Behold the Gungju! Princesses in Qing Archives

Imperial records offer only a narrow glimpse of princess life, focusing on court protocol and dynastic rules. It is in popular literature and art that we find a richer, more nuanced portrait.

Today, princess tales continue to fascinate us. They satisfy our historical curiosity, fuel our romantic daydreams, and surprisingly often reflect our own experiences. In this way, princesses transcend time, becoming ever more vibrant and relatable. When we peer into their stories, we often catch a glimpse of ourselves.

What springs to mind when you think of princesses? Take a moment to search for their echoes in your own life story!

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  Portrait in Oils

  Ink and colors on silk
  Qing dynasty
  中畫000332

   

  This oil painting was once thought to depict “fragrant concubine in military attire”; in 1983, it was speculated to portray Princess Hexiao of the First Rank, the 10th daughter of Emperor Qianlong. Regardless of the speculations, the identity of the figure in the painting remains unknown today; its enigmatic nature provides a space for the public to interpret and imagine the lives of Qing dynasty court women. In this context, the princess becomes one option of interpretation, with some people responding to and remembering the rare image of a woman in military attire as representing the unique character of Princess Hexiao.

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  Poster for the Film Princess the Mischievous

  Produced by Southeast Motion Picture (Hong Kong) Co. Ltd.
  1976
  Collection of the National Museum of Taiwan History 2004.028.2949

   

  Princess the Mischievous is a movie released in Taiwan in 1976, featuring Taiwanese actress Xia Ling-ling among others. The Xiang Gege (Miss Fragrance) character was portrayed as the only daughter of Emperor Yongzheng and his wife. In reality, Emperor Yongzheng never had a daughter who was bestowed the title of princess of the first rank, making the Xiang Gege a completely fictional character. Nonetheless, the character’s vivacious and spirited nature made her a well-known and beloved representation of a Qing dynasty princess among Taiwanese audiences.