () in contemporary sources. To demonstrate respect for her, later scholars appended the character ''jun'' () to her name. Her courtesy name was Shanzhui (). No written records from the time Li lived record where she was born, but popular modern theories suggest that she was the daughter of an official, who was demoted and his family either killed or sold. Li was adopted by the owner of a brothel in Nanjing called Meixiang House (), whose surname she took. She was taught to dance, sing, paint, play music, and write poetry. Meixiang House was a favoured brothel of the literati and officials, with Li's adopted mother known for her generosity and chivalry. By age 13, Li was renowned for her singing and playing the pipa that her mistress charged 20 gold taels per guest to see ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Ma Xianglan
Ma Shouzhen (; c. 1548–1604), also known by her courtesy name Ma Xianglan (, meaning "Orchid of the Xiang River") and pen name Yuejiao ("Lunar Beauty"), was a Chinese courtesan and artist born in Nanjing during the late Ming dynasty (1550–1644). She was a renowned painter, poet, and composer. She received the name Xianglan because her most favored paintings were of orchids. Biography Ma was born in Nanjing, and she lived in the entertainment district along the Qinhuai River. As a matriarch in courtesan society, she encouraged the education and training of courtesans in the arts. In order to maintain her reputation as an elite courtesan, she only allowed educated men or young student lords within her residence. During the late Ming dynasty, elite courtesans challenged the gender stereotypes of Confucian values. In contrast to the women of the gentry, who were often discouraged from cultivating talent lest it undermine their virtue as wives and mothers, courtesans wer ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Qing
The Qing dynasty ( ), officially the Great Qing,, was a Manchu-led imperial dynasty of China and the last orthodox dynasty in Chinese history. It emerged from the Later Jin dynasty founded by the Jianzhou Jurchens, a Tungusic-speaking ethnic group who unified other Jurchen tribes to form a new "Manchu" ethnic identity. The dynasty was officially proclaimed in 1636 in Manchuria (modern-day Northeast China and Outer Manchuria). It seized control of Beijing in 1644, then later expanded its rule over the whole of China proper and Taiwan, and finally expanded into Inner Asia. The dynasty lasted until 1912 when it was overthrown in the Xinhai Revolution. In orthodox Chinese historiography, the Qing dynasty was preceded by the Ming dynasty and succeeded by the Republic of China. The multiethnic Qing dynasty lasted for almost three centuries and assembled the territorial base for modern China. It was the largest imperial dynasty in the history of China and in 1790 the fou ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Eight Beauties Of Qinhuai
The Eight Beauties of Qinhuai (), also called the Eight Beauties of Jinling (), were eight famous courtesans during the Ming-Qing transition period who resided along the Qinhuai River in Nankin (now Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China). As well as possessing great beauty, they were all skilled in literature, poetry, fine arts, dancing and music. The name originates either from the 1693 book ''Banqiao Zaji'' () by Yu Huai (), or from the 19th century book ''Qinhuai Bayan Tuyong'' (), in which authors Zhang Jingqi () and Ye Yanlan () chose the eight most famous (in their view) courtesans of the period to be the subjects of the book. During the late Ming dynasty, elite courtesans challenged the gender stereotypes of Confucian values. In contrast to the women of the gentry, who were often discouraged from cultivating talent, lest it undermine their virtue as wives and mothers, the courtesans were educated in painting, poetry, and music. In addition, they owned property and participated i ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Buddhist
Buddhism ( , ), also known as Buddha Dharma and Dharmavinaya (), is an Indian religion or philosophical tradition based on teachings attributed to the Buddha. It originated in northern India as a -movement in the 5th century BCE, and gradually spread throughout much of Asia via the Silk Road. It is the world's fourth-largest religion, with over 520 million followers (Buddhists) who comprise seven percent of the global population. The Buddha taught the Middle Way, a path of spiritual development that avoids both extreme asceticism and hedonism. It aims at liberation from clinging and craving to things which are impermanent (), incapable of satisfying ('), and without a lasting essence (), ending the cycle of death and rebirth (). A summary of this path is expressed in the Noble Eightfold Path, a training of the mind with observance of Buddhist ethics and meditation. Other widely observed practices include: monasticism; " taking refuge" in the Buddha, the , and th ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Zhu Yizun
Zhu Yizun (; 1629–1709) was an author and poet during the Qing dynasty. In his early literary career, Zhu was recognized for his talent and helped by Gong Dingzi.Zhang, 82 Zhu became the founder of the Zhexi school of ''ci'' poetry (song lyrics). Zhu Yizun was particularly influenced in this regard by the work of the Southern Song ''ci'' of Jiang Kui and Zhang Yan. Ming Sizong Chongzhen two years (1629) August 21 (October 7), Zhu Yizun was born in Jiaxing Jiaxing (), alternately romanized as Kashing, is a prefecture-level city in northern Zhejiang province, China. Lying on the Grand Canal of China, Jiaxing borders Hangzhou to the southwest, Huzhou to the west, Shanghai to the northeast, and the ... Biyi Fang Works Among other works, Zhu Yizun's ''Jingzhiju qinqu'' collection of ''ci'' (song lyric) poetry survives. The ''Jingzhiju qinqu'' describes his illicit love for his younger sister-in-law, Shouchang. It has been considered to be an important mile-stone in the devel ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Yan Ermei
Yan may refer to: Chinese states * Yan (state) (11th century – 222 BC), a major state in northern China during the Zhou dynasty * Yan (Han dynasty kingdom), first appearing in 206 BC * Yan (Three Kingdoms kingdom), officially claimed independence in 237 but considered to have ruled since 190 * Former Yan (337–370) * Later Yan (384–407) * Yan (An–Shi) (756–763), a rebel state founded by the An-Shi Rebellion * Yan (Five Dynasties period) (911–913) Names * Yan (surname), romanization for several Chinese surnames * Yan, a Cantonese transcription of surname Zhen (甄) * Yan, a transliteration of the name "Ян" (Jan) from the Russian language People * Yan Emperor, a legendary emperor of ancient China * Yan, Marquis of Tian (died c. 370 BC), 4th-century BC ruler of the state of Qi * Yan (musician) or Jan Scott Wilkinson, English singer-songwriter * Jacob Mikhailovich Gordin or Yan (1853–1909), Ukrainian-American Yiddish-language playwright * Yan Zhu, software devel ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Concubine
Concubinage is an interpersonal and sexual relationship between a man and a woman in which the couple does not want, or cannot enter into a full marriage. Concubinage and marriage are often regarded as similar but mutually exclusive. Concubinage was a formal and institutionalized practice in China until the 20th century that upheld concubines' rights and obligations. A concubine could be freeborn or of slave origin, and their experience could vary tremendously according to their masters' whim. During the Mongol conquests, both foreign royals and captured women were taken as concubines. Concubinage was also common in Meiji Japan as a status symbol, and in Indian society, where the intermingling of castes and religions was frowned upon and a taboo, and concubinage could be practiced with women with whom marriage was considered undesirable, such as those from a lower caste and Muslim women who wouldn't be accepted in a Hindu household and Hindu women who wouldn't be accepted in ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
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