Princess Jinyang (), born Li Mingda (); (633– 644) was a princess of the

Tang Dynasty The Tang dynasty (, ; zh, t= ), or Tang Empire, was an Dynasties in Chinese history, imperial dynasty of China that ruled from 618 to 907 AD, with an Zhou dynasty (690–705), interregnum between 690 and 705. It was preceded by the Sui dyn ...

. She was considered as the only princess of China who was raised by an emperor.

Biography

Li Mingda was the nineteenth daughter of

Emperor Taizong of Tang Emperor Taizong of Tang (28January 59810July 649), previously Prince of Qin, personal name Li Shimin, was the second emperor of the Tang dynasty of China, ruling from 626 to 649. He is traditionally regarded as a co-founder of the dynasty ...

and the third daughter of

Empress Zhangsun Empress Zhangsun (長孫皇后, personal name unknown, presumably Wugou (無垢) (15 March 601 – 28 July 636), formally Empress Wendeshunsheng (文德順聖皇后, literally "the civil, virtuous, serene, and holy empress") or, in short, Empre ...

. While Empress Zhangsun died on July 28, 636. Li Mingda did not know anything about her mother's death as a toddler. While she grew up after years, she knew the truth, and often felt sad about that. She and her brother

Li Zhi Li Zhi may refer to: *Emperor Gaozong of Tang (628–683), named Li Zhi, Emperor of China *Li Ye (mathematician) (1192–1279), Chinese mathematician and scholar, birth name Li Zhi *Li Zhi (philosopher) (1527–1602), Chinese philosopher from the M ...

were both raised by father Emperor Taizong. When Li Zhi was 14, Li Mingda felt sad about that because the siblings were grown up together, Li Zhi was a grown adult then, he needed to go to his manor, and she did not want to separate with him. Li Mingda was good at

calligraphy Calligraphy (from el, link=y, καλλιγραφία) is a visual art related to writing. It is the design and execution of lettering with a pen, ink brush, or other writing instrument. Contemporary calligraphic practice can be defined as "t ...

. Once she made a replica of her father's work, no one could distinguish which was by her and which is Taizong's original work. Li Mingda has a similar personality as Empress Zhangsun. She was smart and tactful. While Taizong was angry, she always comfort him. Li Mingda died at the age 12. When she died, Taizong was extremely sad, due to the loss of his favorite daughter.《舊唐書·諸帝公主傳》：「朕渠不知悲愛無益？而不能已，我亦不知其所以然。」 Li Mingda was buried beside a temple.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Jinyang, Princess 633 births 644 deaths Tang dynasty princesses 7th-century Chinese women 7th-century Chinese people Emperor Taizong of Tang Daughters of emperors Royalty and nobility who died as children