The Symbolism of Dragons and Female Power in China

The dragon (龙, lóng) is one of the most revered symbols in Chinese culture, representing imperial authority, divine power, and cosmic balance. Traditionally associated with emperors and male rulers, the dragon has also played a significant role in the lives of queens, empresses, and powerful women throughout Chinese history.

While women were often expected to embody the phoenix (凤, fèng)—a symbol of grace, wisdom, and femininity—some of the most influential women in China’s past defied convention and took on the power of the dragon, using it to establish their rule, shape dynasties, and change history.

This article explores the fascinating relationship between dragons and powerful Chinese women, from legendary empresses to influential concubines and strategists.

Empress Lü Zhi: The First Woman to Wield the Dragon’s Authority

Lü Zhi (吕雉, 241–180 BCE), the first empress of China to wield true power, was the wife of Emperor Gaozu (刘邦, founder of the Han Dynasty).

• After her husband’s death, Lü Zhi took control of the Han court and ruled as Empress Dowager Lü (吕太后), making her one of the most formidable women in Chinese history.
• According to legend, a golden dragon was seen hovering over the palace on the night she seized power, interpreted as a sign that the heavens had accepted her rule.
• She used the symbol of the dragon to justify her authority, reinforcing her position as the true leader of China.

Lü Zhi’s rule was marked by strategic brutality and political intelligence. Though feared for her ruthless actions, she proved that women could command the power of the dragon, reshaping China’s history.

Empress Wu Zetian: The Only Female Dragon Emperor

No woman in Chinese history is more closely associated with the dragon’s power than Wu Zetian (武则天, 624–705 CE), the only woman to rule China as an emperor in her own right.

• Wu Zetian rejected the phoenix as her symbol and instead claimed the dragon to signify that she alone held the Mandate of Heaven.
• She rewrote ancient texts to include women in positions of power, solidifying her place as the true Son of Heaven (天子, Tiānzǐ).
• During her reign, a rare celestial dragon was said to have appeared, seen as divine confirmation of her legitimacy.

Wu Zetian’s use of dragon imagery was a revolutionary act, challenging Confucian beliefs that only men could rule. Her reign proved that a woman could wield the dragon’s power just as effectively as any emperor.

Empress Dowager Cixi: The Last Dragon Empress

One of the most powerful women in China’s later history, Empress Dowager Cixi (慈禧太后, 1835–1908), controlled the Qing Dynasty (清朝) for nearly half a century.

• Cixi used the dragon throne to rule behind the scenes, governing as regent for multiple emperors.
• She commissioned portraits of herself surrounded by dragons, a symbolic message that she was the true force behind the throne.
• Some myths claim that in her final days, she had visions of a great black dragon rising from the Forbidden City, signifying the end of an era.

Despite controversy, Cixi’s reign preserved the dynasty longer than expected, proving that even in the declining years of imperial China, the dragon’s power could still be wielded by a woman.

Zhao Feiyan and the Forbidden Dragon’s Curse

Unlike the powerful empresses who embraced the dragon, some women were said to have been cursed by the dragon’s wrath.

Zhao Feiyan (赵飞燕, 45–1 BCE), a consort of Emperor Cheng of Han, was celebrated for her unearthly beauty but also feared for her ambition and cunning.

• According to legend, she was warned never to sit on the dragon throne, as it was meant for an emperor alone.
• One night, out of curiosity, she placed herself on the throne, and soon afterward, her fortunes changed dramatically.
• She fell out of favor, was accused of witchcraft, and ultimately died in disgrace.

This cautionary tale reinforced the belief that only women destined by fate could control the dragon’s power, while those who sought it unlawfully would suffer the consequences.

Princess Taiping: The Woman Who Challenged the Dragon Throne

Princess Taiping (太平公主, 665–713 CE), the daughter of Wu Zetian, inherited her mother’s political ambition and strategic brilliance.

• She was often compared to a hidden dragon, waiting for the right moment to rise.
• After Wu Zetian’s death, Taiping attempted to seize power, engaging in a struggle against her brother, Emperor Xuanzong.
• However, she underestimated the dragon’s wrath—her plans were uncovered, and she was forced to take her own life.

Despite her failure, Taiping’s story demonstrated that the dragon’s power was not easily tamed, even by those born into its legacy.

The Dragon’s Role in the Power of Imperial Concubines

Not all women in Chinese history wielded direct political power, but many influential imperial concubines used the dragon’s symbolism to rise within the court.

Yang Guifei: The Dragon’s Tragic Love

One of China’s most famous concubines, Yang Guifei (杨贵妃, 719–756 CE), was the beloved consort of Emperor Xuanzong of Tang.

• She was often depicted riding a dragon in poetry and art, symbolizing her celestial beauty and divine connection to power.
• However, her influence over the emperor led to political turmoil, culminating in the An Lushan Rebellion (755 CE).
• When the empire fell into chaos, Xuanzong’s court blamed her as an ill-fated dragon, leading to her forced execution.

Her tragic story showed that the dragon’s power could be both a blessing and a curse, bringing glory or destruction depending on fate.

The Modern Legacy of Women and the Dragon

Even after the fall of imperial China, the image of women wielding the dragon’s power has endured in literature, film, and politics.

• Female political leaders in modern China are often compared to historical empresses, continuing the myth of the dragon queen.
• Martial arts heroines in Chinese cinema are frequently depicted with dragon symbolism, emphasizing their strength and resilience.
• Today, the dragon remains an empowering figure for Chinese women who seek to challenge tradition and embrace leadership.

Conclusion: The Eternal Bond Between Women and the Dragon

Though traditionally associated with emperors and male rulers, the dragon has also been a symbol of strength, wisdom, and ambition for powerful women throughout Chinese history.

• Women like Wu Zetian and Empress Dowager Cixi proved that the dragon’s power was not limited by gender, as long as the ruler had the will to claim it.
• Others, like Princess Taiping and Zhao Feiyan, showed that attempting to seize the dragon’s power without destiny’s favor could lead to downfall.
• The dragon’s legacy in Chinese history serves as both an inspiration and a warning, reminding us that power must be wielded wisely.

As China continues to evolve, the spirit of the dragon queen lives on, inspiring new generations of women to embrace their own strength and carve their own destinies.