Abstract
This paper attempts to present a preliminary analysis of the ideas current during the Han period (206 B.C. - A.D. 220), whereby women were considered to be causes of natural disasters.
According to traditional Chinese beliefs, women, especially palace women, were dangerous and harmful if they possessed beauty or acquired power. Pretty women could draw the emperors' attention and concern away from state affairs, while women who acquired political power through various channels could exert undesirable influence on the business of government.
During the Han dynasty, views of women as negative and dangerous gained new supportive ground. This is due to Han intellectuals' habit of interpreting natural portents and disasters as indicators of erroneous rule or undesirable behaviours. They acted as messengers of the Holy Heavens by making use of these signals to urge the emperors to improve their governing, otherwise, they said, disastrous events may continue to occur. Likewise, Han scholars also accused several palace women of causing disasters such as earthquakes, solar-eclipses, floods, etc. Instead of accepting their explanation, we may try to understand their basic standpoint. That is, according to their philosophy, allowing women to participate in political affairs was undersirable and unhealthy, therefore they tried to impose negative comments on favorite concubines as well as emperess-dowagers who were acting as regents of children emperors.
Doubtlessly, Han scholars also accused male governors and officials for causing disastrous events, but they followed a system of explanation. Whereas several types of disasters and portents would mainly be considered as the faults of yang (male), others would more likely be considered as the faults of yin (female). Nevertheless, if we bear in mind the limited number of women active in politics, we should be aware of the relatively high frequency of victimizing women as causes of disasters.
This way of expressing political ideas may be better understood in a wider cultural context. Han empire was the longest united dynasty in ancient China, the power of emperors had been considerably strengthened, paving the way to despotism. Under these cricumstances, frustrated scholars explored other means to evaluate the government, portents and disasters hence became useful weapons. In no way should we believe their reasoning, but we may regard these ideas as parts of Han political thought.
According to traditional Chinese beliefs, women, especially palace women, were dangerous and harmful if they possessed beauty or acquired power. Pretty women could draw the emperors' attention and concern away from state affairs, while women who acquired political power through various channels could exert undesirable influence on the business of government.
During the Han dynasty, views of women as negative and dangerous gained new supportive ground. This is due to Han intellectuals' habit of interpreting natural portents and disasters as indicators of erroneous rule or undesirable behaviours. They acted as messengers of the Holy Heavens by making use of these signals to urge the emperors to improve their governing, otherwise, they said, disastrous events may continue to occur. Likewise, Han scholars also accused several palace women of causing disasters such as earthquakes, solar-eclipses, floods, etc. Instead of accepting their explanation, we may try to understand their basic standpoint. That is, according to their philosophy, allowing women to participate in political affairs was undersirable and unhealthy, therefore they tried to impose negative comments on favorite concubines as well as emperess-dowagers who were acting as regents of children emperors.
Doubtlessly, Han scholars also accused male governors and officials for causing disastrous events, but they followed a system of explanation. Whereas several types of disasters and portents would mainly be considered as the faults of yang (male), others would more likely be considered as the faults of yin (female). Nevertheless, if we bear in mind the limited number of women active in politics, we should be aware of the relatively high frequency of victimizing women as causes of disasters.
This way of expressing political ideas may be better understood in a wider cultural context. Han empire was the longest united dynasty in ancient China, the power of emperors had been considerably strengthened, paving the way to despotism. Under these cricumstances, frustrated scholars explored other means to evaluate the government, portents and disasters hence became useful weapons. In no way should we believe their reasoning, but we may regard these ideas as parts of Han political thought.
| Translated title of the contribution | Han Interpretation of Natural Disasters as Warning Signals of Non-prescribed Female Deeds |
|---|---|
| Original language | Chinese (Traditional) |
| Pages (from-to) | 79-103 |
| Number of pages | 25 |
| Journal | 漢學研究 |
| Volume | 9 |
| Issue number | 2 |
| Publication status | Published - Dec 1991 |