A Chinese concubine was a secondary wife, often taken by a man of higher social and economic standing. The term “concubine” is derived from the Latin word “concubinarius,” meaning “one who lives in a state of concubinage.
” Historically, a concubine was a woman in a polygynous marriage and held a lower social status than the other wife, or wives, and was therefore sexually available to the husband. She might live with the husband in the same residence, usually as a separate household, or she may have her own residence within the husband’s estate.
Many concubines were taken from lower social classes such as from among slaves, maidservants, and daughters of poor families and could be purchased from those families. Other female slaves were given as gifts and though these girls could not be legally married to their owners, they became his sexual concubines.
Many of these women were chosen through a process known as “casting the golden lot” and often referred to as taobao 女, meaning “girls of all ages. ”.
In some cases, a concubine was an educated and respected member of the family and was treated as an equal. Still, she was in a position subordinate to the wife and could not perform any ceremonial functions.
A man might take additional concubines, if he could afford it, but even then, the first concubine usually held a higher place of honor than the others.
In general, a concubine was less respected and had fewer rights than a wife. In some cases, a concubine was simply regarded as a form of entertainment and would not be expected to bear any children. Concubines had no legal rights and no responsibility for taking care of the man’s household.
Additionally, those born to the concubine often faced discrimination from those born from the wife and usually had far fewer economic and social rights.
Despite the unequal social and legal status of concubines in ancient China, some had considerable influence over their masters, depending on their beauty and wit. For example, Wang Zhaojun, one of the Four Beauties of China, exerted considerable influence over Emperor Yuan of the Han dynasty and helped to avert a conflict with the Xiongnu nomads.
In modern times, concubines are essentially no longer accepted in Chinese culture, though there is still a social stigma attached to the daughters of such relationships.
Do Chinese still have concubines?
No, the practice of having concubines is not something that is still practiced in China today. Historically, it had been practiced for centuries in Imperial China, with high officials and rich, powerful men taking consorts or concubines in addition to one or more wives.
However, the practice as a whole has been largely abandoned in modern Chinese society, with the institution of monogamous marriage gaining wide acceptance and support after the fall of the Qing dynasty in 1912.
Today, while Chinese society still experiences some degree of gender inequality, traditional cultural beliefs regarding concubines are becoming increasingly obsolete, with most Chinese citizens now rejecting the notion of having multiple partners in marriage.
Do concubines exist in China?
Yes, concubines have existed in various forms throughout Chinese history. In feudal times, concubines filled the role of secondary wives to provide heirs, as well as companionship to emperors, aristocrats, and wealthy merchants.
During the Qing dynasty, a Manchu government set official regulations on concubinage, distinguished by the hierarchy among the women and a set of currency-based payment standards. By the 1800s, the term concubine had largely fallen out of usage, replaced by the term “secondary wife” to denote a secondary wife in addition to a legally married primary wife.
Today, informal concubinage still exists in contemporary China, despite its illegality. Wealthy businessmen, politicians, and other elites will often pay for companionship, as well as for medical expenses or living expenses for their female companions.
These women may not be legally viewed as wives, but they often hold considerable influence within their social circles.
Were Chinese concubines pretty?
It depends on what period of Chinese history we are referring to. In ancient Chinese history, concubines were often chosen for their beauty, so in that sense, one could say that Chinese concubines were pretty.
However, the standards of beauty for Chinese women changed over the centuries, and so what may have been considered ‘pretty’ in the ancient era might not be considered as such today. In addition, the beauty of a concubine was also affected by her social status, as privileged women were likely to receive better treatments when it came to make-up, fashion and beauty treatments.
All in all, whether Chinese concubines were pretty or not is a subjective matter, as beauty standards change throughout time and are heavily contingent upon social status.
How common were concubines in China?
The prevalence of concubines in China has been a subject of debate throughout history. Historically, concubines were quite common in China and could be found in most upper class households. The practice of having concubines began during the Zhou Dynasty (1046-256 BC), and flourished until the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644).
During this period, upper class men would often have multiple concubines, usually selected from the lower classes. Some men even had hundreds of concubines in their service. While concubines were used as a symbol of wealth and power, they were also used to maintain family lineage and obtain political alliances.
As society evolved, the practice of having concubines waned in popularity. By the late Ming Dynasty, there were strict laws in place that limited the number of concubines a man could have and the social stigma associated with having concubines had grown.
However, despite these laws and social norms, the practice still existed but on a much smaller scale. During the Qing Dynasty (1644-1912), concubines were largely done away with and by the end of the 19th century, they had all but disappeared.
Today, concubines are not present in China at all. Though the exact reasons for the disappearance of concubines are largely unknown, it is likely due to the changing social mores of the Chinese people and the introduction of Christian values to society.
Who is the most famous concubine?
The most famous concubine in world history was likely Consort Donggo, a concubine of the Chinese emperor Gaozu of the Han Dynasty (202 BC–220 AD). She is remembered for her beauty and intelligence, as well as her involvement in a power struggle between the emperor, who favored her over the other concubines, and his nephew who sought to dethrone him.
She is believed to have been instrumental in helping the emperor maintain his grasp on the throne. While her exact fate after Gaozu’s death is unknown, she is remembered as one of the most influential concubines of all time.
Were there any male concubines in China?
Yes, there were male concubines in China during various periods of its history. During the Ming Dynasty (1368–1644), male concubines, known as “palace slaves,” were used for their muscle and raw labour by the wealthy elite.
Those with a higher status were referred to as “pampered sons” and were given access to the best food and comfortable chambers in the imperial palace. Some of them even received clothing and jewellery from their owners and could even rise to positions of authority within the palace.
Further, male concubines could sometimes be favored over their female counterparts, as their unique skillset made them attractive to higher ranking court officials.
In recent years, the practice of using male concubines has decreased, however it is still prevalent, particularly in rural and poorer regions. In these areas, male concubines are often used by wealthy families and powerful officials to demonstrate their social status, wealth, and power.
Though the exact number or prevalence of male concubines in China today is not known, it is clear that the trend continues in certain contexts.
What do concubines do?
Concubines were women in pre-modern societies who were in a sexual relationship with men they were not married to. In many ancient civilizations, concubines had a unique status in that they were neither wives nor mistresses, but instead were considered lower ranking menial partners of men.
Although concubines were often thought of as sexual companions, they could also act as cooks, servants, nurses, and other female roles.
In some instances, concubines could also take on a more equal footing with their male partner, even being able to become wealthy or have children, or hold certain positions of power. Such positions would be rare and typically only for favored individuals who had advanced beyond the position of sexual partner.
In many cultures, concubinage was a way to ensure increased fertility and protect against adultery, as concubines would bear legitimate children because of the legal implications. They could also ensure a higher quality of life for the male partner by offering sexual pleasure and comfort, and in some cases, even religious guidance.
Being a concubine was often seen as a stepping-stone for women to potentially better their status within the household and society. In some cases, the female concubine of an influential man could rise up to a respected rank within the court and the status of their children would often be higher than those of commoners.
Despite this, being a concubine often held negative stigmas. In many cultures, women who were concubines were seen as being morally loose and lacking any influence. In some places, being a concubine to a married man was strictly forbidden as a sign of respect to the man’s legitimate wife and children.
What purpose did concubines serve?
In ancient times, concubines served a variety of purposes, depending on the social and political context. In general, however, concubines served the purpose of providing sexual companionship and producing children.
In many cases, concubines were also a status symbol – a sign of power, wealth, and prestige. In some cultures, concubines provided labor and other services. For instance, in Ancient China, concubines often served as midwives, nannies, tutors, or bodyguards.
Concubines also served a political purpose in some empires such as the Ottoman Empire, where the sultan would ceremonially take a woman as his concubine in order to complete a political marriage alliance—this was a form of arranged marriage.
Concubines were also seen as a way to increase the prestige and power of a family by extending its domain with new blood.
In some cultures, concubinage was a more formal and socially-accepted form of marriage, in which the concubine had fewer rights than a wife. Typically, the children borne of a concubine would be seen as illegitimate, but in some cultures this was not the case, and the children had the same rights and privileges as those borne of wives.
How are concubines chosen?
The process of choosing concubines has varied greatly throughout history. In ancient times, it often involved being chosen from a group of subordinate women available to a powerful man. In some cultures, a man might be able to choose a concubine from his own family and in others, he might have to search for her—often in a nearby village.
During the Middle Ages and in some cultures, concubines came from harems made up of multiple women.
In more modern times, concubines often come from the same socioeconomic status or class as the man. This could involve finding a woman willing to enter into the arrangement, carefully searching for the right candidate with the right looks, or even marrying someone of lower status as a concubine.
In some cases, concubines have been purchased through shady deals and sometimes they’ve been kidnapped.
In any case, the choice of a concubine is (or was) based on a variety of factors, such as her physical beauty, her background and her willingness to please. In many cases, the concubine would be expected to provide companionship and sexual services for her powerful partner.
How an emperor chose a concubine?
In Ancient China, the emperor had a lot of power and influence – he was the leader of the land and was expected to conduct himself in a certain way. In order to maintain the emperor’s power and influence, he often had multiple wives, otherwise known as concubines.
The process of choosing these concubines was often quite elaborate and depended on the emperor. The emperor might choose concubines from a list of suggested candidates from his court, or from aristocratic families that passed down their daughters as prospective partners.
He might also go through a rigorous selection process which focused on the prospective partner’s intelligence, beauty and loyalty. Once the emperor had chosen a concubine, she had to go through a number of formal ritual rites before the marriage could be finalized.
This often included paying homage to the emperor, performing a ritual dance, or offering gifts to the emperor’s court. After the concubine had successfully undergone these steps and the emperor had accepted her, she would then become his wife and be officially included as part of his harem.
What were the ranks of concubines?
The ranks of concubines were hierarchical and somewhat ceremonial in nature. Although the Ming Dynasty is sometimes credited with establishing a formal ranking system of concubines, it was actually the Qing Dynasty that codified the matter in a formal capacity.
The highest of the concubines were known as the Imperial Concubine (also referred to as a Principal Concubine). These were the most favored women of the emperor and often held political influence. Following that tier were the Secondary Concubines or Secondary Imperial Concubines, followed by the Consorts, then the Concubines, and finally the Attendants.
These hierarchical rankings also applied to the children that were born from these relationships. The children born from the Imperial Concubine would take the highest rank, followed by those from the Secondary Concubines, then the Consorts.
The ranks of concubines also had a direct bearing on the amount of clothing and servants they were allowed. The children born to concubines would also be affected by their mother’s rank, as those of a higher rank were given better educational and economic opportunities.
What countries still allow concubines?
The legal status of concubinage is highly variable in the modern world and there is no country in the world that currently recognizes the practice or provides legal protections or benefits to concubines.
Some countries historically allowed concubinage, such as China and Japan, however the practice has been abolished in both countries and is no longer legally sanctioned.
In some countries, concubinage is still practiced in a more informal way, largely as a result of poverty or lack of access to marriage. In many rural areas of the Middle East, for example, it is not uncommon for a married man to keep a concubine, despite the practice being illegal.
In some of the Gulf Countries, concubinage is used as a way to keep a woman out of the traditional marriage system, whereas in other Middle Eastern countries, such as Yemen and Iraq, there is evidence to suggest that concubinage is more widely accepted.
In India, concubines are accepted in some areas and allowed to live with the man and his wife, often with privileges and benefits provided by the family. This practice is commonly referred to as ‘joint family’ and while widespread, it is not legally protected.
In some parts of Africa, such as in Nigeria and Burkina Faso, concubinage is still common and the concubines are recognized by the family, despite the practice being illegal.
Overall, the concept of concubinage is still a part of many cultures in the modern world, but it is not legally recognized and is rarely provided legal protection or rewards.
What is difference between adultery and concubinage?
Adultery and concubinage are both considered to be a form of extra-marital sexual relationships and can both bring a host of social and personal repercussions, but there are some key differences between them.
Adultery is typically defined as a voluntary, consensual sexual intercourse between one married person and someone who isn’t their legal spouse. Concubinage, on the other hand, is a long-term sexual relationship between a man and a woman outside of marriage, but with some similarity to it.
This can include living together, purchasing property together, having children, and taking part in social activities as a couple. Adultery is seen as immoral in many societies, whereas concubinage is more flexible in its definition, with cultural norms playing a part in determining what is and isn’t acceptable.
In addition, concubinage tends to be far more accepted in non-Western cultures, and viewed in a less negative light than adultery, as it’s seen as a more accepted form of marriage-like arrangement outside of a social context.
Generally, both types of relationships can lead to legal consequences, depending on the laws of the particular country or region.
What was it like to be a concubine in China?
Being a concubine in China was a difficult and ultimately tragic experience for many women. It is a role that has been largely forgotten in contemporary society, yet it was a common practice in China for centuries.
The life of a concubine in China was often incredibly restrictive, as they were treated more as property than as human beings.
Concubines were typically divided into two legal categories — ‘minor’ concubines and ‘major’ concubines. Minor concubines were typically allowed to maintain some level of freedom and were usually treated better than major concubines.
They often came from upper-class families, and were allowed to take part in family activities and were not required to carry out any labor-oriented duties. Major concubines, however, had much less freedom and tended to be treated like lower-class workers or slaves.
They were expected to carry out most of the household chores, such as cooking, cleaning and childcare, and often had few rights or privileges.
Life as a concubine was also incredibly lonely. Even if a concubine had a place to call home, it was rarely a part of the family. Often, she was neglected and ignored by her fellow wives and her husband, and was rarely allowed to take part in any family events or festivities.
Additionally, concubines usually had little to no contact with their own families, as they were seen as dishonorable by their birth families.
The life of a concubine in China was a difficult one, with few rights and no prospects for a better future. It was a life of servitude and loneliness, where a woman had little to no independence or control over her own life.
Though the practice is now long gone, its legacy continues to cast a dark shadow over society.