武

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Wu Zetian武则天

TangHistory × Fiction

Empress of Emperor Gaozong of Tang, later proclaimed herself emperor.

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DIRECT FIGURES
55
RELATION RECORDS
93
SOURCE WORKS
5

RELATIONSHIP COMPASS

Wu Zetian, and the people around them.

Open one chapter at a time. Each chapter gives the relationship first, then the source text behind it.

01
KINSHIP

Kinship

Blood, marriage and sworn bonds

7 figures · 10 records
4 more in the complete record
02
ALLEGIANCE

Allegiance

Rulers, appointments and allegiance

15 figures · 20 records
12 more in the complete record
03
CONFLICT

Conflict

Battles, captures and defeat

5 figures · 5 records
2 more in the complete record
04
THE UNSEEN

Mythic acts

Transformation, aid and divine punishment

4 figures · 5 records
1 more in the complete record
Complete relationships and verbatim sources ↓Open in the civilization atlas ↗

12 key relationships are shown here. The complete record remains below.

In history · History of Song · Old Book of Tang

Empress of Emperor Gaozong of Tang, later proclaimed herself emperor.

In fiction · Extensive Records of the Taiping Era · New Book of Tang · Romance of Sui and Tang

Selected as a talented lady, settled in Fusui Palace, and received favor. She was a talented lady of Emperor Taizong of Tang, later had an affair with the Prince of Jin, and left the palace to become a nun. She was a consort of Emperor Gaozong of Tang, later became empress, ruled behind a curtain, and was ruthless.

Across source works

How this figure changes across texts

Works are shown side by side, not as a chronology. No influence between texts is inferred.

  1. Official history

    Old Book of Tang

    74 profile notes
    31 relations47 verified quotations
    • Li Shimin→ favor →Wu Zetian
    • Wu Zetian→ grandparent-grandchild →Emperor Xuanzong of Tang
    • Wu Zetian→ posthumously enfeoff →Confucius
    • Wu Zetian→ confer title →Emperor Gaozong of Song
    Verified original text · 47
    1. 太宗闻其美容止，召入宫，立为才人。

      召入宫 · Old Book of Tang, 则天皇后本纪

    2. 则天大圣皇后大享昊天乐章十二首

      mother-son · Old Book of Tang, 音乐志三

    45 more verified quotations in the relationship records below.

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  2. Official history

    History of Song

    1 profile notes
    0 relations0 verified quotations

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  3. Literature / legend

    Romance of Sui and Tang

    9 profile notes
    11 relations14 verified quotations
    • Li Shimin→ favor →Wu Zetian
    • Emperor Gaozong of Tang→ make empress →Wu Zetian
    • Wu Zetian→ spouse →Emperor Gaozong of Tang
    • Wu Zetian→ mother-son →Emperor Zhongzong of Tang
    Verified original text · 14
    1. 只选武媚娘为才人，安顿福绥宫，宠幸无比

      favor · Romance of Sui and Tang, 068

    2. 太宗突然临幸

      favor · Romance of Sui and Tang, 070

    12 more verified quotations in the relationship records below.

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  4. 30 profile notes
    1 relations1 verified quotations
    • Emperor Xuanzong of Tang→ grandmother →Wu Zetian
    Verified original text · 1
    1. 唐天后尝召诸皇孙

      grandmother · Extensive Records of the Taiping Era, 宝二

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  5. Official history

    New Book of Tang

    26 profile notes
    19 relations24 verified quotations
    • Li Shimin→ favor →Wu Zetian
    • Wu Zetian→ posthumously enfeoff →Confucius
    • Emperor Gaozong of Tang→ spouse →Wu Zetian
    • Emperor Gaozong of Tang→ make empress →Wu Zetian
    Verified original text · 24
    1. 太宗闻其有色，选为才人。

      选为才人 · New Book of Tang, 则天皇后中宗本纪

    2. 孔子为隆道公

      enfeoff as duke · New Book of Tang, 则天皇后中宗本纪

    22 more verified quotations in the relationship records below.

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History vs. fiction

The historical novel vividly depicts Wu Zetian's rivalry for favor and prophetic plots.

  • based on factWhat are the similarities and differences in Wu Zetian's initial entry into the palace?

    The official history records her entry into the palace and her deposition. The Old Book of Tang, Annals of Empress Wu Zetian, records: 'Emperor Taizong heard of her beautiful appearance and summoned her to the palace, establishing her as a talented person.' The novel Romance of the Sui and Tang Dynasties, chapter 70, dramatizes her gaining favor and the rumor of a secret record: 'At that time, Venus appeared frequently in the daytime, and the Grand Astrologer divined that a woman would become sovereign. The people also spread a secret record saying: "After three generations of Tang, the female sovereign Wu will rule the world."'

Relationship network

36 figures · 213 links
Wu ZetianWu ZetianEmperor Xuanzong of TangEmperor Xuanzong of TangLi ShiminLi ShiminConfuciusConfuciusEmperor Gaozong of SongEmperor Gaozong of SongEmperor Gaozong of TangEmperor Gaozong of TangEmperor Zhongzong of TangEmperor Zhongzong of TangZhang YueZhang YueSong JingSong JingPrincess TaipingPrincess TaipingWu SansiWu SansiZhang YizhiLai JunchenTaishang LaojunKing Wen of ZhouEmperor GaozongYao ChongWei YuanzhongWu ChengsiMo ChuoEmpress XiaoZhang ChangzongZong ChukeLi YifuLi QiaoYang SuLiu RenguiZhou XingXue RenguiZhang JianzhiXu JingyeGuo YuanzhenZhang JiazhenWei AnshiWang FangqingPei Yan
historyliteraturedual
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Sources: Extensive Records of the Taiping Era, 儒行; History of Song, 奸臣传一; New Book of Tang, 三宗诸子传; Old Book of Tang, 东夷传上; Romance of Sui and Tang, 068; Extensive Records of the Taiping Era, 冢墓一; New Book of Tang, 二王韦陆二李杜传; Old Book of Tang, 中宗睿宗本纪

This page was extracted from classical texts with AI assistance and revised; errors remain possible. Spotted a mistake? Tell us →

Compiled with AI assistance from public-domain texts; for cultural reference. Mythological accounts vary — corrections welcome.