Bumbutai (; mnc, m= ; zh, 布木布泰; 28 March 1613 – 27 January 1688), of the Khorchin Mongol Borjigit clan, was the consort of

Hong Taiji Hong Taiji (28 November 1592 – 21 September 1643), also rendered as Huang Taiji and sometimes referred to as Abahai in Western literature, also known by his temple name as the Emperor Taizong of Qing, was the second khan of the Later Jin ...

. She was 21 years his junior. She was honoured as Empress Dowager Zhaosheng during the reign of her son, Fulin, the Shunzhi Emperor, and as Grand Empress Dowager Zhaosheng during the reign of her grandson, Xuanye, the Kangxi Emperor. As

empress dowager Empress dowager (also dowager empress or empress mother; ) is the English language translation of the title given to the mother or widow of a monarch, especially in regards to Chinese, Japanese, Korean, or Vietnamese monarchs in the Chines ...

and

grand empress dowager Grand empress dowager (also grand dowager empress or grand empress mother) ( (太皇太后) was a title given to the grandmother, or a woman from the same generation, of a Chinese, Japanese, Korean, or Vietnamese emperor in the Chinese cultur ...

, she had significant influence in the Qing imperial court and was highly respected for her political wisdom and insight. After her death, she was posthumously honoured with the title Empress Xiaozhuangwen, although she never held the rank of empress consort during her lifetime.

Life

Family background

* Father: Zhaisang (), held the title of a first rank prince () ** Paternal grandfather: Manggusi (), held the title of a first rank prince () ** Paternal aunt: Empress Xiaoduanwen (1599–1649) * Mother: Boli (; d. 1654) * Four elder brothers * One elder sister ** Primary consort Minhui (1609–1641)

Wanli era

Bumbutai was born on the eighth day of the intercalary second

lunar Lunar most commonly means "of or relating to the Moon". Lunar may also refer to: Arts and entertainment * ''Lunar'' (series), a series of video games * "Lunar" (song), by David Guetta * "Lunar", a song by Priestess from the 2009 album ''Prior t ...

month in the 41st year of the reign of the

Wanli Emperor The Wanli Emperor (4 September 1563 – 18 August 1620), also known by his temple name as the Emperor Shenzong of Ming, personal name Zhu Yijun, art name Yuzhai, was the 14th List of emperors of the Ming dynasty, emperor of the Ming dynasty, reig ...

, which translates to 28 March 1613 in the

Gregorian calendar The Gregorian calendar is the calendar used in most parts of the world. It went into effect in October 1582 following the papal bull issued by Pope Gregory XIII, which introduced it as a modification of, and replacement for, the Julian cale ...

Tianming era

In March or April 1625, Bumbutai married

and became one of his multiple wives. Prior to this, the Khorchin Mongols had sent Hong Taiji another woman, Jerjer, the future Empress Xiaoduanwen, on 28 May 1614, to strengthen the relationship between the Qing dynasty and the Khorchin. Bumbutai's elder sister, Harjol, the future primary consort Minhui, would marry Hong Taiji on 6 December 1634.

Chongde era

Bumbutai gave birth on 31 January 1629 to Hong Taiji's fourth daughter, Princess Yongmu of the First Rank, on 2 March 1632 to his fifth daughter, Princess Shuhui of the First Rank, and on 16 December 1633 to his seventh daughter, Princess Shuzhe of the First Rank. When Hong Taiji conferred titles on his five primary spouses in August 1636, Bumbutai was named "Consort Zhuang" of Yongfu Palace (永福宮). On 15 March 1638, Consort Zhuang gave birth to Hong Taiji's ninth son,

Fulin The Shunzhi Emperor (15 March 1638 – 5 February 1661), also known by his temple name Emperor Shizu of Qing, personal name Fulin, was the second emperor of the Qing dynasty, and the first Qing emperor to rule over China proper. Upon the deat ...

Shunzhi era

Hong Taiji died on 21 September 1643 and was succeeded by Fulin, who was enthroned as the Shunzhi Emperor. Bumbutai, as the mother of the reigning emperor, was honoured with the title "Holy Mother, Empress Dowager" with honorary name "Zhaosheng". Her aunt Jerjer, as the empress consort of the previous emperor, was similarly honored as "Mother Empress, Empress Dowager". Hong Taiji's younger half-brother,

Dorgon Dorgon (17 November 1612 – 31 December 1650) was a Manchu prince and regent of the early Qing dynasty. Born in the House of Aisin-Gioro as the 14th son of Nurhaci (the founder of the Later Jin dynasty, which was the predecessor of the Qi ...

, was appointed as

prince regent A prince regent or princess regent is a prince or princess who, due to their position in the line of succession, rules a monarchy as regent in the stead of a monarch, e.g., as a result of the sovereign's incapacity (minority or illness) or ab ...

to rule on behalf of the Shunzhi Emperor until the emperor reached adulthood. After Dorgon died on 31 December 1650, the Shunzhi Emperor posthumously stripped him of his princely title and had his dead body exhumed and mutilated. It is believed – though not supported by historical evidence – that Empress Dowager Zhaosheng secretly married Dorgon after Hong Taiji's death, since

levirate marriage Levirate marriage is a type of marriage in which the brother of a deceased man is obliged to marry his brother's widow. Levirate marriage has been practiced by societies with a strong clan structure in which exogamous marriage (i.e. marriage o ...

was common among Mongols.

Kangxi era

Empress Dowager Zhaosheng kept a low profile during the reign of her son and had little interference in politics. The Shunzhi Emperor died on 5 February 1661 and was succeeded by his third son Xuanye, who was enthroned as the Kangxi Emperor. As the grandmother of the reigning emperor, she was honored as "Grand Empress Dowager Zhaosheng". Since the emperor was underage at the time, the

Four Regents of the Kangxi Emperor The Four Regents of the Kangxi Emperor were nominated by the Shunzhi Emperor to oversee the government of the Qing dynasty during the early reign of the Kangxi Emperor before he came of age. The four were Sonin, Ebilun, Suksaha, and Oboi. Backgr ...

, appointed by the Shunzhi Emperor, ruled on his behalf until he reached adulthood. During this time, Grand Empress Dowager Zhaosheng advised her grandson to learn from the regents and took charge of his upbringing after the emperor's mother died. When the Kangxi Emperor grew up and began his personal rule in 1667, he felt threatened by the strong influence of

Oboi Oboi (Manchu: , Mölendorff: Oboi; ) (c. 1610–1669) was a prominent Manchu military commander and courtier who served in various military and administrative posts under three successive emperors of the early Qing dynasty. Born to the Guwalg ...

, one of the four regents. Two years later, Grand Empress Dowager Zhaosheng assisted her grandson in his plans to get rid of Oboi. Oboi was lured into a trap (forced to sit on a broken chair), placed under arrest, and removed from power. Throughout her life, Bumbutai disliked living in the Forbidden City, despite the luxurious conditions it offered. She also refused to hold any birthday celebrations as she felt that it would be costly. When Grand Empress Dowager Zhaosheng fell sick in the autumn of 1687, the Kangxi Emperor personally took care of his grandmother. She died on 27 January 1688.

Titles

* During the reign of the

(r. 1572–1620): ** Lady Borjigit (from 28 March 1613) * During the reign of

Nurhaci Nurhaci (14 May 1559 – 30 September 1626), also known by his temple name as the Emperor Taizu of Qing, was the founding khan of the Jurchen people, Jurchen-led Later Jin (1616–1636), Later Jin dynasty. As the leader of the House of Aisin-Gi ...

(r. 1616–1626): ** Secondary consort (; from March/April 1625) * During the reign of

(r. 1626–1643): ** Consort Zhuang (; from August 1636), fourth rank consort * During the reign of the

Shunzhi Emperor The Shunzhi Emperor (15 March 1638 – 5 February 1661), also known by his temple name Emperor Shizu of Qing, personal name Fulin, was the second Emperor of China, emperor of the Qing dynasty, and the first Qing emperor to rule over China pro ...

(r. 1643–1661): ** Empress Dowager Zhaosheng (; from 21 September 1643) * During the reign of the

Kangxi Emperor The Kangxi Emperor (4 May 165420 December 1722), also known by his temple name Emperor Shengzu of Qing, personal name Xuanye, was the third emperor of the Qing dynasty, and the second Qing emperor to rule over China proper. His reign of 61 ...

(r. 1661–1722): ** Grand Empress Dowager Zhaosheng (; from 5 February 1661) ** ''Empress Xiaozhuangwen'' (; from October/November 1688康熙二十七年十月)

Issue

* As secondary consort: ** Princess Yongmu of the First Rank (; 31 January 1629 – February/March 1678), personal name Yatu (), Hong Taiji's fourth daughter *** Married Birtakhar (; d. 1667) of the Khorchin Borjigit clan in 1641 ** Princess Shuhui of the First Rank (; 2 March 1632 – 28 February 1700), personal name Atu (), Hong Taiji's fifth daughter *** Married Suo'erha () of the Khalkha Borjigit clan in 1643 *** Married Sabdan (; d. 1667) of the Barin Borjigit clan in 1648 ** Princess Shuzhe of the First Rank (; 16 December 1633 – February/March 1648), Hong Taiji's seventh daughter *** Married Lamasi () of the Jarud Borjigit clan in 1645 * As Consort Zhuang: ** Fulin (; 15 March 1638 – 5 February 1661), Hong Taiji's ninth son, enthroned on 8 October 1643 as the

Portraits

File:Consort Zhuang in court costume.jpg, "Portrait of Consort Zhuang in court costume" (莊妃朝服像) painted on a paper scroll (92 x 53 cm). File:孝莊文皇后.jpg, Official imperial portrait of Bumbutai, Empress Dowager Zhaosheng.

Modern references

Literature

* ''Xiaozhuang Mishi'' (孝莊秘史), a novel about Bumbutai, written by Yang Haiwei (楊海薇). * ''Shaonian Tianzi'' (少年天子), a novel about the Shunzhi Emperor, written by Ling Li. *''The Green Phoenix: A Novel of'' ''the Woman Who Re-made Asia, Empress Xiaozhuang'', written by Alice Poon.

Television

* ''

The Rise and Fall of Qing Dynasty ''The Rise and Fall of Qing Dynasty'' ( Chinese: 滿清十三皇朝) is a long-running four part television series about the history of the Qing dynasty. The series was produced by Hong Kong's ATV and was aired on ATV Home from September 1987 to ...

'', a long-running Hong Kong television series about the history of the Qing dynasty. Bumbutai appears only in the first season, aired in 1987, in which she is portrayed by

Nora Miao Nora Miao (, born Chan Wing-man (); 8 February 1952) is a Hong Kong film actress. She is best known for appearing in many kung fu films in the 1970s, opposite Hong Kong action film stars such as Bruce Lee and Jackie Chan. Background Chan Wing-ma ...

. * ''Zhuangfei Yishi'' (莊妃軼事), a 1989 Chinese television series about Bumbutai, starring Bo Han (柏寒). * ''Yidai Huanghou Dayu'er'' (一代皇后大玉兒), a 1992 Taiwanese television series about Bumbutai, starring Angela Pan. * ''Xinyue Gege'' (新月格格), a 1995 Chinese romantic television series based on a novel by

Chiung Yao Chen Che (; 20April 19384December 2024), better known by her pen name Chiung Yao (), was a Taiwanese writer and film producer. The name ''Chiung Yao'' is a phrase taken from the ''Classic of Poetry'', where it means "splendid pure jade". Born ...

Leanne Liu Liu Sue-Hua, also known as Leanne Liu, is a Golden Bell Award-winning Hong Kong actress. She first starred in Shaw Brothers films in Hong Kong, but moved to Taiwan in the 1980s to focus on her television career. She is particularly famous for a ...

portrayed Bumbutai. * ''Princess Huai-yu'' (懷玉公主), a 2000 Taiwanese romantic television series.

portrayed Bumbutai. * '' Kangxi Dynasty'', a 2001 Chinese television series about the

Siqin Gaowa Siqin Gaowa (Mongolian Cyrillic ''Цэцэнгуа'', born 19 January 1950), born Duan Anlin, is a Chinese-born Swiss actress. She was born in Guangzhou to a Han Chinese father and a Mongols in China, Mongol Chinese mother. Her father died when s ...

portrayed Bumbutai. * ''Shaonian Tianzi'' (少年天子), a 2002 Chinese television series based on Ling Li's novel, starring

Pan Hong Pan Hong ( Chinese: 潘虹, born November 4, 1954) is a Chinese film actress. Early life Hong was born as Liu Ronghua (刘蓉华) on November 4, 1954, in Shanghai. During the Cultural Revolution, her parents were forced to divorce and as a res ...

as Bumbutai. * '' The Affaire in the Swing Age'', a 2003 Chinese television series depicting the events in the transition of the

Ming dynasty The Ming dynasty, officially the Great Ming, was an Dynasties of China, imperial dynasty of China that ruled from 1368 to 1644, following the collapse of the Mongol Empire, Mongol-led Yuan dynasty. The Ming was the last imperial dynasty of ...

to the

Qing dynasty The Qing dynasty ( ), officially the Great Qing, was a Manchu-led Dynasties of China, imperial dynasty of China and an early modern empire in East Asia. The last imperial dynasty in Chinese history, the Qing dynasty was preceded by the ...

. Niu Li portrayed Bumbutai, who was known as Consort Zhuang in the series. * '' Xiaozhuang Mishi'', a 2003 Chinese television series about Bumbutai, starring

Ning Jing Ning Jing (; born April 27, 1972) is a Chinese actress and singer. She is best known for playing Mi Lan in ''In the Heat of the Sun'' (1994), Danzhu in ''Red River Valley (1997 film), Red River Valley'' (1997), Angel in ''Lover's Grief over the ...

. * ''

Huang Taizi Mishi ''Huang Taizi Mishi'' is a 2004 Chinese television series produced by You Xiaogang. The series is the second instalment in a series of four television series about the history of the early Qing dynasty. It was preceded by '' Xiaozhuang Mishi'' (200 ...

'', a 2004 Chinese television series about

Yinreng Yunreng (6 June 1674 – 27 January 1725), born Yinreng, was a Manchu prince of the Qing dynasty. He was the second among the Kangxi Emperor's sons to survive into adulthood and was designated as Crown Prince for two terms between 1675 and ...

. Lü Zhong portrayed Bumbutai. * ''Sheizhu Chenfu'' (誰主沉浮), a 2005 Chinese television series depicting the events in the transition of the Ming dynasty to the Qing dynasty.

Liu Xiaoqing Liu Xiaoqing (born 30 October 1950) is a Chinese actress and businesswoman. One of the leading actresses in China in the 1980s, she is known for her roles in the films ''The'' ''Little Flower'' (1979)'', Reign Behind a Curtain'' (1983)'', The ...

portrayed Bumbutai. * ''Yanhua Sanyue'' (煙花三月), a 2005 Chinese television series about Nalan Rongruo.

Gua Ah-leh Grace Gua Ah-leh (born 2 June 1944) is a Taiwanese actress and singer. Gua has portrayed over 200 roles in film and television since 1965. She has won the Golden Horse Awards 4 times and the Golden Bell Awards twice. Life and career Also known ...

portrayed Bumbutai. * ''Shaonian Kangxi'' (少年康熙), a 2005 Chinese television series about Bumbutai and the young Kangxi Emperor, starring

and

Deng Chao Deng Chao ( zh, s=邓超, t=鄧超, p=Dèng Chāo, born 8 February 1979) is a Chinese actor and director. Deng received recognition for the television series ''The Young Emperor'' (2003) and ''Happiness as Flowers'' (2005). He later shifted his ...

. * '' Secret History of Kangxi'', a 2006 Chinese television series about the Kangxi Emperor. Wu Qianqian portrayed Bumbutai. * ''

Da Qing Fengyun ''Da Qing Fengyun'', alternatively known as ''Qing Gong Fengyun'', is a 2006 Chinese television series directed by Chen Jialin, starring Zhang Fengyi, Xu Qing and Jiang Wen. Set in the early Qing dynasty, the story focuses on the romance between D ...

'', a 2006 Chinese television series based on the romance between Bumbutai and

Xu Qing Xu Qing (; born January 22, 1969), also known as Summer Xu, is a Chinese actress. Early life Xu was born at the 301 Hospital in Beijing. Her mother, of Tujia ethnicity, was the dance leader in the Central Military Commission Political W ...

portrayed Xiaozhuang and

Zhang Fengyi Zhang Fengyi (born 1 September 1956) is a Chinese actor best known for his role as "Duan Xiaolou" in ''Farewell My Concubine (film), Farewe ...

portrayed Dorgon. * ''

The Life and Times of a Sentinel ''The Life and Times of a Sentinel'' (Traditional Chinese: 紫禁驚雷) is a 2011 Hong Kong historical-fiction television drama produced by Television Broadcasts Limited (TVB), starring Steven Ma and Kenneth Ma as the main leads, with Leung C ...

'', a 2011 Hong Kong historical fiction television series. Ching Hor-wai portrayed Bumbutai. * In Love With Power, a 2012 Chinese television series dramatising the life of Bumbutai during her early years, as consort to Hong Taiji and as mother to the Shunzhi Emperor. She is portrayed by Yuan Shanshan *'' The Legend of Xiao Zhuang'', a 2015 Chinese television series that chronicles the life of Bumbutai, and the titular character is portrayed by Jing Tian. * Rule the World (TV series) is a 2015 television series which chronicles the tale of

Harjol Primary Consort Minhui (1609 – 22 October 1641), of the Khorchin Mongol Borjigit clan, personal name Harjol("Jade" in the Manchu language), was a consort of Hong Taiji. She was 17 years his junior. Life Family background * Father: Zhaisang ...

. Bumbutai is portrayed by Cao Mengge. *''Royal Romance'' is a 2015 television series where Bumbutai is portrayed by

Anita Yuen Anita Yuen Wing Yee (born 4 September 1971) is a Hong Kong actress and beauty pageant titleholder. She is best known for her roles in the films '' C'est la vie, mon chéri'' (1993), '' He's a Woman, She's a Man'' (1994), and '' From Beijing with Lo ...

. Bumbutai is shown to be the biggest roadblock for the love between

and

Consort Donggo Consort Donggo (1639 – 23 September 1660), of the Manchu Plain White Banner Donggo clan, was a consort of the Shunzhi Emperor. She was one year his junior. Life Family background Lady Donggo's personal name was not recorded in history. He ...

. *'' Legend of Dragon Pearl'', also known as Longzhu; a 2017 Chinese television series where Bumbutai is portrayed by

in her later years, as Grand Empress Dowager during the reign of Kangxi Emperor.

Games