The Tang Dynasty continued and improved upon the ideals set forth by the previous Zhou System. The Tang Liu Dian describes the Imperial Harem System, the result of Tang's improvement and formalization of the Zhou, and shows us 121 consorts placed into ...
The Tang Dynasty continued and improved upon the ideals set forth by the previous Zhou System. The Tang Liu Dian describes the Imperial Harem System, the result of Tang's improvement and formalization of the Zhou, and shows us 121 consorts placed into nine ranks in a manner similar to the system used to rank regular government officials. Tang consorts lived lives filled by the rites and ceremonies presided over by the Empress. Many of these ceremonies were similar to those of performed by the Emperor, but served slightly different, though related ends; a division of responsibility between sovereign man and woman. The Court Conference, and Mulberry Culture ceremonies are worthy of note among these responsibilities. The Emperor's Court Conference Ceremony served to establish order between the sovereign and his subjects, while the Empress's Court Conference served to establish the same relationship between the Empress and Imperial Harem. Although the lives of the Empress and concubines seemed glamorous and their responsibilities important, the only assured life of ease and luxury was that granted by the Emperor on those he favored. Women in the seraglio who did not attract an emperor's attention lived tedious, solitary lives devoid of contact with their friends and family outside the palace, and very often without any contact with even the emperor, a nominal consort. These women often found solace only through poetry. Without hope of such pity, the women could only dream of becoming an emperor's real consort, or even the empress. Such positions close to the emperor offered not only to alleviate their loneliness, but perhaps also the possibility to take an active role in the emperor's court.The possibility of political power within the imperial harem steadily declined from during the Tang, and by the late period, the harem had become politically powerless.There were three reasons they were unable to maintain political power. The first reason is the Tang Imperial family, government clique, and imperial consort's Turkish heritage. This gave the court many Turkish characteristics, for example, the Turkish tradition of allowing women to enjoy a strong role in decision-making processes. The Empresses and imperial concubines were often able to use this role in usurping power away from the throne, even governing until the middle of the eighth century. The Tang Imperial family, government clique, and imperial consort's Turkish characteristics made it possible, in the early Tang, for the imperial harem to usurp political power, giving them opportunities to prove themselves able politicians and rivals to their male contemporaries. The middle of 8th century, however, marked a significant decline in the Turkish character of The Tang court, and this decline brought a corresponding decline in the power of the imperial harem and empress until rendered powerless and unable to participate in the political process.
Another reason is the social fabric of China at the time. Beginning after the mid-8th century, Confucianism dominated Chinese society; which began to demand that women conduct themselves with proper Confucian ethics and behavior. The harem's power stemmed directly from, and so was dependent upon the acquiescence of the Emperor. The early Tang period was a time of peace and stability, and the emperor welcomed the empress's political participation. To emphasize her dignity, and political power, previous emperors required not only palace women also all high officials to attend the empress's court conference ceremony. The Emperor Suzong, however, abolished the attendance of his officials at the ceremony, and thereafter the empress, having no inherent power of her own, became nothing more than a wife and mother. Unable to develop political status or ascend the throne, the political power of the imperial harem was broken forever.