Empress Xiao Yanyan

Xiao Yanyan
Empress Dowager Chengtian of Liao

from one 1892 print of the novel Legends of Generals of the Yang Family (楊家將傳)[1]
regent of Liao Dynasty
empress dowager 13 October 982 - 23 December 1009
Regent Emperor Shengzong, son
Spouse Yelü Xian (Emperor Jingzong)
Issue
  • Yelü Longxu (Emperor Shengzong), son
  • Yelü Longqing (耶律隆慶), son
  • Yelü Longyou (耶律隆祐), son
  • Yelü Guanyinnü (耶律觀音女), daughter
  • Yelü Changshounü (耶律長壽女), daughter
  • Yelü Yanshounü (耶律延壽女), daughter
Full name
Family name: Xiāo (蕭)
Khitan name: Yanyan (燕燕)
Chinese name: Xiāo Chuò (蕭綽)
Regnal name
Empress Dowager Ruìdé Shénlüè Yìngyùn QĬhuà Chéngtiān (睿德神略應運啟化承天皇太后)
Posthumous name
Empress Shèngshén Xuānxiàn (聖神宣獻皇后)
Empress Ruìzhì (睿智皇后)
Father Xiao Siwen (蕭思溫)
Mother Yelü Lübugu (耶律呂不古)
Born 932
Died December 23, 1009

Xiao Yanyan (蕭燕燕) (953–1009) was a Khitan empress of ancient China's Liao Dynasty. Her Chinese name was Xiao Chuo (蕭綽). She married Emperor Jingzong of Liao. At his death in 982, she became regent for her son Emperor Shengzong. She was formally referred to as Empress Dowager Chengtian (承天皇太后).

She commanded her own army of 10,000 cavalry which she stayed at the head of until she was over the age of sixty. Song Dynasty troops attacked the Liao in 986, but they were pushed back and later defeated in 989. She was known for her great skills in civil administration and retained great influence until her death.

Early life

Xiao Chuo was the 3rd child of Xiao Siwen (蕭思溫), Liao's chancellor. At a young age, she distinguished herself from her sisters by being very thorough sweeping the floors. Impressed, her father chose her to marry the new Emperor Jingzong as a consort. Soon afterward, she was given the title of empress; she later gave birth to Emperor Shengzong.[2]

Modern References

A 1995 Chinese movie Great Liao's Empress Dowager (大遼太后) produced by Liaoning Film Studio stars Mu Qing as Xiao Yanyan. She is also portrayed as an antagonist in many Generals of the Yang Family adaptations, as well as one in the 2009 Korean television series Empress Cheonchu (천추태후/千秋太后).

Notes and references

  1. ↑ Essentially the same novel, with slight modifications by publishers and editors, as the second half of Records of the Two Songs, South and North (兩宋南北志傳) written by Xiong Damu (熊大木) in the late 16th century.
  2. ↑ Biographical Sketches, p.44

Sources