Xi Shi (西施, 506 BC – ?)
Xi Shi (Chinese: 西施; pinyin: Xī Shī, 506 BC – ?) was one of the renowned Four Beauties of ancient China. She was said to have lived during the end of Spring and Autumn Period in Zhuji, the capital of the ancient State of Yue. Her name was Shi Yiguang (施夷光).[1]
Xi Shi's beauty was said to be so extreme that while leaning over a balcony to look at the fish in the pond, the fish would be so dazzled that they forgot to swim and gradually sunk away from the surface. This description serves as the first two characters of the Chinese idiom 沉魚落雁, 閉月羞花 (pinyin: chényú luòyàn, bìyuè xiūhuā), which is used to compliment someone's beauty.
The Story of Xi Shi
King Goujian of Yue, king of Yue, was once imprisoned after a defeat in a war by King Fuchai of Wu, king of the State of Wu. The state of Yue later became a tributary to Wu. Secretly planning his revenge, Goujian's minister Wen Zhong suggested training beautiful women and offering them to Fuchai as a tribute (knowing Fuchai could not resist beautiful women). His other minister, Fan Li, found Xi Shi and Zheng Dan, and gifted them to Fuchai in 490 BC.
Bewitched by the beauty and kindness of Xi Shi and Zheng Dan, Fuchai forgot all about his state affairs and at their instigation, killed his best advisor, the great general Wu Zixu. Fuchai even built Guanwa Palace (Palace of Beautiful Women) in an imperial park on the slope of Lingyan Hill, about 15 kilometres (9.3 mi) west of Suzhou. The strength of Wu dwindled, and in 473 BC Goujian launched his strike and put the Wu army to full rout. King Fuchai lamented that he should have listened to Wu Zixu, and then committed suicide.
In the legend, after the fall of Wu, Fan Li retired from his ministerial post and lived with Xi Shi on a fishing boat, roaming like fairies in the misty wilderness of Taihu Lake, and no one saw them ever again. This is according to Yuan Kang's Yue Jueshu 《越绝书》. Another version, according to Mozi, is that Xi Shi eventually died from drowning in the river. (西施之沈，其美也)
Influence
She is remembered by the Xi Shi Temple, which lies at the foot of the Zhu Luo Hill (苎萝)in the southern part of the city, on the banks of the Huansha River.
The West Lake in Hangzhou is said to be the incarnation of Xi Shi, hence it is also called Xizi Lake, Xizi being another name for Xi Shi, meaning Lady Xi. In his famous work of song poetry, Drinks at West Lake through Sunshine and Rain (飲湖上初睛居雨), renowned scholar Su Dongpo compared Xi Shi's beauty to the West Lake.
Li Bai of the Tang dynasty wrote a poem about Xi Shi.
Imogen Heap released a song in 2012 titled Xizi She Knows after spending time in Hangzhou, China.
The Shih Tzu dog, among other stories, is believed to be an attempt to make a dog as beautiful as Xi Shi.
Other references
There is another well-known figure of unknown origin, probably fictional and parodical, named Dong Shi (東施). The "Dong" in her name means "east" contrasting to Xi Shi's "Xi", which means "west". Apart from her name, she is said to be the exact opposite of Xi Shi in being extremely ugly. This in turn has created the saying "Dong Shi imitates a frown" (东施效颦), whereas Dongshi, being ugly and thus inviting no suitor, emphasized her own ugliness while imitating Xishi's look of sexualized frailty and suffering. The saying has taken on a meaning to signify one's vain attempt imitating another only to emphasize one's own weaknesses.
A tongue twister that works best in Mandarin references XiShi: 西施死時四十四，四十四時西施死。(XīShī sǐ shí sì shí sì, sì shí sì shí XīShī sǐ.) It means Xishi died at (the age of) forty-four, at (age) forty-four Xishi died.
References
[1]^ 古代笔记中的西施归宿之争
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Four_Beauties
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xi_Shi
人物: http://magupeople.blogspot.com/1983/05/xi-shi-506-bc.html
Showing posts with label Four Beauties. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Four Beauties. Show all posts
WANG Zhaojun (王昭君)
WANG Zhaojun (王昭君)
Wang Qiang (王牆 also 王檣; 王嬙), more commonly known by her style name Wang Zhaojun (王昭君) was a real person, born in Baoping Village, Zigui County (in current Hubei Province) in the Western Han Dynasty (206 BC - 8 AD).[1] was sent by Emperor Yuan to marry the Xiongnu Chanyu (呼韓邪) in order to establish friendly relations with the Han Dynasty through marriage. She is famed as one of the Four Beauties of ancient China and her story as a ‘political bride’ has handed down to generations.
Role in the "Four Beauties" legend
According to the most prevalent version of the "Four Beauties" legend, the quartet's members are Xi Shi, Wang Zhaojun, Diao Chan or Diaochan, and Yang Guifei. They are described by four parallel Chinese quotations: "Xi Shi sinks fish; Wang Zhaojun drops birds; Diao Chan eclipses the moon; Yang Guifei shames flowers."[2] Wang Zhaojun's portion of the legend is that on a bright autumn morning she left her hometown on horseback and began a journey northward. Along the way, the horse neighed, making Zhaojun extremely sad and unable to control her emotions. As she sat on the saddle, she began to play sorrowful melodies on a stringed instrument. A flock of geese flying southward heard the music, saw the beautiful young woman riding the horse, immediately forgot to flap their wings, and fell to the ground. From then on, Zhaojun acquired the nickname "fells geese" or "drops birds."
Wang Zhaojun in History
Entering the harem
Wang Zhaojun was born to a prominent family of Baopin village, Zigui country (now Zhaojun village, Xingshan county, Hubei) in the south of the Western Han empire. As she was born when her father was very old, he regarded her as "a pearl in the palm". Wang Zhaojun was endowed with dazzling beauty with extremely intelligent mind. She was also adept in pipa and master all the Four Arts of the Chinese Scholar – Guqin, Weiqi, Calligraphy and Chinese painting. In 36 BC, Emperor Yuan chose his concubines from the whole state. Because of Zhaojun’s fame in the county, she was his first choice for the concubine from Nan county. Emperor Yuan issued the edict that Zhaojun should enter the harem soon. Zhaojun’s father said that his daughter was too young to enter the harem, but could not violate the decree. Zhaojun left her hometown and entered the harem of Emperor Yuan in early summer. According to the custom in the palace, when choosing a new wife, the Emperor was first presented with portraits of all the possible women. It is said that because of Zhaojun's confidence of beauty and temperament, she refused to bribe the artist Mao Shouyan as other women did.[3] As a reprisal, Mao shouyan painted a mole of widowed tears on Zhaojun’s portrait.[4] As a result, during her time in the Lateral Courts, Wang Zhaojun was never visited by the emperor and remained as a palace lady-in-waiting. Wang Zhaojun's portrait was either never viewed by the Emperor, or was not in its true form, and therefore the Emperor overlooked her.[5]
Zhaojun Departs for the Frontier
In 33 BC, Huhanye Chanyu visited Chang'an as part of the tributary system that existed between the Han and Xiongnu governments. He took the opportunity to request to become an imperial son-in-law, which is recorded by Lou Jingde under Emperor Gaozu of Han. As Queen Mother Lü had only one daughter she did not have the heart to send her too far away. Typically the daughter of a concubine would then be offered, but, unwilling to honour Huhanye with a real princess, Emperor Yuan ordered that the plainest girl in the harem be selected.[6] He asked for volunteers and promised to present her as his own daughter. The idea of leaving their homeland and comfortable life at the court for the grasslands of the far and unknown north was abhorrent to most of the young women, but Wang Zhaojun accepted. When the matron of the harem sent the unflattering portrait of Wang Zhaojun to the emperor he merely glanced at it and nodded his approval. Only when summoned to court was Wang Zhaojun’s beauty revealed and the emperor considered retracting his decision to give her to the Xiongnu. However, it was too late by then and, in anguish, the emperor presented Wang Zhaojun to Huhanye, who was delighted. Relations with the Xiongnu subsequently improved and the court artist, Mao Shouyan, was subsequently put to death for deceiving the Emperor.[7]
Life with the Xiongnu
Wang Zhaojun became a favourite of the Huhanye chanyu, giving birth to two sons. Only one of them seems to have survived, Yituzhiyashi (伊屠智牙師). They also had at least one daughter, Yun (雲), who was created Princess Yimuo and who would later become a powerful figure in Xiongnu politics. When Huhanye died in 31 BC, Wang Zhaojun requested to return to China.Emperor Cheng, however, ordered that she follow Xiongnu levirate custom and become the wife of the next shanyu, the oldest brother (or her stepson, born by her husband's first wife) of her husband. In her new marriage she had two daughters.
Wang was honoured as Ninghu Yanzhi(寧胡閼氏 "Hu-Pacifying Chief-Consort").[8]
Evaluation
Zhaojun’s life became the household tale of "Zhaojun Departs the Frontier" (昭君出塞) in the history of the friendship and unity among Chinese nationalities as well as a popular subject in Chinese poetry, drama and novels. She advised Huhanye not to wage war and spread the Han culture and civilization among the Xiongnu tribe. As she was loved and respected by the Xiongnu, Huhanxie Chanyu conferred on her the title of the First Lady of Xiongnu Peace, eulogizing Zhaojun as a queen who had brought peace and security to the Xiongnu tribe. Peace was maintained for over 60 years between China and the Xiongnu with her contribution. Since the 3rd century, the story of Wang Zhaojun had been elaborated upon. The Communist government of the People's Republic of China uses her as a symbol of the integration of Han Chinese and ethnic minorities of China. There is a Memorial to Zhaojun in Inner Mongolia. Although it is called a "Tomb", she is not actually buried there. Her date of death and true grave is unknown.
References
[1]^ "王昭君简介". www.365zn.com.
[2]^ Xinhuanet.com. "纪连海叹说四大美人". Retrieved on 2010-02-20.
[3]^ baike.baidu.com. "王昭君". zhiyang2005.
[4]^ baike.baidu.com. "王昭君". zhiyang2005.
[5]^ baike.baidu.com. "王昭君". zhiyang2005.
[6]^ baike.baidu.com. "王昭君". zhiyang2005.
[7]^ baike.baidu.com. "王昭君". zhiyang2005.
[8]^ baike.baidu.com. "王昭君". zhiyang2005.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Four_Beauties
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wang_Zhaojun
人物: 王昭君 (Wang Zhaojun)
Wang Qiang (王牆 also 王檣; 王嬙), more commonly known by her style name Wang Zhaojun (王昭君) was a real person, born in Baoping Village, Zigui County (in current Hubei Province) in the Western Han Dynasty (206 BC - 8 AD).[1] was sent by Emperor Yuan to marry the Xiongnu Chanyu (呼韓邪) in order to establish friendly relations with the Han Dynasty through marriage. She is famed as one of the Four Beauties of ancient China and her story as a ‘political bride’ has handed down to generations.
Role in the "Four Beauties" legend
According to the most prevalent version of the "Four Beauties" legend, the quartet's members are Xi Shi, Wang Zhaojun, Diao Chan or Diaochan, and Yang Guifei. They are described by four parallel Chinese quotations: "Xi Shi sinks fish; Wang Zhaojun drops birds; Diao Chan eclipses the moon; Yang Guifei shames flowers."[2] Wang Zhaojun's portion of the legend is that on a bright autumn morning she left her hometown on horseback and began a journey northward. Along the way, the horse neighed, making Zhaojun extremely sad and unable to control her emotions. As she sat on the saddle, she began to play sorrowful melodies on a stringed instrument. A flock of geese flying southward heard the music, saw the beautiful young woman riding the horse, immediately forgot to flap their wings, and fell to the ground. From then on, Zhaojun acquired the nickname "fells geese" or "drops birds."
Wang Zhaojun in History
Entering the harem
Wang Zhaojun was born to a prominent family of Baopin village, Zigui country (now Zhaojun village, Xingshan county, Hubei) in the south of the Western Han empire. As she was born when her father was very old, he regarded her as "a pearl in the palm". Wang Zhaojun was endowed with dazzling beauty with extremely intelligent mind. She was also adept in pipa and master all the Four Arts of the Chinese Scholar – Guqin, Weiqi, Calligraphy and Chinese painting. In 36 BC, Emperor Yuan chose his concubines from the whole state. Because of Zhaojun’s fame in the county, she was his first choice for the concubine from Nan county. Emperor Yuan issued the edict that Zhaojun should enter the harem soon. Zhaojun’s father said that his daughter was too young to enter the harem, but could not violate the decree. Zhaojun left her hometown and entered the harem of Emperor Yuan in early summer. According to the custom in the palace, when choosing a new wife, the Emperor was first presented with portraits of all the possible women. It is said that because of Zhaojun's confidence of beauty and temperament, she refused to bribe the artist Mao Shouyan as other women did.[3] As a reprisal, Mao shouyan painted a mole of widowed tears on Zhaojun’s portrait.[4] As a result, during her time in the Lateral Courts, Wang Zhaojun was never visited by the emperor and remained as a palace lady-in-waiting. Wang Zhaojun's portrait was either never viewed by the Emperor, or was not in its true form, and therefore the Emperor overlooked her.[5]
Zhaojun Departs for the Frontier
In 33 BC, Huhanye Chanyu visited Chang'an as part of the tributary system that existed between the Han and Xiongnu governments. He took the opportunity to request to become an imperial son-in-law, which is recorded by Lou Jingde under Emperor Gaozu of Han. As Queen Mother Lü had only one daughter she did not have the heart to send her too far away. Typically the daughter of a concubine would then be offered, but, unwilling to honour Huhanye with a real princess, Emperor Yuan ordered that the plainest girl in the harem be selected.[6] He asked for volunteers and promised to present her as his own daughter. The idea of leaving their homeland and comfortable life at the court for the grasslands of the far and unknown north was abhorrent to most of the young women, but Wang Zhaojun accepted. When the matron of the harem sent the unflattering portrait of Wang Zhaojun to the emperor he merely glanced at it and nodded his approval. Only when summoned to court was Wang Zhaojun’s beauty revealed and the emperor considered retracting his decision to give her to the Xiongnu. However, it was too late by then and, in anguish, the emperor presented Wang Zhaojun to Huhanye, who was delighted. Relations with the Xiongnu subsequently improved and the court artist, Mao Shouyan, was subsequently put to death for deceiving the Emperor.[7]
Life with the Xiongnu
Wang Zhaojun became a favourite of the Huhanye chanyu, giving birth to two sons. Only one of them seems to have survived, Yituzhiyashi (伊屠智牙師). They also had at least one daughter, Yun (雲), who was created Princess Yimuo and who would later become a powerful figure in Xiongnu politics. When Huhanye died in 31 BC, Wang Zhaojun requested to return to China.Emperor Cheng, however, ordered that she follow Xiongnu levirate custom and become the wife of the next shanyu, the oldest brother (or her stepson, born by her husband's first wife) of her husband. In her new marriage she had two daughters.
Wang was honoured as Ninghu Yanzhi(寧胡閼氏 "Hu-Pacifying Chief-Consort").[8]
Evaluation
Zhaojun’s life became the household tale of "Zhaojun Departs the Frontier" (昭君出塞) in the history of the friendship and unity among Chinese nationalities as well as a popular subject in Chinese poetry, drama and novels. She advised Huhanye not to wage war and spread the Han culture and civilization among the Xiongnu tribe. As she was loved and respected by the Xiongnu, Huhanxie Chanyu conferred on her the title of the First Lady of Xiongnu Peace, eulogizing Zhaojun as a queen who had brought peace and security to the Xiongnu tribe. Peace was maintained for over 60 years between China and the Xiongnu with her contribution. Since the 3rd century, the story of Wang Zhaojun had been elaborated upon. The Communist government of the People's Republic of China uses her as a symbol of the integration of Han Chinese and ethnic minorities of China. There is a Memorial to Zhaojun in Inner Mongolia. Although it is called a "Tomb", she is not actually buried there. Her date of death and true grave is unknown.
References
[1]^ "王昭君简介". www.365zn.com.
[2]^ Xinhuanet.com. "纪连海叹说四大美人". Retrieved on 2010-02-20.
[3]^ baike.baidu.com. "王昭君". zhiyang2005.
[4]^ baike.baidu.com. "王昭君". zhiyang2005.
[5]^ baike.baidu.com. "王昭君". zhiyang2005.
[6]^ baike.baidu.com. "王昭君". zhiyang2005.
[7]^ baike.baidu.com. "王昭君". zhiyang2005.
[8]^ baike.baidu.com. "王昭君". zhiyang2005.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Four_Beauties
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wang_Zhaojun
人物: 王昭君 (Wang Zhaojun)
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