List of Chinese empresses and queens

"Empress of China" redirects here. For other uses, see Empress of China (disambiguation).

This article is about empresses consort of China. For empresses regnant of China, see Emperor of China.

The following is a list of empresses and queens consort of China. China has periodically been divided into kingdoms as well as united under empires, resulting in consorts titled both queen and empress. The empress title could also be given posthumously.

Empresses and queens

The title of empress (皇后, húanghòu) could also be given posthumously. The posthumous empresses are listed separately by the year they were given the title.

Predynastic Zhou (c. 1150–1046 BCE)

Name	Picture	Birth	Became Queen	Ceased to be Queen	Death	Spouse
Tai Si (太姒)		c. 12th century BCE	1099 BCE	1050 BCE	c. 11th century BCE	King Wen

Zhou dynasty (1046–256 BCE)

Name	Picture	Became Queen	Ceased to be Queen	Death	Spouse
Queen Yi Jiang (邑姜)		1046 BCE	1043 BCE		King Wu
Wáng Sì (王姒)					King Cheng
Wáng Jiāng (王姜)					King Kang
Queen Fáng (房后)					King Zhao
Wáng Zǔ Jiāng (王俎姜)					King Mu
Wáng Guī (王媯)					King Gong
Wáng Bó Jiāng (王伯姜)					King Yi
Wáng Jīng (王京)					King Xiao
Wáng Jí (王姞)					King Yi
Shēn Jiāng (王姞)					King Li
Queen Jiang (姜后)		827 BCE	782 BCE		King Xuan
Queen Shēn (申后)		782 BCE	772 BCE		King You
Bao Si (褒姒)		779 BCE	771 BCE
Jì Jì Jiāng (紀季姜)					King Huan
Chén Guī (陈妫)					King Hui
Queen Dí (翟后)					King Xiang
Qí Jiāng (周灵王)					King Ling
Queen Mù (穆后)				527 BCE	King Jing

Western Han dynasty (202 BCE–9 CE)

Name	Picture	Parents	Birth	Marriage	Became Empress	Ceased to be Empress	Death	Spouse
Empress Lü Zhi		Lü Wen, Prince Xuan of Lü Princess Consort Xuan	241 BCE		202 BCE	195 BCE	18 Aug 180 BCE	Emperor Gaozu of Han
Empress Zhang Yan		Zhang Ao, Prince of Zhao Princess Yuan of Lu		192 BCE	192 BCE	188 BCE	163 BCE	Emperor Hui of Han
Empress Lü		Lü Lu (呂祿)	c.205 BCE		184 BCE	180 BCE	c.180 BCE	Emperor Houshao of Han
Empress Dou		Dou Chong, Marquis Ancheng	205 BCE	179 BCE	179 BCE	157 BCE	135 BCE	Emperor Wen of Han
Empress Bo				158 BCE	157 BCE	151 BCE	147 BCE	Emperor Jing of Han
Empress Wang Zhi		Wang Zhong Zang Er	173 BCE		150 BCE	126 BCE
Empress Chen Jiao		Chen Wu, Marquess of Tangyi Liu Piao, Princess Guantao			141 BCE	130 BCE	c.110 BCE	Emperor Wu of Han
Empress Wei Zifu		Madam Wei (衛媼)			128 BCE	91 BCE
Empress Shangguan		Lady Huo	89 BCE(?)	84 BCE	83 BCE	74 BCE	37 BCE	Emperor Zhao of Han
Empress Xu Pingjun		Xu Guanghan	c.90 BCE	c. 76 BCE	74 BCE	71 BCE		Emperor Xuan of Han
Empress Huo Chengjun		Huo Guang Lady Xian			70 BCE:	66 BCE	54 BCE
Empress Wang		Wang Fengguang, Marquess of Qiongcheng		64 BCE		49 BCE	16 BCE
Empress Wang Zhengjun		Wang Jin, Marquess of Yangping Li Qin	71 BCE	c.50 BCE	48 BCE	33 BCE	13 AD	Emperor Yuan of Han
Empress Xu		Xu Jia, the Marquess of Ping'en			31 BCE	18 BCE	8 BCE	Emperor Cheng of Han
Empress Zhao Feiyan			c. 32 BCE		16 BCE	7 BCE	1 BCE
Empress Fu		Fu Yan, Marquis of Kongxiang			6 BCE	1 BCE		Emperor Ai of Han
Empress Wang		Wang Mang Lady Wang	8 BCE	4 CE		5 CE	23 CE	Emperor Ping of Han

Xin dynasty (9–23)

Name	Parents	Marriage	Became Empress	Ceased to be Empress	Death	Spouse
Empress Wang	Wang Xian, Marquess of Yichin		9	21		Emperor Wang Mang
Empress Shi	Shi Chen (史諶)	23

Eastern Han dynasty (25–220)

Name	Picture	Parents	Birth	Marriage	Became Empress	Ceased to be Empress	Death	Spouse
Guo Shengtong		Guo Chang, Marquess Si of Yin'an	c. 6	24	10 July 26	1 December 41 Deposed	22 July 52	Emperor Guangwu of Han
Empress Yin Lihua		Yin Mu Deng	5	41		29 March 57 Husband's death	26 February 64
Empress Ma		General Ma Yuan	Late 30s	49	8 April 60	5 September 75 Husband's death	16 August 79	Emperor Ming of Han
Empress Dou		Dou Xun Princess Piyang	c. 63	77	3 April 78	9 April 88 Husband's death	8 October 97	Emperor Zhang of Han
Empress Yin		Yin Gang	c. 80	92	31 March 96	24 July 102 Deposed	c. August 102	Emperor He of Han
Empress Deng Sui		Deng Xun Lady Yin	81	96	21 November 102	13 February 106 Husband's death	5 April 121
Empress Yan Ji		Yan Chang		114	1 June 115	30 April 125 Husband's death	28 February 126	Emperor An of Han
Empress Liang Na		Liang Shang	116	128	2 March 132	20 September 144 Husband's death	6 April 150	Emperor Shun of Han
Empress Liang Nüying		Grand Marshal Liang Shang		147	30 September 147	9 August 159		Emperor Huan of Han
Empress Deng Mengnü		Deng Xiang Xuan			159	27 March 165 Deposed	165
Empress Dou Miao		Dou Wu		c. 165	10 December 165	25 January 168 Husband's death	18 July 172
Empress Song		Song Feng		170	12 October 171	c. November 178 Deposed	c. November 178	Emperor Ling of Han
Empress He		He Zhen Xing			8 January 181	13 May 189 Husband's death	30 September 189
Empress Fu Shou		Fu Wan, Marquis of Buqi Ying		190	20 May 195	8 January 215		Emperor Xian of Han
Empress Cao Jie		Cao Cao			6 March 215	11 December 220 Husband's abdication	2 July 260

Three Kingdoms period (220–280)

Cao Wei (220–266)

Name	Parents	Birth	Marriage	Became Empress	Ceased to be Empress	Death	Spouse
Empress Guo Nüwang	Guo Yong Lady Yong	8 April 184		31 October 222	29 June 226 Husband's death	14 March 235	Cao Pi
Empress Mao	Mao Jia			26 December 227	22 September 237		Cao Rui
Empress Guo	Guo Man Lady Du			16 January 239	22 January 239 Husband's death	8 February 264
Empress Zhen				29 May 243	22 August 251		Cao Fang
Empress Zhang	Zhang Ji			c. March 252	c. April 254 Deposed
Empress Wang	Wang Kui			c. May 254	17 October 254 Husband's deposition
Empress Bian	Bian Long		April or May 255		2 June 260 Husband's death		Cao Mao
Empress Bian	Bian Lin		28 November 263		4 February 266 Husband's abdication		Cao Huan

Shu Han (221–263)

Name	Parents	Marriage	Became Empress	Ceased to be Empress	Death	Spouse
Empress Wu		214	19 June 221	10 June 223 Husband's death	September or October 245	Liu Bei
Empress Zhang	Zhang Fei	221	June 223 Husband's accession	July or August 237		Liu Shan
Empress Zhang			February 238	December 263 Husband's death

Eastern Wu (222–280)

Name	Picture	Parents	Birth	Marriage	Became Empress	Ceased to be Empress	Death	Spouse
Empress Pan					June or July 251	February or March 252		Sun Quan
Empress Quan Huijie		Quan Shang	244		16 February 253	9 November 258 Husband's death	c. early 300s	Sun Liang
Empress Zhu		Zhu Ju Sun Luyu		c. 250	16 September 262	3 September 264 Husband's death	July or August 265	Sun Xiu
Empress Teng Fanglan		Teng Mu			November 264	1 May 280 Husband's deposition		Sun Hao

Jin dynasty (266–403, 404–420)

Name	Picture	Parents	Birth	Marriage	Became Empress	Ceased to be Empress	Death	Spouse
Empress Yang Yan		Yang Wenzong Lady Zhao	238	Before 265	20 March 266	25 August 274		Emperor Wu of Jin
Empress Yang Zhi		Yang Jun	259	13 December 276		16 May 290 husband's death	6 March 292
Empress Jia Nanfeng		Jia Chong Guo Huai	257	2 April 272	16 May 290 husband's accession	7 May 300 deposed	13 May 300	Emperor Hui of Jin
Empress Yang Xianrong		Yang Xuanzhi (Duke of Xingjin)	In or before 290	December 300		3 February 301 husband's deposition	13 May 322
				December 300	1 June 301 husband's restoration	8 January 307[a] husband's death
Empress Liang Lanbi		Liang Fen	Unknown	Before February 305	11 January 307 husband's accession	311[b]	Unknown	Emperor Huai of Jin
Empress Yu Wenjun		Yu Chen Lady Xun	297	Before May 318	4 January 323 husband's accession	18 October 325 husband's death	March or April 328	Emperor Ming of Jin
Empress Du Lingyang		Du Yi Lady Pei	321	17 March 336		7 April 341		Emperor Cheng of Jin
Empress Chu Suanzi		Chu Pou Xie Zhenshi	324	Before 342	10 February 343	17 November 344 husband's death	5 July 384	Emperor Kang of Jin
Empress He Fani		He Zhun Lady Kong	339	19 September 357		10 July 361 husband's death	13 September 404	Emperor Mu of Jin
Empress Wang Muzhi		Wang Meng Lady Yuan	Unknown	Before 361	29 October 361	22 February 365		Emperor Ai of Jin
Empress Yu Daolian		Yu Bing	Unknown	Before 361	13 August 365	5 July 366		Emperor Fei of Jin
Empress Wang Fahui		Wang Yun Lady Liu	c. 360	1 October 375		24 October 380		Emperor Xiaowu of Jin
Empress Wang Shen'ai		Wang Xianzhi Princess Xin'an	384	396	3 May 397	22 December 403 husband's deposition	3 October 412	Emperor An of Jin
					June 404 husband's restoration	3 October 412
Empress Chu Lingyuan		Chu Shuang	384	Before 419	12 February 419	7 July 420 husband's deposition	7 August 436	Emperor Gong of Jin

Huan Chu dynasty (403–404)

Name	Parents	Birth	Marriage	Became Empress	Ceased to be Empress	Death	Spouse
Empress Liu	Liu Dan	Unknown	Before 404	Spring 404	19 June 404 husband's deposition	Unknown	Huan Xuan

Sixteen Kingdoms period (304–439)

Cheng-Han (304–347)

Name	Marriage	Became Empress	Ceased to be Empress	Death	Spouse
Empress Ren	Unknown	February or March 315	August 334 husband's death	Unknown	Emperor Wu of Cheng
Empress Yan	Unknown	334 husband's accession	338?[c]	Unknown	Li Qi
Empress Yan	Unknown	338 husband's accession	September 343 husband's death	After 343	Emperor Zhaowen of Han
Empress Li	Before 343	343 husband's accession	347 husband's deposition	Unknown	Li Shi

Han-Zhao (304–329)

Name	Picture	Parents	Birth	Marriage	Became Empress	Ceased to be Empress	Death	Spouse
Empress Huyan		Huyan Yi	Unknown	Before 304	307	Before or in 310		Liu Yuan
Empress Shan		Shan Zheng	Unknown	Unknown	Early 310	29 August 310 husband's death	Late 310
Empress Huyan		Unknown	Unknown	Unknown	310 husband's accession	312		Liu Cong
Empress Zhang Huiguang		Zhang Shi	Unknown	Early 313		313
Empress Liu E		Unknown	Unknown	313		314
Empress Jin Yueguang		Jin Zhun	Unknown	315		315 deposed	315
Left Empress Liu		Unknown	Unknown	315		Before 318
Empress Jin Yuehua		Jin Zhun	Unknown	315		31 August 318 husband's death	After 318
Upper Empress Fan		Unknown	Unknown	316		31 August 318 husband's death	After 318
Left Empress Wang		Wang Chen[d]	Unknown	318		31 August 318 husband's death	After 318
Middle Empress Xuan		Xuan Huai[e]	Unknown	318		31 August 318 husband's death	After 318
Empress Jin		Jin Zhun	Unknown	Before 318	September 318 husband's accession	September or October 318 husband's death	Unknown	Liu Can
Empress Yang Xianrong		Yang Xuanzhi	In or before 290	Possibly 319[f]	319	13 May 322		Liu Yao
Empress Liu		Unknown	Unknown	325		326
Empress Liu		Unknown	Unknown	326		Between February and September 329 husband's death	Unknown

Later Zhao (319–351)

Name	Parents	Birth	Marriage	Became Empress	Ceased to be Empress	Death	Spouse
Empress Liu	Unknown	Unknown	Before 330	330 husband's accession	17 August 333 husband's death	Fall 333	Shi Le
Empress Zheng Yingtao	Unknown	Unknown	Before 334	337	337 deposed	349	Shi Hu
Empress Du Zhu	Unknown	Unknown	337		348 deposed	Unknown
Empress Liu	Liu Yao	318	348		26 May 349 husband's death	349
Empress Zhang	Unknown	Unknown	Unknown	349 husband's accession	349 husband's deposition	349	Shi Zun

Ran Wei (350–352)

Name	Became Empress	Ceased to be Empress	Spouse
Empress Dong	350 husband's accession	17 May 352 husband's deposition	Ran Min

Former Liang (301–376)

Name	Became Princess/Empress	Ceased to be Princess/Empress	Death	Spouse
Princess Yan	324?	346 husband's death	Before 353	Zhang Jun
Princess Pei	346?	353 husband's death	354	Zhang Chonghua
Empress Xin	354	355 husband's death	Unknown	Zhang Zuo

Later Liang (386–403)

Name	Parents	Marriage	Became Princess/Empress	Ceased to be Princess/Empress	Death	Spouse
Princess Shi	Unknown	Before 383	389[g]	Unknown		Lü Guang
Empress Yang	Yang Huan	Unknown	400 husband's accession	401 husband's death	401	Lü Zuan
Empress Yang	Unknown	Unknown	401 husband's accession	Unknown		Lü Long

Western Liang (400–421)

Name	Became Princess	Ceased to be Princess	Death	Spouse
Princess Yin	N/A[h]		After 437	Li Gao

Northern Liang

• 401–433: Princess Meng
• 433?-437: Princess Li Jingshou
• 437–439: Princess Tuoba

Southern Liang

• 408–414: Queen Zhejue

Former Qin

• 351–355: Empress Qiang
• 355: Empress Liang
• 357–385: Empress Gou
• 385–386: Empress Yang
• 387–389: Empress Mao
• 392–393: Empress Li

Later Qin

• 386–394: Empress She
• 402–?: Empress Zhang
• 412–?: Empress Qi
• 416–417: Yao Hong's empress

Western Qin

• 388–394, 394–400, 409–412: Queen Bian
• 394: Queen Fu
• 414–423: Queen Tufa
• 429–431: Queen Liang

Former Yan

• 337–348: Princess Duan
• 348?–360: Empress Kezuhun
• 369–370: Empress Kezuhun

Later Yan

• 388–396: Duan Yuanfei
• 396–398: Empress Duan
• 404–407: Fu Xunying
• 407–409: Empress Li

Northern Yan

• 409–?: Princess Sun
• 430–?: Princess Murong

Southern Yan

• 398–405: Duan Jifei
• 408–410: Empress Huyan

Xia

• 407–425: Empress Kezuhun
• 425–427: Helian Chang's empress

Northern and Southern dynasties

Liu Song

• 422–424: Empress Sima Maoying
• 424–440: Empress Yuan Qigui
• 453: Empress Yin Yuying
• 453–464: Empress Wang Xianyuan
• 465: Empress Lu
• 465–472: Empress Wang Zhenfeng
• 472–477: Empress Jiang Jiangui
• 478–479: Empress Xie Fanjing

Southern Qi

• 493–494: He Jingying
• 494: Wang Shaoming
• 498–501: Chu Lingqu
• 501–502: Wang Shunhua

Northern Wei

• 400–409: Empress Murong
• 432–452: Empress Helian
• 456–465: Empress Feng
• 493–497: Empress Feng Qing
• 497–499: Empress Feng Run
• 501–507: Empress Yu
• 508–515: Empress Gao
• 5??–528: Empress Hu
• 528–530: Empress Erzhu Ying'e
• 530–531: Empress Erzhu
• 532: Empress Erzhu
• 533–534: Empress Gao

Western Wei

• 535–538: Empress Yifu
• 538–540: Empress Yujiulü
• 553–554: Empress Yuwen
• 554–556: Empress Ruogan

Eastern Wei

• 539–550: Empress Gao

Northern Qi

• 550–559: Empress Li Zu'e
• 560–561: Empress Yuan
• 561–565: Empress Hu
• 565–572: Empress Hulü
• 572–573: Empress Hu
• 572–577: Empress Mu

Liang dynasty

• 551: Empress Zhang
• Empress Wang
• 560–561: Empress Wang

Chen dynasty

• Zhang Yao'er
• Shen Miaorong
• Wang Shaoji
• Liu Jingyan
• Shen Wuhua

Northern Zhou

Main article: Empress of Northern Zhou

• 557–557: Empress Yuan Humo
• 568–568: Empress Dugu
• 568–578: Empress Ashina
• 578–579: Yang Lihua
• 579–580: Empress Sima Lingji

Sui dynasty

• 581–602: Dugu Qieluo, empress consort of Emperor Wen
• 605–618: Empress Xiao, empress consort of Emperor Yang

Tang dynasty

Wu Zetian, an empress consort who became an imperial ruler during the Tang dynasty and during the emperor Gaozong. After the death of her husband, she became the sole ruler of China for more than two decades.

• 626–636: Empress Zhangsun, empress consort of Emperor Taizong
• 650–655: Empress Wang, first empress consort of Emperor Gaozong
• 655–684: Wu Zetian, second empress consort of Emperor Gaozong, later also an empress regnant
• 684–684: Empress Wei, empress consort of Emperor Zhongzong
• 684–690: Empress Liu, empress consort of Emperor Ruizong
• 705–710: Empress Wei (second time), empress consort of Emperor Zhongzong
• 710–710: Empress Lu, empress consort of Emperor Shang
• 712–724: Empress Wang, empress consort of Emperor Xuanzong
• 758–762: Empress Zhang, empress consort of Emperor Suzong
• 786–786: Empress Wang, empress consort of Emperor Dezong
• 898–900: Empress He, empress consort of Emperor Zhaozong
• 901–904: Empress He (second time), empress consort of Emperor Zhaozong

Qin

• Empress Ju

Han (Dingyang)

• Empress Ju

Xia

• Empress Cao

Yan

• Empress Duan
• Empress Xin

Qi

• Empress Cao

Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period

Qi

• 907–924: Empress Liu, empress consort of Li Maozhen

Former Shu

• 908–918: Empress Zhou, empress consort of Wang Jian
• 918–921: Empress Gao, first empress consort of Wang Zongyan
• 921–926: Empress Jin Feishan, second empress consort of Wang Yan

Yan

• 911–913: Empress Li and Empress Zhu, empress consorts of Liu Shouguang

Later Liang

• 912–913: Empress Zhang, empress consort of Zhu Yougui

Southern Han

• 919–935: Empress Ma, empress consort of Liu Yan

Later Tang

• 924–926: Empress Liu, empress consort of Li Cunxu
• 930–933: Empress Cao, empress consort of Li Siyuan
• 934–934: Empress Kong, empress consort of Li Conghou
• 934–936: Empress Liu, empress consort of Li Congke

Wu

• 933–937: Empress Wang, empress consort of Yang Pu

Min

• 935–935: Empress Chen Jinfeng, empress consort of Wang Yanjun
• 936–939: Empress Li Chunyan, empress consort of Wang Jipeng
• 942–944: Empress Li, empress consort of Wang Yanxi

Southern Tang

• 937–943: Empress Song, empress consort of Li Bian
• 943–961: Empress Zhong, empress consort of Li Jing
• 961–965: Queen Zhou the Elder, first queen consort of Li Yu
• 968–975: Queen Zhou the Younger, second queen consort of Li Yu

Later Jin

• 941–942: Empress Li, empress consort of Shi Jingtang
• 943–946: Empress Feng, empress consort of Shi Chonggui

Yin

• 943–?: Empress Zhang, empress consort of Wang Yanzheng

Later Han

• 947–948: Empress Li, empress consort of Liu Zhiyuan

Later Zhou

• 954–956: Empress Fu the Elder, first empress consort of Chai Rong
• 959–959: Empress Dowager Fu (Later Zhou), second empress consort of Chai Rong

Northern Han

• ?–968: Empress Guo, empress consort of Liu Jun
• 968–?: Empress Ma, empress consort of Liu Jiyuan

Song dynasty

Empress Zheng of the Song dynasty

• 929-958: Empress He, first empress consort of Emperor Taizu
• 960–963: Empress Wang, second empress consort of Emperor Taizu
• 968–976: Empress Song, third empress consort of Emperor Taizu
• 984–997: Empress Li, empress consort of Emperor Taizong
• 997–1007: Empress Guo, first empress consort of Emperor Zhenzong
• 1012–1022: Empress Liu, second empress consort of Emperor Zhenzong and Senior regent Song dynasty
• 1024–1033: Empress Guo, first empress consort of Emperor Renzong
• 1034–1063: Empress Cao, second empress consort of Emperor Renzong
• 1065–1067: Empress Gao, empress consort of Emperor Yingzong
• 1068–1085: Empress Xiang, empress consort of Emperor Shenzong
• 1092–1096: Empress Meng, first empress consort of Emperor Zhezong
• 1099–1100: Empress Liu, second empress consort of Emperor Zhezong
• 1100–1108: Empress Wang, first empress consort of Emperor Huizong
• 1111–1126: Empress Zheng, second empress consort of Emperor Huizong
• 1126–1127: Empress Zhu, empress consort of Emperor Qinzong
• 1127–1139: Empress Xing, first empress consort of Emperor Gaozong
• 1143–1162: Empress Wu, second empress consort of Emperor Gaozong
• 1162–1167: Empress Xia, first empress consort of Emperor Xiaozong
• 1167–1189: Empress Xie, second empress consort of Emperor Xiaozong
• 1189–1194: Empress Li Fengniang, empress consort of Emperor Guangzong
• 1194–1200: Empress Han, first empress consort of Emperor Ningzong
• 1200–1224: Empress Yang, second empress consort of Emperor Ningzong
• 1227–1264: Empress Xie Daoqing, empress consort of Emperor Lizong
• 1267–1274: Empress Quan, empress consort of Emperor Duzong

Yuan dynasty

See also: List of Yuan empress consorts

Empress Chabi, consort to Kublai Khan

• 1260–1281: Chabi, first empress consort of Emperor Shizu
• 1283–1294: Nambui, second empress consort of Emperor Shizu
• 1295–1307: Bulugan, empress consort of Emperor Chengzong
• 1310–1311: Zhenge, empress consort of Emperor Wuzong
• 1313–1320: Radnashiri, empress consort of Emperor Renzong
• 1321–1323: Sugabala, empress consort of Emperor Yingzong
• 1324–1328: Babukhan Khatun, empress consort of Emperor Taiding
• 1328–1329: Budashiri, empress consort of Emperor Wenzong
• 1329–1329: Babusha, empress consort of Emperor Mingzong
• 1329–1332: Budashiri (second time), empress consort of Emperor Wenzong
• 1332–1332: Daliyetemishi, empress consort of Emperor Ningzong
• 1333–1335: Danashri, first empress consort of Emperor Huizong
• 1337–1365: Bayan Khutugh, second empress consort of Emperor Huizong
• 1340–1370: Empress Gi, third empress consort of Emperor Huizong

Ming dynasty

Empress Xiaocigao, Ming dynasty

Empress Xu, Ming dynasty

• 1368–1382: Empress Ma, empress consort of the Hongwu Emperor
• 1399–1402: Empress Ma, empress consort of the Jianwen Emperor
• 1402–1407: Empress Xu, empress consort of the Yongle Emperor
• 1424–1425: Empress Zhang, empress consort of the Hongxi Emperor
• 1425–1428: Empress Hu Shanxiang, first empress consort of the Xuande Emperor
• 1428–1435: Empress Sun, second empress consort of the Xuande Emperor
• 1442–1449: Empress Qian, empress consort of the Zhengtong Emperor
• 1449–1452: Empress Wang, first empress consort of the Jingtai Emperor
• 1452–1456: Empress Hang, second empress consort of the Jingtai Emperor
• 1457–1464: Empress Qian (second time), empress consort of the Tianshun Emperor (former Zhengtong Emperor)
• 1464–1464: Empress Wu, first empress consort of the Chenghua Emperor
• 1464–1487: Empress Wang, second empress consort of the Chenghua Emperor
• 1487–1505: Empress Zhang, empress consort of the Hongzhi Emperor
• 1506–1521: Empress Xia, empress consort of the Zhengde Emperor
• 1522–1528: Empress Chen, first empress consort of the Jiajing Emperor
• 1528–1534: Empress Zhang, second empress consort of the Jiajing Emperor
• 1534–1547: Empress Fang, third empress consort of the Jiajing Emperor
• 1566–1572: Empress Chen, empress consort of the Longqing Emperor
• 1578–1620: Empress Wang Xijie, empress consort of the Wanli Emperor
• 1621–1627: Empress Zhang, empress consort of the Tianqi Emperor
• 1628–1644: Empress Zhou, empress consort of the Chongzhen Emperor

Southern Ming

• 1645–1646: Empress Zeng, empress consort of the Longwu Emperor
• 1646–1662: Empress Wang, empress consort of the Yongli Emperor

Qing dynasty

Emperor	Empress consort*	Picture	Birth	Became empress consort	Ceased to be empress consort	Death
Hong Taiji	Jerjer, Empress Xiaoduanwen of the Mongol Borjigit clan		31 May 1599	August 1636	21 September 1643 husband's death	28 May 1649
Fulin, the Shunzhi Emperor	Erdeni Bumba, Empress of the Mongol Borjigit clan			27 September 1651	25 October 1653 deposed
	Alatan Qiqige, Empress Xiaohuizhang of the Mongol Borjigit clan		5 November 1641	July/August 1654	5 February 1661 husband's death	7 January 1718
Xuanye, the Kangxi Emperor	Empress Xiaochengren of the Manchu Hešeri clan		3 February 1654	October/November 1665	6 June 1674
	Empress Xiaozhaoren of the Manchu Niohuru clan		1653	18 September 1677	18 March 1678
	Empress Xiaoyiren of the Manchu Tunggiya clan			23 August 1689	24 August 1689
Yinzhen, the Yongzheng Emperor	Duoqimuli, Empress Xiaojingxian of the Manchu Ula-nara clan		28 June 1681	28 March 1723	29 October 1731
Hongli, the Qianlong Emperor	Empress Xiaoxianchun of the Manchu Fuca clan		28 March 1712	23 January 1738	8 April 1748
	Empress of the Manchu Nara clan		11 March 1718	2 September 1750	19 August 1766
Yongyan, the Jiaqing Emperor	Empress Xiaoshurui of the Manchu Hitara clan		2 October 1760	12 February 1796	5 March 1797
	Empress Xiaoherui of the Manchu Niohuru clan		20 November 1776	27 May 1801	2 September 1820 husband's death	23 January 1850
Mianning, the Daoguang Emperor	Empress Xiaoshencheng of the Manchu Tunggiya clan		5 July 1792	28 December 1822	16 June 1833
	Empress Xiaoquancheng of the Manchu Niohuru clan		24 March 1808	18 November 1834	13 February 1840
Yizhu, the Xianfeng Emperor	Empress Xiaozhenxian of the Manchu Niohuru clan		12 August 1837	November/December 1852	22 August 1861 husband's death	8 April 1881
Zaichun, the Tongzhi Emperor	Empress Xiaozheyi of the Manchu Arute clan		25 July 1854	15 October 1872	12 January 1875 husband's death	27 March 1875
Zaitian, the Guangxu Emperor	Jingfen, Empress Xiaodingjing of the Manchu Yehe-nara clan		28 January 1868	26 February 1889	14 November 1908 husband's death	22 February 1913
Puyi, the Xuantong Emperor	Wanrong, Empress Xiaokemin of the Manchu Gobulo clan		13 November 1906	(titular)	(titular)	20 June 1946
Personal name, posthumous name, maiden clan

Empresses dowager

The title of Empress dowager (皇太后, húangtàihòu) was automatically given to a former Empress consort and widow of an Emperor. The title, Empress dowager, could be granted a widow of an Emperor even when she had not been the Empress consort during the reign of her spouse. Therefore, a separate list is given of the Empresses dowager, which, in some cases, equals the list of Empresses consort, and in other cases, not.

Han dynasty

• Empress Dowager Lü
• Empress Dowager Bo
• Empress Dowager Dou
• Empress Dowager Wang
• Empress Dowager Shangguan
• Empress Dowager Wang
• Empress Dowager Wang
• Empress Dowager Zhao
• Grand Empress Dowager Fu
• Empress Dowager Ding
• Empress Dowager Wang
• Empress Dowager Yin
• Empress Dowager Ma
• Empress Dowager Dou
• Empress Dowager Deng
• Empress Dowager Yan
• Empress Dowager Liang
• Empress Dowager Dou
• Empress Dowager He

Northern Dynasties

Northern Wei

• Princess Dowager Helan
• Empress Dowager Helian
• Nurse empress dowager
• Empress Dowager Feng(Empress Dowager Wenming)
• Empress Dowager Gao
• Empress Dowager Hu

Tang dynasty

• 683–690: Empress Dowager Wu
• 710: Empress Dowager Wei
• 805–816: Empress Dowager Wang
• 820–848: Empress Dowager Guo
• 824–845: Empress Dowager Wang
• 826–847: Empress Dowager Xiao
• 846–865: Empress Dowager Zheng
• 904–906: Empress Dowager He

Song dynasty

• Empress Dowager Du
• Empress Dowager Li
• Empress Dowager Liu
• Empress Dowager Yang
• Empress Dowager Cao
• Empress Dowager Gao
• Empress Dowager Xiang
• Empress Dowager Meng
• Empress Dowager Liu
• Empress Dowager Wei
• Empress Dowager Wu
• Empress Dowager Xie
• Empress Dowager Li
• Empress Dowager Yang
• Empress Dowager Xie
• Empress Dowager Quan
• Empress Dowager Yang

Yuan dynasty

• Empress Dowager Khongirad
• Empress Dowager Naimans
• Empress Dowager Oirats
• Empress Dowager Khongirad
• Empress Dowager Khongirad
• Empress Dowager Khongirad
• Empress Dowager Khongirad
• Empress Dowager Khongirad

Ming dynasty

• Empress Dowager Zhang
• Empress Dowager Hu
• Empress Dowager Sun
• Empress Dowager Wu
• Empress Dowager Qian
• Empress Dowager Zhou
• Empress Dowager Wang
• Empress Dowager Zhang
• Empress Dowager Shao
• Empress Dowager Jiang
• Empress Dowager Du
• Empress Dowager Chen
• Empress Dowager Li
• Empress Dowager Wang
• Empress Dowager Wang
• Empress Dowager Liu

Qing dynasty

Empress Dowager Cixi, Qing dynasty

• 1643–1649: Empress Xiaoduanwen
• 1643–1688: Empress Dowager Zhaosheng
• 1661–1663: Empress Dowager Cihe
• 1661–1718: Empress Dowager Renxian
• 1722–1723: Empress Dowager Renshou
• 1735–1777: Empress Dowager Chongqing
• 1820–1850: Empress Dowager Gongci
• 1855: Empress Dowager Kangci
• 1861–1881: Empress Dowager Ci'an
• 1861–1908: Empress Dowager Cixi
• 1908–1913: Empress Dowager Longyu

Grand empresses dowager

Further information: Grand empress dowager § Chinese grand empresses dowager

Empresses whose titles were granted posthumously

Sui dynasty

• 581: Empress Lü Gutao, mother of Emperor Wen of Sui

Tang dynasty

• 618: Empress Dugu (Empress Yuanzhen, mother of Emperor Gaozu of Tang)
• 618: Duchess Dou (Empress Taimu), wife of Li Yuan, Emperor Gaozu of Tang before Li Yuan's ascension

Song dynasty

• 961: Empress Dowager Du, mother of Emperor Taizu and Emperor Taizong
• 960: Empress He, married to Emperor Taizu
• 976: Empress Yin, married to Emperor Taizong
• 976: Empress Fu, married to Emperor Taizong
• 997: Empress Li, mother of Emperor Zhenzong
• 997: Princess Pan, married to Emperor Zhenzong
• 1033: Consort Li, mother of Emperor Renzong
• 1036: Empress Yang, married to Emperor Zhenzong
• 1054: Empress Zhang, married to Emperor Renzong
• 1101: Empress Chen, mother of Emperor Huizong
• 1102: Empress Zhu, mother of Emperor Zhezong
• 1113: Empress Mingda, married to Emperor Huizong
• 1121: Empress Mingzhe, married to Emperor Huizong
• 1159: Empress Xianren, mother of Emperor Gaozong
• 1162: Empress Chengmu, married to Emperor Xiaozong

Yuan dynasty

• 1336: Mailaiti, mother of Emperor Huizong

Ming dynasty and Southern Ming dynasty

• 1504: Empress Xiaosu, mother of the Chenghua Emperor
• 1566: Empress Xiaoke, mother of the Longqing Emperor
• 1566: Empress Xiaoyizhuan, married to the Longqing Emperor
• 1614: Empress Xiaoding, mother of the Wanli Emperor
• 1620: Empress Xiaojing, mother of the Taichang Emperor
• 1644: Empress Xiaozhejian
• 1644: Empress Xiaoyi
• 1644: Empress Xiaoxu

Qing dynasty

Empress Xiaoyichun, Qing dynasty

• 1626: Empress Xiaoliewu, married to Nurhaci
• 1636: Empress Xiaocigao, mother of Hong Taiji
• 1660: Empress Xiaoxian, married to the Shunzhi Emperor
• 1663: Empress Xiaokangzhang, mother of the Kangxi Emperor
• 1688: Empress Xiaozhuangwen, grandmother of the Kangxi Emperor
• 1723: Empress Xiaogongren, mother of the Yongzheng Emperor
• 1777: Empress Xiaoshengxian, mother of the Qianlong Emperor
• 1796: Empress Xiaoyichun, mother of the Jiaqing Emperor
• 1820: Empress Xiaomucheng, married to the Daoguang Emperor
• 1850: Empress Xiaodexian, married to the Xianfeng Emperor
• 1855: Empress Xiaojingcheng, married to the Daoguang Emperor
• 1908: Xingzhen, Empress Xiaoqinxian, married to Xianfeng Emperor, mother of Tongzhi Emperor

See also

• Chinese nobility
• Ranks of imperial consorts in China
• Imperial consorts of Tang China
• Grand empress dowager
• Empress dowager
• Nurse empress dowager
• Consort clan
• List of Chinese monarchs

Notes

1. Yang Xianrong was deposed and restored four times each from 304 to 306. Her tenures as empress were as follows:

   • June 301–February 304
   • July–August 304
   • November 304–April 305
   • November 305
   • May 306–January 307
2. Her fate after she and her husband were captured by Han-Zhao forces in July 311 is unknown.
3. Her husband was overthrown in 338, but it is unknown if she was still alive by this time.
4. Adoptive father.
5. Adoptive father.
6. It is unknown if she was a concubine or wife of Liu Yao before his accession to the throne.
7. If she was still alive in 396, she would have been created Empress.
8. Yin never held the title of Princess during the reign of her husband Duke Li Gao. She was honoured as princess dowager after his death.