Yin The Dynasties: Recent Episodes
yinthedynasties
For over 4,000 years of Chinese history, where did women stand in society and how did it impact China’s economical and political position in the world? Join us as we discuss women in ancient China, and explore how they left a mark in history and how society treated them. If you are into different dynasties and fun facts about Chinese culture, this is for you.
In the last episode, we introduced you to the backstory of WuZeTian and how she got herself onto the throne.
Welcome to the fifth episode of Yin The Dynasties! IT will be the part 2 of the episode where we talked about her achievements during her reign and some juicy stories about her! What is it like to be be the China’s first and only female emperor, and create a new dynasty? Was she as cruel and ruthless as how historians portrayed her? Listen it to find out!
In the last episode, we introduced the Four Beauties of ancient China and how most of them were used as mere tools for political struggles.
Welcome to the fourth episode of Yin The Dynasties! We'll be talking about poweful women in court, featuring Wu ZeTian. This woman started her journey as a lady in waiting in the imperial palace when she was fourteen, how did she end up on the throne, becoming China’s first and only female emperor, and creating a new dynasty? Was she as cruel and ruthless as how historians portrayed her?
Credits:
The Demonization of Empress Wu— by Mike Dash, The Smithsonian Magazine
Wi Zetian biography—by World History Encyclopedia
Wu Zhao: Ruler of Tang Dynasty China— by Yuen Ting Lee, Association for Asian Studies
Was China’s Empress Wu the richest woman ever?— Douglas Parkes, South China Morning Post
Music
故宫的记忆by 神思者
卧龙吟 by Zi De guqin Studio
长安幻世绘by Zi De guqin Studio
女皇 by Joey Yung
In the last episode, we talked about the lives of the concubines and the imperial harem system.
Welcome to the third episode of Yin The Dynasties! We’ll be talking about the stories of the Four Beauties in ancient China! Who were the four beauties and how were they portrayed in history? What did it mean by the beauty trap? Were that merely tools for political struggles? Is it true that the only way for women in ancient china to be recorded in history is to cause trouble?
In the last episode we talked about the lives of ordinary women in ancient China, but what about women living in the imperial palace?
Welcome to the second episode of Yin The Dynasties! We’ll be diving into the lives of the concubines and the imperial harem system! Why did courtesans started binding their foot? Did you know that the 10th Century Chinese calendar was made for the emperor’s sex life?
Credits— Special thanks to:
Clip from 如懿传, Ruyi's Royal Love in the Palace (03:47)
Translation: “I’m the imperial consort, how dare you try to punish me?” “But I’m the empress!”
Music
Introduction music from Zi De guqin Studio
Transition audio from Zi De guqin Studio
Explanation of polygamy in imperial China— Fercility Jiang from China Highlights
Story of Sui Wen Di 隋文帝, the emperor who had the fewest concubines in Chinese history— Keith McMahon for The Journal of Asian Studies
The Forbidden City as the world’s largest complex— Jonathan Chatwin for CNN
Forbidden City design details— China Highlights
Life of women in the imperial palace— Marcelo Duhalde for the South China Morning Post
Hierarchy of concubines in the inner palace— China Fetching
Foot binding fun facts— Amanda Foreman for the Smithsonian Magazine
The role of a eunuch— Marcelo Duhalde for the South China Morning Post
Have you ever wondered how your lief would be if you were born a girl in ancient China? What were the expectations toward women in that period of time?
Welcome to our first episode of Yin The Dynasties! This episode is an overview about women's life in ancient china, and some social rules and etiquettes they had to adhere to during that time. If you liked it, make sure to follow us on Instagram @yinthedynasties for more!
Explanation:
无才便是德 (wú cái biàn shì dé)- To be untalented/unskilled/uneducated is a virtue
Credits:
Explanation of Yin and Yang concept— Mark Cartwright from World History Encyclopedia
Women in Confucianism thought—article by Juliana Batista from Schwarzman Scholars
Seven grounds for divorce— explained by Collaborative Chinese Chat
Intro music by Zi De guqin Studio on YouTube
Background music by Kinh Ho Van on YouTube
For over 4,000 years of Chinese history, where did women stand in society and how did it impact China’s economical and political position in the world? Join us as we discuss women in ancient China, and explore how they left a mark in history and how society treated them. If you are into different dynasties and fun facts about Chinese culture, this is for you!