concubines

In the rich tapestry of Chinese imperial history, the idiosyncrasies of emperors present a captivating tableau. These divine sovereigns, reigning over China for millennia, engaged in customs that might strike us as peculiar today. Foremost among these customs was the exclusive use of the color yellow, reserved solely for emperors. Yellow symbolized their centrality to the nation, likening them to the radiant sun at the heart of the kingdom. Perhaps the most renowned of these customs was the maintenance of extensive harems, featuring primary brides and concubines. This practice, although unconventional by contemporary standards, was an integral facet of imperial life. Concubines underwent rigorous examinations by palace physicians before entering the Forbidden City, where they engaged in traditional activities. Emperors