The Strong and Wise Women of China's Past

By staff reporter HUO JIANYING

To be a female depicted in Peking Opera is to represent one of the few heroines of Chinese history. They must possess outstanding morals and politically savvy, be highly educated or martial arts experts. Of these strong women characters the most prominent is Zhong Wuyan.

Wise and Valiant Zhong

Zhong Wuyan in Peking Opera. The lotus on her forehead distinguishes her from male roles. Huo Jianying

Zhong lived in the State of Qi during the Warring States Period (475-221 B.C.), and was named after her birthplace Wuyan. Her legend has been staged in traditional operas for centuries and adapted into six films.

According to ancient documents, Zhong was extraordinarily unshapely -- she possessed a projecting forehead, deep-set eyes, a potbelly, big knuckles, an upturned nose, a disproportionately big head with scant hair, and had dark skin. Owing to her unprepossessing looks, Zhong remained single until the age of 40. Far from being frustrated, she delved into books and martial arts.

As its name implies, the Warring States Period was an era when a number of small states fought perennially for land and power. The Qi monarch, King Xuan, was a confirmed hedonist and negligent ruler.

Zhong Wuyan was deeply concerned about the fate of her country at this time, so she went to the palace to offer herself as the king's maiden. All in the palace tittered at the sight of her. The king was also amused. "How can a woman like you even think of entering the palace?" he said. "Do you have any special faculty?" to which Zhong replied, "I have no faculty but for asking riddles." At the king's request for a demonstration, Zhong raised her eyes, opened her mouth, lifted her arms and patted her lap, saying: "Danger, danger."

The king and courtiers were nonplussed. Zhong explained: "I raised my eyes to observe the world situation, only to find that the states Qin and Chu covet Qi and are ready to invade us. I opened my mouth to help the officials speak without reservation. I raised my arms to dispel the sycophants around Your Majesty. And I tapped my lap to tear down the towers and pavilions for drinking and debauchery." King Xuan was incensed at Zhong's words and ordered that she be decapitated.

Zhong calmly pled her justification. She analyzed the threat Qi faced from its neighbors and the possible grievous consequence of the king's behavior, urging him to appoint capable officials, to be mindful of the people and have more lofty pursuits than just pleasure. Convinced and moved by this argument, the king declared: "If not for Zhong Wuyan's words, my country would be at risk." He kept Zhong in his palace, and later made her his queen.

Thanks to Zhong's assistance, King Xuan mended his ways. After reclaiming a dozen cities formerly occupied by enemies, Qi grew into one of the few states powerful enough to contend with the Qin to the west. In addition to her political providence, Zhong Wuyan proved to be an ingenious militarist, commanding armies and planning strategies, and fighting in actual battles.

The king's marriage to Zhong was politically motivated. Out of his large harem, he most adored a concubine named Xia Yingchun rather than his able but unattractive queen. From this arrangement comes the folk saying "Zhong Wuyan in time of trouble, Xia Yingchun in time of peace." But it is Zhong Wuyan who is remembered and revered by generations.

Mother of the State

A Northern Dynasties (386-534 A.D.) painting.

The four best known women in Chinese history that were not beauties came from different historical periods and social levels -- Zhong Wuyan, Momu, Meng Guang and Ruan Nu -- all of them outstandingly virtuous and talented.

Momu is a legendary figure from prehistoric times. Gracious and bright, she was admired by the Yellow Emperor, forefather of the Chinese People, and eventually became his fourth wife. After their marriage, Momu taught tribeswomen morals, and helped her husband defeat tribe chief Yan and unify the Central Plains.

Women outside elite circles could therefore ascend to national fame, and also have loving and happy marriages, as testified by Meng Guang and Ruan Nu.

Superior Character

Liang Hong was born into a poor family during the Eastern Han Dynasty (2 -220). When after years of assiduous study he became a renowned scholar, many local families offered their daughters for marriage. Despising the wealthy and snobbish, Liang rejected all of them, and married neighbor Meng Guang, who was far from fair but very intelligent. During the first week of their honeymoon, the bride was conventionally swathed in fine clothes. Liang was sullen and loath to speak to her. On the eighth day, Meng put aside her fine dresses and jewelry, changed into a housecoat and set to work. Liang glowed with delight. When Liang later offended a dignitary and had to flee his hometown. Meng went with him without complaint. On his returning from the field each day she would serve him food on a tray raised to eyebrow level to show respect and affection for her husband. The pair lived a pastoral life, and remained loving lifelong. This story gave rise to the phrase "¾Ù°¸Æëü" (holding the tray level with brows), meaning a husband and wife should treat each other with courtesy.

On Ruan Nu's wedding night, her husband Xu Yun was so disappointed with her looks that he immediately turned to leave the bridal chamber. Ruan clutched at his clothes to stop him. In their tussle the angry bridegroom contended: "Women are expected to have four virtues - high morality, appropriate speech and pleasing appearance, as well as good fulfillment of their duty. Which do you have?" Ruan refuted: "The only one I lack is a pleasing appearance. But educated men are required to possess 100 essential merits. How many do you have?" "All of them." Xu replied. Ruan countered: "The most significant merit is good moral character. How can you believe you are impeccable when you value a woman's outward appearance more than her heart?" Xu was reduced to silence, stricken by his bride's polemic and insight. After living together for some time Xu was further convinced of Ruan's accomplishments in learning and self-cultivation. The couple spent the rest of their married life in harmony.

Women and Philosophy

The most famous unlovely woman in China is a fabled one -- Dong Shi.

Zhuang Zhou, a Taoist philosopher (400 B.C.), wrote about Dong Shi in his masterpiece Zhuang Zi. He told of a peerless beauty named Xi Shi in the state of Yue, saying that as beautiful women are inevitably harried by heartache, Xi always walked around clutching her chest with a frown upon her face. The far less attractive Dong Shi, who lived in the same village, presumed that Xi Shi's appeal came from her way of walking, and so imitated her. But this affected manner made the girl even more unappealing, causing some villagers to slam their doors or avert their children's eyes when in sight of her.

This allegory challenges Confucius' concepts of feudal laws and proprieties. Zhuang Zhou contended that Confucius abided by laws and proprieties of the former dynasty that were unsuited to the current time and rule. He believed that conventions should be adapted to their times, as failure to do so would be as ridiculous as boating on land or dressing a monkey. The story of Dong Shi is an example Zhuang Zhou gave to back up his argument, demonstrating that what made Dong Shi grotesque was not primarily her visage but her crude imitation.

As time passed, the philosopher's reasoning on rule of state fell into oblivion, but his story of Dong Shi evolved into the household idiom ¶«Ê©Ð§ò­ (Dong Shi knits brows to imitate Xi Shi), a warning to people not to ape others.

Mencius is quoted as saying more than 2,000 years ago: "A rich and splendid spirit is beautiful." This opinion coincides with modern esthetics. Real beauty exudes from the inner rather than the superficial self, and can stand the test of time.