The following is a list of empresses and queens of China, who formed the highest tier of the imperial Chinese harem system. China has periodically been divided into kingdoms as well as united under empires, resulting in consorts titled both queen and empress. The empress title could also be given posthumously, as to the mothers and grandmothers of the founders of dynasties. The posthumous empresses are listed separately by the year they were given the title.
Empresses and queens Xia dynasty (c. 2070 – c. 1600 BC) +NameSpouseLady TushanYu the GreatJiXiangQueen,Shao Kang Predynastic Shang ( – ) +NameSpouseBi Geng(妣庚)Bao Ding Bi Geng(妣庚)Shi RenBi Jia(妣甲)Shi Gui
Shang dynasty ( – ) +NameParentsImageCeased to be queenDeathSpouseBi Jia(妣甲)TangBi Bing(妣丙)Bi Wu(妣戊)Da DingBi Xin(妣辛)Tai JiaBi Ren(妣壬)Tai GengBi Ren(妣壬)Tai WuBi Ji(妣己) Zhong DingBi Gui(妣癸)Bi Jia(妣甲) Zu XinBi Ren(妣壬)Bi Ji(妣己)Zu DingBi Geng(妣庚)Xiao YiFu Hao(婦好)Wu DingFu Jing(婦妌)Fu Jie(妇嬕)orFu Gui(妣癸)Bi Wu(妣戊)Zu JiaBi Xin(妣辛)Geng DingJiuhou Nü(九侯女)JiuhouDi Xin
Predynastic Zhou (–1046 BC) +NameImageBirthBecame queenCeased to be queenDeathSpouseLady JiangTaiTai Ren(太任)JiTai Si(太姒)1099 BC1050 BCWen
Zhou dynasty (1046–256 BC) +NameImageParentsMarriageBecame queenCeased to be queenDeathSpouseYi Jiang,(邑姜)Jiang Ziya1046 BC1043 BC11th century BCWuWang Si,(王姒)ChengWang Jiang,(王姜)10th century BCKangQueen Fang,(房后)ZhaoWang Zu Jiang,(王俎姜)MuWang Gui,(王媯)GongWang Bo Jiang,(王伯姜)9th century BCYiWang Jing(王京)XiaoWang Ji,(王姞)YiShen Jiang,(申姜)LiQueen Jiang,(姜后)826 BC827 BC782 BC,Husband's deathXuanQueen Shen,(申后) Marquis of Shen782 BC772 BCYouBao Si,(褒姒)Du Bo779/771 BC771 BC,Husband's death771 BCJi Ji Jiang,(紀季姜)703 BCHuanQueen Chen(陳后)676 BCHuiChen Gui,(陈妫)Duke Xuan of Chen676 BCQueen Di,(翟后)651 BC619 BC,DeposedXiangQueen Jiang,(姜后)Duke Hui of Qi603 BCKing Ding of ZhouQi Jiang,(齊姜)Duke Ling of Qi558 BCLingQueen Mu(穆后)527 BCJing
Spring and Autumn Period (c. 770 – c. 481 BCE) and Warring States Period (c. 475 – 221 BC) Chen (c. 1045 BC–479 BC) +NameParentsSpouseDaji (大姬)King Wu of ZhouDuke HuDuchess,Duke Huan
Chu (c. 1030 BC – 223 BC) +NamePictureParentsDeathSpouseBi Zhui(妣隹)Unnamed son of Pan GengJilianDeng Man(鄧曼/邓曼)King WuXi Gui(息妫/息媯)King WenQueen,King ChengZheng Mao,(郑暓/鄭瞀)Fan Ji(樊姬)7th century BCKing ZhuangQin Ying(秦嬴)King GongBa Ji(巴姬)Bo Ying(伯嬴)/Chu Ying(楚赢)Duke Ai of QinKing PingZhen Jiang(貞姜)King ZhaoWuxu(無卹)King ShengZheng Xiu(郑袖/鄭袖)King HuaiLady Wei(魏美人)Queen Li(李后)King Kaolie
Jin (11th century BC – 369 BC) +NamePictureParentsBirthMarriageBecame Duchess Ceased to be DuchessDeathSpouseJia Jun(贾君/賈君)Duke XianQi Jiang(齐姜/齊姜)Hu Ji(狐姬)Xiao Rong Zi(小戎子)Li Ji(骊姬/驪姬)Unnamed leader of the Li Rong tribe672 BC651 BC,Husband's death651 BCShao Ji(少姬)Huai Ying(怀赢/懷嬴)Duke Mu of Qin650 BC637 BC637 BC620 BCDuke HuaiBi Ji(逼姞)Duke WenDu Qi(杜祁)Chen Ying(辰嬴)Zhou Nü(周女)Mu Ying(穆嬴)Duke Xiang
Lu (c. 1042 BC–249 BC) +NamePictureParentsBirthMarriageBecame DuchessCeased to be DuchessDeathSpouseZhong Zi(仲子)Duke Wu of SongDuke HuiWen Jiang(文姜)Duke Xi of Qi709 BC14 April 694 BC,Husband's death673 BCDuke HuanAi Jiang(哀姜)Duke ZhuangChu Jiang(出姜)Duke WenMu Jiang(穆姜)621 BC26 September 591 BC,Husband's death6 May 564 BCDuke XuanQi Jiang(齊姜/齐姜)Duke Cheng
Qi (1046 BCE – 221 BCE) +NameParentsMarriageBecame Duchess/QueenCeased to be Duchess/QueenDeathSpouseDuchess,Duke TaiShen Jiang,(申姜)Wey Ji,(卫姬/衛姬)Duke XiZhou Wang Ji,(周王姬)King Huan of Zhou695 BCDuke XiangWang Ji,(王姬)Duke HuanXu Ying,(徐嬴)Cai Ji,(蔡姬)Zi Shu Ji,(子叔姬)Duke ZhaoXiao Tong Shu Zi,(萧桐叔子/蕭桐叔子)Duke HuiSheng Meng Zi,(声孟子/聲孟子)Duke QingYan Yi Ji,(颜懿姬/顏懿姬)Duke LingYan Ji,(燕姬)Duke Hui of Yan?536 BCDuke JingJi Ji,(季姬)Viscount Huan of Ji490 BCDuke DaoLady,364 BCDuke TaiQueen Wei(威后)King WeiQueen Xuan(宣后)312 BCKing XuanZhongli Chun,(钟离春/鍾離春)Su Liu Nü,(宿瘤女)King MinQueen Dowager Min(湣太后)Queen Jun,(君王后)Taishi Jiao265 BC,Husband's death249 BCKing Xiang
Qin (c. 9th century BC – 207 BC) +NameParentsBirthMarriageBecame Marchioness/Duchess/Queen Ceased to be Marchioness/Duchess/QueenDeathSpouseMeng Ji,(孟姬)GongboLu Ji(鲁姬/魯姬)Duke XiànLady Mu(穆姬)Duke Xian of Jin~672 BC637 BCDuke MuQin Xiaozhu Furen(秦小主夫人)387 BC,Husband's death385 BCDuke HuiQueen Huiwen(惠文后)King Hui of Wei?334 BC311 BC,Husband's death305 BCKing HuiwenQueen Daowu/Queen Wu,(悼武后/武后)King WuQueen Yeyang(葉陽后)King ZhaoxiangQueen Dowager Tang,(唐太后)Queen Dowager Huayang,(花阳太后/華陽太后)Mi Rong296 BC12 November250 BC14 November 250 BC,Husband's death230 BCKing XiaowenQueen Dowager Zhao(趙太后/赵太后)c. 280 BCc. November 250 BCE6 July 247 BCE,Husband's death228 BCKing Zhuangxiang
Wey (c. 1040 BCE – 209 BCE) +NamePictureParentsBirthCeased to be DuchessDeathSpouseXuan Jiang730 BC700 BC,Husband's death690 BCDuke XuanDuchess Jiang(姜)Duke Xiang Lady Nanzi(南子)Duke Ping of Song?492 BC,Husband's death480 BCDuke Ling
Yan (11th century BC–222 BC) +NameParentsSpouseQueen,King Huiwen of ZhaoKing Wucheng
Zheng (806 BC–375 BC) +NameSpouseWu Jiang(武姜)Duke Wu
Western Han dynasty (202 BC – 9 AD) +Name*ImageParentsBirthMarriageBecame empressCeased to be empressDeathSpouseLü Zhi,Empress Gao,Lü Wen, Prince Xuan of LüPrincess Consort Xuan241 BC202 BC195 BC Husband's death18 Aug 180 BCEmperor Gaozu of HanZhang Yan,Empress Xiaohui,Zhang Ao, Prince of ZhaoPrincess Yuan of Lu192 BC192 BC188 BC Husband's death163 BCEmperor Hui of HanEmpress,Lü Lu (呂祿)184 BC180 BCEmperor Houshao of HanDou Yifang,Empress Xiaowen,Dou Chong, Marquis Ancheng205 BC179 BC179 BC157 BC Husband's death135 BCEmperor Wen of HanEmpress,158 BC157 BC151 BC Deposed147 BCEmperor Jing of HanWang Zhi,Empress Xiaojing,Wang Zhong,Zang Er173 BC 150 BC126 BC Husband's death25 June 126 BCChen Jiao,Empress,Chen Wu, Marquess of TangyiLiu Piao, Princess Guantao141 BC130 BC DeposedEmperor Wu of HanWei Zifu,Empress Xiaowusi,Madam Wei (衛媼)128 BC91 BCEmpress Xiaozhao,Shangguan An, Lady Huo89 BC(?)84 BC83 BC74 BC Husband's death37 BCEmperor Zhao of HanXu Pingjun,Empress Gong'ai,Xu Guanghan 74 BC71 BCEmperor Xuan of HanHuo Chengjun,Empress,Huo GuangLady Xian70 BC 66 BC Deposed54 BCEmpress Xiaoxuan,Wang Fengguang, Marquess of Qiongcheng64 BC49 BC Husband's death16 BCWang Zhengjun,Empress Xiaoyuan,Wang Jin, Marquess of YangpingLi Qin71 BC 48 BC33 BC Husband's death13 ADEmperor Yuan of HanXu Kua,Empress,Xu Jia, the Marquess of Ping'en31 BC18 BC Deposed8 BCEmperor Cheng of HanZhao Feiyan,Empress Xiaocheng,16 BC7 BC Husband's death1 BCEmpress Xiao'ai,Fu Yan, Marquis of Kongxiang6 BC 1 BCEmperor Ai of HanEmpress Xiaoping,Wang MangLady Wang8 BC 4 AD5 AD Husband's death23 ADEmperor Ping of Han Personal name, posthumous name, maiden clan
Xin dynasty (9–23) +NameParentsMarriageBecame empressCeased to be empressDeathSpouse Empress Wang Wang Xian, Marquess of Yichin 9 21 Emperor Wang Mang Empress Shi Shi Chen (史諶) 23
Eastern Han dynasty (25–220) Name*ImageParentsBirthMarriageBecame empressCeased to be empressDeathSpouseGuo Shengtong,Empress,Guo Chang, Marquess Si of Yin'an2410 July 261 December 41Deposed22 July 52 Emperor Guangwu of HanYin Lihua,Empress Guanglie,Yin MuDeng54129 March 57Husband's death26 February 64Empress Mingde,General Ma YuanLate 30s498 April 605 September 75Husband's death16 August 79Emperor Ming of HanEmpress Zhangde,Dou XunPrincess Piyang773 April 789 April 88Husband's death8 October 97Emperor Zhang of HanEmpress,Yin Gang9231 March 9624 July 102DeposedEmperor He of HanDeng Sui,Empress Hexi,Deng XunLady Yin819621 November 10213 February 106Husband's death5 April 121Yan Ji,Empress Ansi,Yan Chang1141 June 11530 April 125Husband's death28 February 126Emperor An of HanLiang Na,Empress Shunlie,Liang Shang1161282 March 13220 September 144Husband's death6 April 150Emperor Shun of HanLiang Nüying,Empress Yixian,Grand Marshal Liang Shang14730 September 147 9 August 159 Emperor Huan of HanDeng Mengnü,Empress,Deng XiangXuan15927 March 165Deposed165Dou Miao,Empress Huansi,Dou Wu10 December 16525 January 168Husband's death18 July 172Empress,Song Feng17012 October 171DeposedEmperor Ling of HanEmpress Lingsi,He Zhen, Marquis Xuande of Wuyang, Lady of Wuyang8 January 18113 May 189Husband's death30 September 189Empress,Tang Mao15 May 18928 September 189,Husband's depositionafter the early 190sEmperor Shao of HanFu Shou,Empress,Fu Wan, Marquis of BuqiYing19020 May 1958 January 215Emperor Xian of HanCao Jie,Empress Xianmu,Cao Cao6 March 21511 December 220Husband's abdication2 July 260 Personal name, posthumous name, maiden clan
Three Kingdoms period (220–280) Cao Wei (220–266) NameParentsBirthMarriageBecame empressCeased to be empressDeathSpouseGuo NüwangGuo YongLady Yong8 April 18431 October 22229 June 226Husband's death14 March 235Cao PiEmpress MaoMao Jia 26 December 227 22 September 237 Cao RuiEmpress GuoGuo ManLady Du 16 January 23922 January 239Husband's death8 February 264Empress Zhen29 May 243 22 August 251 Cao FangEmpress ZhangZhang JiDeposedEmpress WangWang Kui17 October 254Husband's depositionEmpress BianBian Long April or May 2552 June 260Husband's deathCao MaoEmpress BianBian Lin 28 November 2634 February 266Husband's abdicationCao Huan
Shu Han (221–263) NameParentsMarriageBecame empressCeased to be empressDeathSpouse Empress Wu214 19 June 221 10 June 223Husband's death September or October 245 Liu BeiEmpress ZhangZhang Fei221June 223Husband's accessionJuly or August 237Liu ShanEmpress ZhangFebruary 238December 263Husband's death
Eastern Wu (222–280) NameImageParentsBirthMarriageBecame empressCeased to be empressDeathSpouse Empress Pan June or July 251 February or March 252 Sun Quan Empress Quan Huijie Quan Shang 244 16 February 253 9 November 258Husband's death c. early 300s Sun Liang Empress Zhu Zhu JuSun Luyu c. 250 16 September 262 3 September 264Husband's death July or August 265 Sun Xiu Empress Teng Fanglan Teng Mu November 264 1 May 280Husband's deposition Sun Hao
Jin dynasty (266–403, 404–420) NamePictureParentsBirthMarriageBecame EmpressCeased to be EmpressDeathSpouse Empress Yang Yan Yang WenzongLady Zhao 238 Before 265 20 March 266 25 August 274 Emperor Wu of Jin Empress Yang Zhi Yang Jun 259 13 December 276 16 May 290husband's death 6 March 292 Empress Jia Nanfeng Jia ChongGuo Huai 257 2 April 272 16 May 290husband's accession 7 May 300deposed 13 May 300 Emperor Hui of Jin Empress Yang Xianrong Yang Xuanzhi (Duke of Xingjin) In or before 290 December 300 3 February 301husband's deposition 13 May 322 December 300 1 June 301husband's restoration 8 January 307husband's death Empress Liang Lanbi Liang Fen Unknown Before February 305 11 January 307husband's accession 311 Unknown Emperor Huai of Jin Empress Yu Wenjun Yu ChenLady Xun 297 Before May 318 4 January 323husband's accession 18 October 325husband's death March or April 328 Emperor Ming of Jin Empress Du Lingyang Du YiLady Pei 321 17 March 336 7 April 341 Emperor Cheng of Jin Empress Chu Suanzi Chu PouXie Zhenshi 324 Before 342 10 February 343 17 November 344husband's death 5 July 384 Emperor Kang of Jin Empress He Fani He ZhunLady Kong 339 19 September 357 10 July 361husband's death 13 September 404 Emperor Mu of Jin Empress Wang Muzhi Wang MengLady Yuan Unknown Before 361 29 October 361 22 February 365 Emperor Ai of Jin Empress Yu Daolian Yu Bing Unknown Before 361 13 August 365 5 July 366 Emperor Fei of Jin Empress Wang Fahui Wang YunLady Liu c. 360 1 October 375 24 October 380 Emperor Xiaowu of Jin Empress Wang Shen'ai Wang XianzhiPrincess Xin'an 384 396 3 May 397 22 December 403husband's deposition 3 October 412 Emperor An of Jin June 404husband's restoration 3 October 412 Empress Chu Lingyuan Chu Shuang 384 Before 419 12 February 419 7 July 420husband's deposition 7 August 436 Emperor Gong of Jin
Huan Chu dynasty (403–404) NameParentsBirthMarriageBecame EmpressCeased to be EmpressDeathSpouse Empress Liu Liu Dan Unknown Before 404 Spring 404 19 June 404husband's deposition Unknown Huan Xuan
Sixteen Kingdoms period (304 – 439 A.D.)
Cheng-Han (304–347)