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kilenavictwrites · 15 days ago

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HAREM SYSTEM & EIGHT BANNERS

HAREM HIERARCHY

1. Empress (皇后; huánghòu) 2. Imperial Noble Consort (皇貴妃; huángguìfēi) 3. Noble Consort (貴妃; guìfēi) 4. Consort (妃; fēi) 5. Concubine (嬪; pín) 6. Concubine 7. Noble Lady (貴人; guìrén) 8. First Class Attendant (常在; chángzài) 9. Second Class Attendant (答應; dāyìng)

Ceremonial Entourage:

Empress: Yíjià (仪驾) – the most elaborate ceremonial entourage. Imperial Noble Consort and Noble Consorts: Yízhàng (仪仗) – slightly less elaborate. Consorts and Concubines: Cǎizhàng (彩仗) – the least elaborate. Lower-ranked women (Noble Lady, Attendants): No sedan chair unless granted by the emperor. Posthumous Titles: Empress: Receives a 16-character posthumous title, starting with "filial" (孝; Xiào) and ending with the emperor's name. Imperial Noble Consort: Receives a shorter two-character posthumous title. Special Titles: Empress Dowager (皇太后; Huángtàihòu): The empress who outlives the emperor. Grand Empress Dowager (太皇太后; Tàihuángtàihòu): An empress dowager who outlives multiple emperors. Noble Consort Dowager (貴太妃; Guìtàifēi) and Imperial Noble Consort Dowager (皇貴太妃; Huángguìtàifēi): Dowagers from lower ranks. Other Consorts: May be referred to as dowagers (太; Tài) and assigned titles based on their rank at the time of the emperor's death. Prince's Harem: Primary Consort: 嫡福晋 (Dífújìn) – The official wife of the prince. Secondary Consort: 侧福晋 (Cèfújìn) – Second wives of the prince. Mistress: 格格 (Gége) – Women from lower-status families, sometimes gifted or from dowry maids.

The Qing Dynasty establishes a simple and structured imperial harem system, consisting of eight official ranks. At the top is the Empress (皇后; Huánghòu), the emperor's only legal wife and head of the inner court. Below her are the Imperial Noble Consort (皇貴妃; Huángguìfēi), Noble Consort (貴妃; Guìfēi), Consort (妃; Fēi), Concubine (嬪; Pín), Noble Lady (貴人; Guìrén), First Class Attendant (常在; Chángzài), and Second Class Attendant (答應; Dāyìng). Women ranked as Concubine or higher live in the main palace quarters and are addressed as "Your Imperial Highness" (娘娘; Níangníang), while lower-ranked women, such as Noble Ladies and Attendants, reside in side halls with fewer privileges.

Privileges and ceremonial practices differ by rank. Women ranked as Concubine or above are entitled to a sedan chair carried by eunuchs and accompanied by an entourage. The empress's ceremonial entourage, yíjià (仪驾), is the most elaborate, followed by yízhàng (仪仗) for Imperial Noble Consorts and Noble Consorts, and cǎizhàng (彩仗) for Consorts and Concubines. Lower-ranked women can only use a sedan chair with the emperor's permission.

The empress plays a key role in succession as the mother of legitimate heirs (嫡子; Dízǐ), who have the highest priority for the throne. The children of other consorts are considered imperial concubines' children (庶子; Shùzǐ) and hold lesser status. Upon becoming emperor, a prince can posthumously promote late consorts or mistresses to higher ranks, granting them new titles. Empresses receive 16-character posthumous names starting with "filial" (孝; Xiào) and ending with the emperor's name, while Imperial Noble Consorts receive two-character titles.

The rank of Imperial Noble Consort, often seen as a deputy empress (副后; Fùhòu), is granted carefully, typically under special circumstances such as consoling an ailing consort or managing court affairs in the absence of an empress. After an emperor's death, his empress becomes the Empress Dowager (皇太后; Huángtàihòu). If she outlives multiple emperors, she can become the Grand Empress Dowager (太皇太后; Tàihuángtàihòu). Other consorts can receive titles prefixed with tài (太) to signify their retirement rank, while lower-ranked women are referred to as "palace women of the late emperor" (先帝宮女; Xiāndì Gōngnǚ).

Princes maintain smaller harems with three ranks: the Primary Consort (嫡福晋; Dífújìn), the official wife; Secondary Consorts (侧福晋; Cèfújìn), the second wives; and Mistresses (格格; Gége), typically women from lower-status families or gifts from court officials. This structured system reflects the Qing Dynasty's commitment to maintaining a clear hierarchy within the royal court.

THE EIGHT BANNERS

FUNCTIONS OF THE BANNERS

MILITARY: Each banner served as a self-sufficient military unit. Members were required to be ready for battle and were instrumental in Qing conquests.

SOCIAL: Banner membership was hereditary and determined an individual's identity, status, and privileges.

ADMINISTRATIVE: The banners also acted as administrative units, especially in Manchu communities, handling taxation, education, and governance.

COMPOSITION

MANCHU BANNERS: Formed the core of the system.

MONGOL BANNERS: Included allied Mongol tribes who supported the Qing.

HAN CHINESE BANNERS: Integrated Han Chinese who had defected or joined the Qing forces. Hierarchy Within the Banners

BANNER COMMANDERS (旗主): Controlled individual banners, often drawn from the imperial family or trusted nobility.

GENERALS AND OFFICERS: High-ranking military officials responsible for leadership in battles.

ORDINARY BANNER MEMBERS: Soldiers and civilians with hereditary banner membership.

PRIVILEGES OF BANNER MEMBERS

Stipends and tax exemptions.

Exclusive access to official posts in the civil and military administration.

Protection under distinct banner laws.

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