Wu Zetian (Emperor Wu Zhao of Zhou)
Monarchs, Kings & Royalty • Historical Archive • 🇨🇳 China • 10 views

Wu Zetian (Emperor Wu Zhao of Zhou) 🇨🇳

武則天 (Wu Zhao / Sacred and Divine Emperor) (Known as "Wu Zetian")
Sole Female Emperor of China, Founder of the Zhou Dynasty, Reformer of Civil Service Examinations
Born 17 February 624 CE 🇨🇳 Lizhou (Sichuan), China
Passed Away 16 December 705 CE Shangyang Palace (Luoyang), China
Lifespan 81 years old
10 views
Notice / Correction
"My deeds and sins are open before heaven and earth. Let an uncarved stele stand over my grave, for future generations alone shall write my judgment."

Archival Overview

The only female emperor in four millennia of Chinese history. Founded her own Zhou Dynasty (690–705 CE), broke the hereditary aristocracy by promoting scholars through meritocratic imperial examinations, and commissioned the colossal Longmen Grottoes Buddhas.

Biographical Record

Entering Emperor Taizong's court as a low-ranking concubine, Wu Zetian navigated ferocious palace intrigue to become Empress Consort to Emperor Gaozong. Displaying unmatched administrative skill, she assumed de facto power, eventually declaring herself Emperor Regnant in 690 CE.

She created new written characters, elevated agriculture, reduced peasant taxes, and commissioned the monumental 17-meter Vairocana Buddha at Longmen Grottoes (modeled on her own facial features). At her death, she requested a famous blank stele (Wuzi Bei) so history alone would judge her deeds.

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Final Resting Place

Perpetual Memorial
Qianling Mausoleum (The Uncarved Stele)
Shangyang Palace (Luoyang), China
GPS: 34.5736, 108.2178
View on Memory Atlas
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