Wuting for the People: The Societal Reforms of Wu Zetian

(Shangguan Wan’er, promoted to prime minister during Wu’s reign (Women of History, 2013)) We have already discussed how Wu Zetian funded various religious projects to improve public perception of her rule (see here), but this tactic did not stop with religion. Throughout Wu’s reign, she used social reforms as a tactic to not only improve …

Wupotheosis: Wu’s Use of Religion as a Leader in China

(The Giant Wild Goose Pagoda, constructed during Wu’s reign (China Discovery, n.d.)) Wu’s time as a Buddhist nun after the death of Emperor Taizong must have really made an impact, because as Wu rose to power, she pushed hard to promote Buddhism to the state religion of China. Of course, we wouldn’t be mentioning this …

A Subtle Hand: Wu’s use of Subterfuge as a Tactic

(Maybe this is what Wu’s meeting with Gauzong looked like. (Ancient Origins, 2019)) Wu Zetian was a woman (shocker), but in 7th century China it was difficult for women to acquire power. The Shangshu, or Book of Documents, the foundation of Chinese political philosophy throughout history, outright opposes women holding power in ancient China (McMahon, …