Gege (

Manchu The Manchus (; ) are a Tungusic East Asian ethnic group native to Manchuria in Northeast Asia. They are an officially recognized ethnic minority in China and the people from whom Manchuria derives its name. The Later Jin (1616–1636) and ...

: ; ) is the

word for an unmarried daughter. During the

Qing dynasty 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-speak ...

, it was the Manchu

style Style is a manner of doing or presenting things and may refer to: * Architectural style, the features that make a building or structure historically identifiable * Design, the process of creating something * Fashion, a prevailing mode of clothing ...

of an imperial-born

princess Princess is a regal rank and the feminine equivalent of prince (from Latin ''princeps'', meaning principal citizen). Most often, the term has been used for the consort of a prince, or for the daughter of a king or prince. Princess as a subst ...

of an emperor. Daughters of the all imperial princes above the rank of jiangjun also used the same title. When a Manchu prince had

concubines 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. Concubin ...

, the status of the wives, from highest to lowest, are the following: difujin (the official wife), cefujin (the first rank concubine), and gege. Historically, there were many gege, but few ever ascended to the status of cefujin. A gege could also be a daughter of imperial princess, even if she was promoted to gulun or heshuo princess. Only difujin and cefujin names are recorded in the imperial family lists of family members.

Princess

Before the establishment of the Qing dynasty, the daughters of khans were referred to as "gege" by personal names or the names of lands they lived after the marriage. After 1658, the personal names of imperial princesses were not recorded in imperial genealogy.All the titles for imperial princesses were conferred upon the marriage. Sometimes title could be granted before the marriage. The following titles were granted to the princesses born to the emperor: * Gulun Gongzhu (固伦公主), translated as "Gurun Princess", "State Princess" or "Princess of the First Rank", was granted to a daughter born to the Empress. The title included a 2-character honorifical name, sometimes a 4-character honorifical name, ex. Princess Shuzhe Duanxian of the First Rank,

Hong Taiji Hong Taiji (28 November 1592 – 21 September 1643), also rendered as Huang Taiji and sometimes referred to as Abahai in Western literature, also known by his temple name as the Emperor Taizong of Qing, was the second khan of the Later Jin ...

's seventh daughter born to

Empress Xiaozhuangwen Bumbutai ( mn, Бумбутай; mnc, m= ; zh, 布木布泰; 28 March 1613 – 27 January 1688), of the Khorchin Mongol Borjigit clan, was the consort of Hong Taiji. She was 21 years his junior. She was honoured as Empress Dowager Zhaosheng ...

. This title could also sometimes be granted to a favored daughter of the Emperor, for ex:

Princess Hexiao of the First Rank Princess Hexiao of the First Rank (2 February 1775 – 13 October 1823), personal name unknown,Gurun Princess Hexiao's personal name is unknown. The "Hexiao" is part of her title. The "Gurun", also part of her title, indicates that she is a p ...

(固倫和孝公主), the

Qianlong Emperor The Qianlong Emperor (25 September 17117 February 1799), also known by his temple name Emperor Gaozong of Qing, born Hongli, was the fifth Emperor of the Qing dynasty and the fourth Qing emperor to rule over China proper, reigning from 1735 t ...

's tenth daughter by his concubine,

Consort Dun Consort Dun (27 March 1746 – 6 March 1806), of the Manchu Plain White Banner Wang clan, was a consort of the Qianlong Emperor. She was 35 years his junior. Life Family background Consort Dun's personal name was not recorded in history. She ...

. * Heshuo Gongzhu (和硕公主), translated as "Heshuo Princess" or "Princess of the Second Rank", was granted to the daughter born to imperial consort. Prior to the formalization of the rank system, princesses born to imperial concubines could hold ranks lower than Princess of the Second Rank, but no lower than clanswoman (宗女). The title included the 2-character honorifical name. The title could also be granted to the daughter of an imperial prince adopted into the palace, for example: Princess Shushen of the Second Rank (和碩淑慎公主), the daughter of

Yunreng Yunreng (6 June 1674 – 27 January 1725), born Yinreng, was a Manchu prince of the Qing dynasty. He was the second among the Kangxi Emperor's sons to survive into adulthood and was designated as Crown Prince for two terms between 1675 and ...

who was adopted by the

Kangxi Emperor The Kangxi Emperor (4 May 1654– 20 December 1722), also known by his temple name Emperor Shengzu of Qing, born Xuanye, was the third emperor of the Qing dynasty, and the second Qing emperor to rule over China proper, reigning from 1661 to 1 ...

Other titles

Prior to the formalization of rank system, there existed several ranks typical for Ming dynasty. The following ranks could be granted solely to Emperor's daughter. The prefixes were included in the whole title. * Zhang Gongzhu (长公主), Elder Princess or Chief Princess, also translated as Princess Imperial, was granted to the eldest emperor's daughter or emperor's sister. The title was granted to the eldest dughter of Nurhaci and various daughters of Hong Taiji. * Dazhang Gongzhu (大长公主), Grand Princess Imperial or Princess Supreme, was granted to emperor's paternal aunt. The only to receive this titles is Princess Yongmu, the Kangxi Emperor's paternal aunt. ---- However, the title of gege was reserved for several mistresses who died before emperor's coronation and were not granted honorifical names. A gege could also be adopted into the imperial palace and raised by dowager consorts and the empress dowager if the emperor did not have enough daughters. The following titles were granted to princesses born to imperial clansmen: * Junzhu (郡主), translated as "Princess of a Commandery" or "Princess of the Third Rank", was granted to the daughter of a Prince of the First Rank born to his Princess Consort. A Junzhu can be promoted to Heshuo Gongzhu (和硕公主) or Gulun Gongzhu (固伦公主) in case of adoption to the imperial palace. The title did not include any honorifical names. In rare cases, an honorifical name will be given ex. Princess Daokexin of the Third Rank (道恪欣郡主),

Boguoduo Boguoduo（Chinese: , Manchu: ᠪᠣᡤᠣᡩᠠ; Abkai: Boggoda；1650-1723) was a member of Manchu Aisin Gioro clan, a grandson of Hong Taiji, the eldest son of the Prince Chengzeyu Shuose and a paternal cousin of the Kangxi Emperor. Life Bog ...

's second daughter adopted into the palace in childhood. In that case, the honorifical name could consist of a maximum of 4 characters. The title could also be granted to the daughter of a First Rank Princess. * Xianzhu (县主), translated a "Princess of County" or "Princess of the Fourth Rank", was granted to the daughter of a Prince of the Second Rank born to his Princess Consort, as well as the daughter of a shizi (the heir of a first rank prince). A Xianzhu could be promoted to Princess of the Third Rank, ex. because of marriage or in case of father's promotion. Can also be promoted to Heshuo Gongzhu and Gulun Gongzhu in case of adpotion. In rare cases, an honorifical name will be given, ez. Princess Zhenjie of the Fourth Rank (贞节县主), ninth daughter of

Mianqin Aisin-Gioro Mianqin (; 1768 – 1820) was Qing dynasty imperial prince and Qianlong Emperor's grandson. Life Mianqin was born as the eldest son of Yongxing and his primary consort, lady Fuca, niece of Empress Xiaoxianchun (daughter of empress ...

, Prince Cheng of the First Rank. This title could also be granted to the daughter of a Second Rank Princess. * Junjun (郡君), translated as "Lady of a Commandery" or "Lady of the First Rank", was granted to the daughter of a Prince of the Third Rank born to his primary consort or the daughter of a Prince of the First Rank born to his secondary consort, as well as daughter of zhangzi (heir of a junwang). A Junjun could be promoted to Xianzhu after she gets married. The title did not convey honorifical name. * Xianjun (县君), translated as "Lady of a County" or "Lady of the Second Rank", was granted to the daughter born to a Prince of the Fourth Rank or the daughter of a Prince of the Second Rank born to his secondary consort.The title did not convey honorifical name. * Xiangjun (乡君), translated as "Lady of a Village" or "Lady of the Third Rank", was granted to the daughter born to a duke with eight privilleges (mostly to fuguo duke) or daughter of a Prince of the Third Rank born to his secondary consort. The title did not convey honorifical name.

Stipends of princesses

The following stipends were received annually. Rarely, but princesses could be awarded a double annual stipend and be treated as imperial consorts, ex: Princess Hejing of the First Rank, who was treated as an Imperial Noble Consort and received a double annual stipend. Princesses, who committed a crime, could be stripped of her title and deprived of her stipend. * Gulun Gongzhu: ** 400 taels and 400 hu of rice and meal for princesses residing in the capital ** plus 1000 taels and 30 rolls of fabrics for ones living in vassal states * Heshuo Gongzhu: ** 300 taels and 300 hu of rice and meal for princesses residing in the capital ** plus 400 taels and 15 rolls of fabrics for ones living in vassal states * Junzhu: ** 160 taels and 160 hu of rice and meal for princesses residing in the capital ** plus 160 taels and 12 rolls of fabrics for ones living in vassal states * Xianzhu: ** 110 taels and 110 hu of rice and meal for princesses residing in a capital ** plus 110 taels and 10 rolls of fabrics for ones living in vassal states * Junjun: ** 60 taels and 60 hu of rice for those in the capital ** plus 60 taels and 8 rolls of fabrics for ones living in the vassal states * Xianjun: ** 50 taels and 50 hu of rice for those in the capital ** plus 50 taels and 6 rolls of fabrics for ones living in vassal states * Xianjun: ** 40 taels and 40 hu of rice for those in a capital ** plus 40 taels and 5 rolls of fabrics for ones living in the vassal states

Garments for imperial princesses

The described garments below were dictated by the "Illustrated Precendents for Ritual Paraphernalia of the Imperial Court" published in 1759. 1. Gulun Gongzhu *Crown, diadem, earrings, necklace and court robes befitting an imperial princess consort *Semiformal court robes befitting princess consort of the first rank 2. Heshuo Gongzhu * Court and semiformal robes befitting imperial princess consort * Crown and diadem befitting hereditary princess consort of the first rank 3. Junzhu *Court robes befitting imperial princess consort *Crown, diadem and semiformal robes befitting princess consort of the second rank 4. Xianzhu *Crown and diadem befitting princess consort of the third rank *Semiformal robes befitting princess consort of the second rank *Court robes befitting imperial princess consort 5. Junjun *Crown and diadem befitting princess consort of the fourth rank *Court and semiformal robes befitting princess consort of the third rank 6. Xianjun *Crown and diadem befitting duchess of the first rank *Court robes befitting princess consort of the third rank *Semiformal robes befitting princess consort of the fourth rank 7. Xianjun *Born to a Duke of the First Rank: **Crown and diadem befitting state duchess of the second rank **Court robes befitting princess consort of the third rank **Semiformal robes befitting duchess of the first rank *Born to a Duke of the Second Rank: **Crown befitting state duchess of the second rank; finial decorated with three pearls enclosed in golden ornaments and ruby **Diadem befitting state duchess of the second rank; decorated with three ruyi cloud shaped plaques with pearls and three strings of pearls connected with two lapis lazuli inlaid plaques hanging on the back **Court robes befitting princess consort of the third rank **Semiformal robes befitting state duchess of the first rank Gallery File:荣寿固伦公主旗装照.jpg, Princess Rongshou of the First Rank, Yixin's biological daughter adopted by Empress Dowager Cixi File:Princess Shouzang.jpg, Princess Shouzang of the First Rank, Daoguang Emperor's fifth daughter by Consort Xiang File:寿安寿恩两公主.jpg, Princesses Shou'en and Shou'an , daughters of the Daoguang Emperor in 1848 File:和硕和顺公主.jpg, Princess Heshun of the Second Rank, adopted daughter of the

Shunzhi Emperor The Shunzhi Emperor (15 March 1638 – 5 February 1661) was the second Emperor of China, emperor of the Qing dynasty of China, and the first Qing emperor to rule over China proper, reigning from 1644 to 1661. A Deliberative Council of Prince ...

Other persons being honoured as gege

Sumalagu Sumalagu (; originally Sumal, in Manchu ; 1615 – 24 October 1705) was a palace attendant of the Qing dynasty. She was a close confidante of Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang during the reign of the Shunzhi Emperor. Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang called her ...

, a confidant of

Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang Bumbutai ( mn, Бумбутай; mnc, m= ; zh, 布木布泰; 28 March 1613 – 27 January 1688), of the Khorchin Mongol Borjigit clan, was the consort of Hong Taiji. She was 21 years his junior. She was honoured as Empress Dowager Zhaosheng ...

and foster mother of several

's sons, including

Yuntao Aisin Gioro Yuntao (; 18 January 1686 - 1 September 1763) was a Qing dynasty imperial prince and the 12th son of the Kangxi Emperor. Yuntao was rather a crony of the Yongzheng Emperor and his adoptive brother, which helped him persist in the succ ...

, was addressed as "gege" by the Grand Empress Dowager. Lady Yehe Nara (1722-1793), wife of

Fuheng Fuheng (; ; my, ဖူဟင်း; 1720 – July 1770), courtesy name Chunhe (春和), was a Qing Dynasty official from the Manchu Fuca clan and the Bordered Yellow Banner of the Eight Banners, and was a younger brother of the Empress Xiaoxian ...

, a prominent general of the early Qianlong era, was an elder sister of

's Consort Shu. During her lifetime, she held a title of first rank

Mingfu Mingfu (; "noblewoman", "court lady") was granted to wives of officials, non-imperial aristocrats and collateral clanswomen. Also, mothers of imperial consorts were granted a title of according to the rank held by her daughter as well as sisters ...

, madam Fu Zhongyong (傅忠勇夫人). She was described as the most beautiful Manchu woman of Qing dynasty. She was posthumously honoured as "fujin" (title reserved for princesses consorts) as the mother of prince consort Fulong'an, Prince Jiayong of the Second Rank

Fuk'anggan Fuk'anggan ( Manchu:, Möllendorff: fuk'anggan; ; 1748–1796), courtesy name Yaolin (), was a Manchu noble and general of the Qing Dynasty. He was from the Fuca clan () and the Bordered Yellow Banner of the Eight Banners. Fuk'anggan's father ...

. Yu Derling (1885-1944) was Western-educated court lady of

Empress Dowager Cixi Empress Dowager Cixi ( ; mnc, Tsysi taiheo; formerly Romanization of Chinese, romanised as Empress Dowager T'zu-hsi; 29 November 1835 – 15 November 1908), of the Manchu people, Manchu Nara (clan)#Yehe Nara, Yehe Nara clan, was a Chinese nob ...

. She stayed in the imperial court from 1905 to 1907, when she married Thaddeus C. White. During her stay, she served as a translator when Empress Dowager received foreign guests. She developed a close relationship with empress dowager, as well as with another Qing dynasty princesses (6th daughter of

Yikuang Yikuang (Manchu: ''I-kuwang''; 16 November 1838 – 28 January 1917), formally known as Prince Qing (or Prince Ch'ing), was a Manchu noble and politician of the Qing dynasty. He served as the first Prime Minister of the Imperial Cabinet, a ...

) and princesses consorts ( Jingrong) interested in modernisation of the Qing empire. She was rewarded a ruyi scepter and a dragon robe befitting an imperial princess. The similar rewards received mother of Deling and her sister, Rongling. In contrast to earlier historiography, Deling was not a member of imperial clan, but claimed Manchu descent despite her family belonged to

Plain White Banner The Plain White Banner () was one of the Eight Banners of Manchu people, Manchu military and society during the Later Jin (1616–1636), Later Jin and Qing dynasty of China. It was one of the three "upper" banners (Plain Yellow Banner, Bordered Yel ...

Han forces. Moreover, Deling's books were published under the name of princess Der Ling.

References