Queen Bo Ying was Queen to King Ping of Chu. She was the mother of King Zhao of Chu. Yet, Queen Bo Ying has been praised for being able to prevent a conquering King from raping her.[1] Queen Bo Ying has been praised for being a faithful and devoted Queen to King Ping of Chu.[2] However, historians have also praised her intellect and courage in fighting her would-be rapist, King Helu of Wu.[3]
Queen Bo Ying was born sometime in the sixth century B.C.E.[4] She lived during the Spring and Autumn period, which lasted from 771 to 453 B.C.E. During this period, Chinese states were declaring their own independence from the ruling Zhou Dynasty to form their own dynasties.[5] She was a Princess of Qin.[6] She was from the Ying clan.[7] Historians believe her father was most likely Duke Ai of Qin.[8]
Princess Bo Ying married King Ping of Chu. Bo Ying became Queen of Chu. She gave birth to a son named Prince Zhao.[9] In 516 B.C.E., King Ping of Chu died. In 515 B.C.E., Prince Zhao became King of Chu.
In 506 B.C.E., King Helu of Wu attacked Ying (Chu’s capital city).[10] King Zhao of Chu fled to Qin. King Helu of Wu attempted to rape Queen Bo Ying.[11] However, she took a knife and fought him. She even threatened to kill herself for chastity.[12] She also scolded King Helu of Wu for abandoning his principles.[13] King Helu of Wu was so ashamed of his actions that he imprisoned her in the women’s quarters for a month.[14] King Zhao of Chu finally rescued her.[15] He brought reinforcements from Qin to Chu. This forced King Helu of Wu to leave Chu.[16] Queen Bo Ying’s death is unknown because ancient chroniclers do not mention her after her attempted rape.[17]
Queen Bo Ying has gained the admiration of Confucian scholars because of her courage in fighting her would-be rapist and lecturing him on morality.[18] However, Queen Bo Ying proved that she was also intelligent as well as chaste.[19] She used her intellect to capably handle her situation against sexual violence.[20] While there is not enough information known about her, it is clear that she was a bold Queen.[21] In Biographies of Eminent Women, Queen Bo Ying is categorized under “Biographies of the Chaste and Obedient.” [22] Thus, she has continued to be admired for her courage and determination against sexual violence for over two thousand years.
Sources:
Cook, C. A. (2015). “Bo Ying, Wife of King Ping of Chu”. 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.). NY: Routledge. pp. 8-9.
Eno, R. (2010). 1.7. Spring and Autumn China (771-453). Indiana University, PDF.
Liu, X., Kinney, A. B. (2014). Exemplary Women of Early China: The Lienü Zhuan of Liu Xiang. United Kingdom: Columbia University Press.
[1] Cook, 2015
[2] Cook, 2015
[3] Cook, 2015
[4] Cook, 2015
[5] Eno, 2010
[6] Liu & Kinney, 2014
[7] Liu & Kinney, 2014; Cook, 2015
[8] Liu & Kinney, 2014; Cook, 2015
[9] Liu & Kinney, 2014
[10] Liu & Kinney, 2014
[11] Cook, 2015; Liu & Kinney, 2014
[12] Cook, 2015
[13] Cook, 2015
[14] Cook, 2015
[15] Liu & Kinney, 2014
[16] Liu & Kinney, 2014
[17] Cook, 2015
[18] Cook, 2015
[19] Cook, 2015
[20] Cook, 2015
[21] Cook, 2015
[22] Cook, 2015, p. 8
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