Yang Guifei, also referred to by her birth name, Yang Yuhuan, was born in 719AD in Yongle, China. She is known today as one of China's Four Great Beauties, so beautiful that people believe her beauty caused a rebellion and the downfall of her husband. Initially, she was married to the son of the Tang emperor, Xuanzong, but when his favorite consort, Consort Wu, died in 737, Xuanzong fell in love with Yang Yuhuan and raised her to the position of "Guifei" (precious consort). From that point on, he is said to have spent much of his time invested in her.
In addition, the two of them both took an interest in a foreign general called An Lushan. Their support of An Lushan, among other factors discussed in the Historical Context page, led to his rebellion in 755. In July of 756, the emperor and Yang Guifei were forced to flee the capital due to the rebellion. On the way to safety in Shu, modern Sichuan, the troops mutinied and refused to move any further unless the emperor ordered the execution of Yang Guifei because they thought that her influence over him caused the rebellion. The emperor was forced to order her execution, and their love story is now remembered for its tragedy.
Select one of the sections below to learn more about Yang Guifei and her legacy.
Image Source:
Eishi, Hosoda. The Chinese beauty Yang Guifei. Illustration. Wikimedia Commons. January 1, 2008. Accessed November 17, 2017. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Hosoda_Eishi_-_Yang_Gui_Fei.jpg.