Ma of Han – The Confucian Empress

Empress Dowager Ma has been known to be one of China’s most virtuous empresses. As an empress, she lived a life of frugality. She lived by Confucian principles and won the respect and admiration of two emperors. Empress Dowager Ma has also been known for being an accomplished female writer. Her works have received literary praise over the centuries. Thus, Empress Dowager Ma has been known for her notable achievements.

Empress Dowager Ma was born in Maling (modern-day Xinping, Shanxi) around 39 C.E.^[1] Her complete name is unknown. She was the youngest daughter and the fourth child of her family.^[2] Ma had to grow up quickly. When she was ten years old, her father, Ma Yuan, died in a military expedition against the Xi (an ethnic group in Wuxi).^[3] After his death, her mother suffered depression that quickly resulted in a mental disorder.^[4] Thus, the child had to manage her family. She was so efficient in running the household that her siblings were impressed with her organizational skills.^[5]

Ma was selected to become a concubine for the Crown Prince, Liu Zhuang, when she was thirteen.^[6] She gained the admiration of Empress Yin with her modesty and devotion.^[7] Consort Ma was known to be graceful and slender.^[8] Yet, her defining feature was her beautiful hair. “She liked to comb up from the hairline into a big knot around which she coiled the rest of her hair three times.”^[9] Because of these features, the Crown Prince fell in love with her, and she became his favourite concubine.^[10]

In February 57 C.E., Emperor Guangwu died. Liu Zhuang ascended the throne as Emperor Ming. He did not appoint an empress because Consort Ma was still childless.^[11] He promoted Ma to Worthy Lady (the rank below Empress) and let her adopt one of his sons.^[12] Her adopted son was Liu Da (the future Emperor Zhang). Lady Ma was very joyful now that she had a son. She loved Liu Da and spent most of her time raising him.^[13] In 60 C. E., officials demanded Emperor Ming appoint an Empress.^[14] He loved Lady Ma for all her virtues and believed she had the qualifications of a model empress.^[15] Thus, he installed her as Empress.

Empress Ma became an ideal empress.^[16] She lived very frugally.^[17] She wore coarse clothes, which shocked Emperor Ming’s concubines.^[18] Empress Ma was also an avid reader and would often spend her free time reading the classics.^[19] Emperor Ming admired her love of reading. He decided to send her his memorials from the court and asked her opinion on state affairs.^[20] One piece of advice was to grant amnesty to many prisoners.^[21] Even though Emperor Ming asked her advice on state affairs, chroniclers claim that she never meddled in politics.^[22] She even refused the opportunity to promote her brothers.^[23] This earned her praise from historians because she ensured that her brothers could never become powerful enough to harm the dynasty.^[24]

In 75 C. E., Emperor Ming died. Her adopted son Liu Da ascended the throne as Emperor Zhang. Ma became Empress Dowager. During his reign, Empress Dowager Ma still kept her frugal way of life.^[25] She watched her Ma clan to ensure they were also living frugally.^[26] If any member of her clan was not living frugally, she would punish her family member by removing his name from the clan register.^[27] Any member of her clan that continued to lead a righteous and humble life would be rewarded.^[28]

One of Empress Dowager Ma’s leisure pursuits was to watch the silkworms in the weaving room.^[29] She loved reading and writing. She wrote a chronicle of her late husband’s reign called Annotations on the Daily Life of Emperor Ming.^[30] She also wrote The Way of Living According to Xuan Zhang, which taught the sons of Emperor Zhang statecraft.^[31] Emperor Dowager Ma was in charge of the princes’ education and made sure they were well instructed in Confucian principles.^[32] Emperor Zhang even consulted her on political matters.^[33] 

In 79 C.E., the empire was very prosperous.^[34] Emperor Zhang decided to promote Empress Dowager Ma’s brothers, but she stubbornly urged him not to promote them.^[35] Thus, her brothers’ promotion never happened. Shortly after her refusal, Empress Dowager Ma fell ill. On 16 August 79 C.E., she died at the age of forty.^[36] She was buried next to her husband in the tomb of Xian Jie.^[37] Thus, Empress Dowager Ma was a model example of a Confucian Empress.

Sources:

Ruizhi, S. (2015). Notable Women of China: Shang Dynasty to the Early Twentieth Century. (B. B. Peterson, Ed.; M. Li, Trans.).London: Routledge.

Sun, K. T. (2015). Biographical Dictionary of Chinese Women: Antiquity Through Sui, 1600 B.C.E. – 618 C.E. (L. X. H. Lee, Ed.; A. D. Stefanowska, Ed.; S. Wiles, Ed.;  W. Che, Trans.). NY: Routledge.

McMahon, K. (2013). Women Shall Not Rule: Imperial Wives and Concubines in China from Han to Liao. NY: Rowman and Littlefield.