When people think of ancient China, they often imagine a society bound by rigid rules, especially for women. The “Three Obediences and Four Virtues” dictated female behavior, and unmarried women were expected to remain hidden in their chambers, blushing even when speaking to a stranger.
But history tells a different story. Ancient China was not always conservative. If you were transported back to the Tang Dynasty (618–907 CE), you would be shocked—the openness of that era would shatter many stereotypes about traditional Chinese society.
A Cosmopolitan and Confident Empire
The Tang Dynasty was not only a political and cultural golden age but also a time of remarkable openness. In Chang’an and Luoyang, foreigners were a common sight—blonde hair and blue eyes walked the streets. At its peak, foreigners made up nearly 5% of the capital’s population, bringing new customs and ideas that blended with Chinese traditions to create a unique atmosphere of freedom.
The reign of Empress Wu Zetian, the only female emperor in Chinese history, further reinforced this trend. Her rule sent a clear signal: women could hold power, and their roles in society were not confined to the home.
Women in Society and Politics
Unlike in many other dynasties, women in Tang China enjoyed relatively high social status and freedom:
- Wealthy young women could study in private schools, reading classics like The Book of Songs and The Analects.
- Athletic women played polo, riding on horseback as boldly as men.
- Exceptional women could even hold political power, such as Shangguan Wan’er, known as the “female prime minister,” who influenced imperial policies.
Bold Fashion and Beauty
Tang women also made bold statements through fashion. Their clothing style could be summed up in three words: thin, sheer, and revealing.
- Low-cut blouses exposed graceful necklines and collarbones.
- Light silk shawls added elegance while allowing a glimpse of the garments beneath.
- Poets celebrated this beauty, writing verses like “powdered chests half revealed, as dazzling as clear snow.”
Cross-dressing was also popular. Women wearing men’s robes and headgear, confidently riding horses in public, was considered stylish rather than scandalous.
Makeup trends flourished too:
- Plum blossom makeup (a flower painted on the forehead)
- Sunset blush (red cheeks resembling evening clouds)
- Various eyebrow shapes such as willow-leaf or distant-mountain brows
- Decorative touches like floral forehead ornaments (huadian) or dimples painted onto the face
Marriage, Love, and Scandal
Tang women had property rights and could become household heads. Widows were not forced into lifelong chastity; they could remarry or return to their families. Divorce was permitted, and women could even initiate separation with a “letter of release.”
Some women openly had lovers. The elite sometimes kept “male companions” (known as mianshou), just as Wu Zetian and Princess Taiping famously did.
Scandals were not uncommon either:
- Princess Gaoyang was romantically involved with a monk despite being married.
- Emperor Gaozong’s affair with Wu Zetian began when he was still crown prince.
- Emperor Xuanzong controversially took his son’s wife, Yang Yuhuan (Yang Guifei), as his own consort.
What might be tabloid material today was simply part of Tang high society.
Talented Women of the Tang Dynasty
Historical records mention over 200 notable women of talent in the Tang era.
- Shangguan Wan’er, the brilliant poet-politician.
- Xue Tao, a courtesan and poet admired by Bai Juyi and Yuan Zhen.
- Aristocratic women like Wei Cong and Pei Shu, who wrote refined poetry.
These women proved that literary and political ability was not the exclusive domain of men.
Why Was Tang China So Open?
Tang openness cannot be explained solely by Wu Zetian’s reign.
- The ruling Li family had mixed Central Asian heritage, making them less bound by strict Confucian codes.
- The Silk Road brought continuous cultural exchange and diversity.
- A powerful and prosperous empire gave its people confidence and tolerance.
The Tang Dynasty’s blend of strength, prosperity, and cosmopolitan culture created a society remarkably open—even by modern standards.
