Wu empress biography for kids
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Empress Wu Zetian wass the first and only female emperor of Imperial China. She ruled for 15 years during the Tang Dynasty and was one of China’s most impactful and divisive emperors.
See the fact file below for more information on Empress Wu, or you can download our 29-page Empress Wu worksheet pack to utilize within the classroom or home environment.
Key Facts & Information
BACKGROUND AND EARLY LIFE
- Wu Zhao was born on February 17, 624 CE, to a wealthy family in Wenshi County, Shanxi Province. She was the daughter of a Tang Dynasty chancellor, Wu Shiyue.
- Her father encouraged Wu to read and write and develop intellectual skills at a very young age. Wu also learned to play music, write poetry, and give public speeches.
- In 638 CE, she was chosen as one of Emperor Taizong’s concubines when she was 14 years old. Taizong gave her the name ‘Mei-Niang,’ which means ‘beautiful girl’. Her responsibilities ranged from daily tasks like laundry to more specialized skills such as poetry reading and music playing.
- Taizong was impressed with Wu’s intelligence and hired her as his secretary, where she was constantly involved in high-level state affairs. She was given the title of cairen; the 5th ranked imperial consort.
- Many young men at court were drawn to her, including Prince Li Zhi, Taizong’s son.
- After Taizong died in 649 CE, his concubines were sent to Ganye Temple and had to shave their heads, including Wu. This was a standard procedure after an emperor’s death, where his concubines were compelled to leave t
- Wu zetian children
- Tang dynasty (by marriage)
- Wu Zhou dynasty (by establishment)
Wu Zetian facts for kids
For other uses, see Wu Zetian (disambiguation).
"Empress Wu" redirects here. For other uses, see Empress Wu (disambiguation).
Quick facts for kids Wu Zetian武則天 | |||||||||||||||||
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Wu Zetian depicted wearing 18th century Ming dynasty clothing taken from An 18th century album of portraits of 86 emperors of China, with Chinese historical notes. (British Library, shelfmark Or. 2231) | |||||||||||||||||
| Empress regnant of China | |||||||||||||||||
| Reign | 16 October 690 – 21 February 705 | ||||||||||||||||
| Coronation | 16 October 690 | ||||||||||||||||
| Predecessor | Dynasty established (Emperor Ruizong as Emperor of the Tang Dynasty) | ||||||||||||||||
| Successor | Dynasty abolished (Emperor Zhongzong as Emperor of the Tang dynasty) | ||||||||||||||||
| Empress dowager of China | |||||||||||||||||
| Tenure | 27 December 683 – 16 October 690 | ||||||||||||||||
| Empress consort of China | |||||||||||||||||
| Tenure | 22 November 655 – 27 December 683 | ||||||||||||||||
| Born | (624-02-17)17 February 624 Lizhou, Tang China | ||||||||||||||||
| Died | 16 December 705(705-12-16) (aged 81) Luoyang, Tang China | ||||||||||||||||
| Burial | Qianling Mausoleum | ||||||||||||||||
| Spouse | |||||||||||||||||
| Issue | |||||||||||||||||
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| House | Wǔ (武) | ||||||||||||||||
| Dynasty | |||||||||||||||||
| Father | Wu Shiyue | ||||||||||||||||
| Mother | Lady Yang | ||||||||||||||||
| Religion | Buddhism | ||||||||||||||||
Wu Zetian (17 February 624 – 16 December 705), personal name Wu Zhao, was the first and only female emperor in Chinese history, and de facto ruler of the Tang dynasty from 665 to 705, ruling first through others and then (from 690) in her own right. From 665 to 690, she was first empress consort o Empress of China from 690 to 705 For other uses, see Wu Zetian (disambiguation). "Empress Wu" redirects here. For other uses, see Empress Wu (disambiguation). "Chao Wu" redirects here. For the Maryland politician, see Chao Wu (politician). Song dynasty portrait after the painting by Zhang Xuan Qianling Mausoleum Wu Zetian (17 February 624 – 16 December 705), personal name Wu Zhao, was Empress of China from 660 to 705, ruling first through others and later in her own right. She ruled as empress consort through her husband Emperor Gaozong and later as empress dowager through her sons Emperors Zhongzong and Ruizong, from 660 to 690. She subsequently founded and ruled as Empress Regnant of the Wu Zhou dynasty of China from 690 to 705. She was the only female sovereign in the history of China widely regarded as legitimate. Under her 45-year reign, China grew larger, becoming one of the great powers of the world, its culture and economy were revitalized, and corruption in the court was reduced. She was eventually removed from power during a coup and died a few months later. In early life, Wu was the concubine of Emperor Taizong. After his death, she married his .Wu Zetian
Wu Zetian
武則天Reign 16 October 690 – 21 February 705 Coronation 16 October 690 Predecessor Dynasty established
(Emperor Ruizong as emperor of the Tang dynasty)Successor Dynasty abolished
(Emperor Zhongzong restored as emperor of the Tang dynasty)Tenure 27 December 683 – 16 October 690 Tenure 22 November 655 – 27 December 683 Born (624-02-17)17 February 624
Lizhou, Tang ChinaDied 16 December 705(705-12-16) (aged 81)
Luoyang, Tang ChinaBurial Spouse Issue House Wu (武) Dynasty Father Wu Shiyue Mother Lady Yang Religion Buddhism