Wu: Did you mean...?

Empress Wu Zetian (Empress Consort Wu, Wu Hou, Wu Mei Niang, Mei-Niang, and Wu Zhao, l. 624-705 CE, r. 690-704 CE) was the only female emperor of Imperial China. She reigned during the Tang Dynasty (618-907 CE) and was one of the most...

Wu Zetian's (r. 683-704 CE) Stele at Quianling Mausoleum where she was buried along with her husband Gaozong.

Wu Zetian was born in 624 CE to a wealthy family, and her father encouraged her to learn how to read and write, as well as how to play music, the art of public speaking, and how to compose poetry...

Empress Wu Zetian (r. 683-704 CE) of the Tang Dynasty. Image taken from An 18th-century album of portraits of 86 emperors of China, with Chinese historical notes. Originally published/produced in China, 18th century. (British...

No contemporary portrait of the Chinese philosopher Confucius (c. 551 to c. 479 BCE) survives but the most popular print during the Imperial period was taken from a now lost original by Wu Daozi (Wu Taoutsi) in the 8th century...

Map of China showing the Wu Zetian's empire c. 700 CE.

Sima Yan, convinced Cao Huan to abdicate in his favor and then founded the Jin Dynasty in 266 CE, taking the throne name of Emperor Wu of Jin. Thirteen Emperors Scroll, Boston Museum of Fine Arts

This is a rubbing of a scene found in the Wu family shrines which depicts King Wen, founder of the Zhou Dynasty, lasting from 1046 to 256 BCE. Currently, it is a part of the Cyrus Tang Hall of China exhibition...

The Empress Wu Zetian (690-704 CE) is the only female ruler in the history of China. Even though there were many important and influential women throughout China's history, only one ever became the most powerful...

This shrine was part of an elaborate family cemetery in what is now southwestern Shandong province China around c. 150 CE. It stood in front of the tomb of a minor local official. Its ancient walls are covered with...