Grand empress dowager


Grand empress dowager 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 cultural sphere.
Some grand empresses dowager held regency during the emperor's childhood. Some of the most prominent empress dowagers extended their regencies beyond the time when the emperor was old enough to govern alone. This was seen as a source of political turmoil, according to the traditional views of Chinese historians.

Chinese grand empresses dowager

Han dynasty

Cao Wei

Jin dynasty (266–420)

Liu Song dynasty

Chen dynasty

Northern Wei dynasty

Northern Qi dynasty

Northern Zhou dynasty

Tang dynasty

Song dynasty

Liao dynasty

Jin dynasty (1115–1234)

  • Tangkuo, Grand Empress Dowager of Qingyuan Palace, during the reign of Emperor Xizong
  • Heshilie, Grand Empress Dowager of Mingde Palace, during the reign of Emperor Xizong

Yuan dynasty

Ming dynasty

Qing dynasty