Concubinage in China

Concubinage in China refers to the historical practice and custom of maintaining a concubine or multiple concubines, in addition to a legal wife, by a man in imperial and traditional China. This practice was prevalent and socially accepted in ancient China, and it played a significant role in the Chinese family structure and social hierarchy.

History

The practice of concubinage in China can be traced back to the Xia Dynasty (2070–1600 BC), where the rulers and nobles maintained concubines as a symbol of their wealth and power. The tradition continued through the Shang Dynasty (1600–1046 BC) and the Zhou Dynasty (1046–256 BC), and it became more institutionalized during the Qin Dynasty (221–206 BC) and Han Dynasty (206 BC–220 AD).

Social Status

In the Chinese social hierarchy, a concubine held a lower status than the legal wife. However, children born to a concubine were considered legitimate, and they could inherit their father's property and title, especially if the legal wife did not bear any sons. This led to many power struggles and conflicts within the family, as depicted in many Chinese historical dramas and literature, such as the famous Dream of the Red Chamber.

Decline

The practice of concubinage in China began to decline with the advent of the Republic of China in 1912, which promoted monogamy and women's rights. The Communist Party of China further discouraged the practice after it came to power in 1949, and the Marriage Law of the People's Republic of China in 1950 officially abolished the system of concubinage.

See Also

• Polygamy in China
• Women in ancient and imperial China
• Chinese marriage
• Chinese kinship