The Legacy of Archery in the Wei, Jin Dynasties (Part 3)

2. The Rise of Women's Archery: Traditional Chinese culture defined women's social role as subordinate to men and confined to the household. They were expected to outwardly appear submissive and weak, as stated in "The Teachings for Women" by Ban Zhao: "Men and women have different natures; masculinity is valued for strength, femininity for gentleness; men are valued for power, women for grace.  Hence the saying: 'A male child is like a wolf, yet we fear him; a female child is like a mouse, yet we fear her like a tiger.'" However, this traditional view changed significantly during the Wei, Jin, and Northern and Southern Dynasties. Women became more open in their social lives, and societal standards for evaluating outstanding women became more diverse.

During this period, the rise of Daoism, Buddhism, and other philosophical schools challenged the dominance of Confucianism. With the weakening of traditional Confucian rituals, more women gained access to education and participated in family-based learning and cultural activities. This increased self-awareness and relative freedom for women led to a corresponding rise in their status. Women also served as educators within their families, inheriting and developing educational and cultural traditions.

When archery, spurred by military campaigns, became a widespread social practice during the Wei, Jin, and Northern and Southern Dynasties, women, newly liberated from the traditional Confucian ideal of "a virtuous woman is one without talent," were also influenced. Women learning archery became a common phenomenon. Many women developed exceptional archery skills, surpassing even some men. They had their own archery competitions, competed against men, and even fought alongside soldiers in war—a significant advancement for women in ancient China.

General Description of Women's Archery:  In ancient Chinese history, women during the Wei, Jin, and Northern and Southern Dynasties held a high social and political status. They enjoyed the same right to education as men and frequently appeared on the political stage, offering advice and even leading armies. While the image of a skilled archer has traditionally been that of a brave and valiant man, the widespread practice of archery during this period also led to the flourishing of women's archery. Ethnic minorities have long been known for their martial prowess and archery skills, and their women traditionally learned archery. This trend of women practicing archery quickly influenced Han women in the southern regions. Therefore, the appreciation of martial arts became a prominent feature of social development during the Wei, Jin, and Southern and Northern Dynasties.

As large numbers of Han people migrated south from the north, and ethnic minorities from north of the Great Wall moved into the Central Plains, their nomadic lifestyle and traditional skills in horsemanship and archery subtly influenced the Han people with whom they lived. The rise of archery fostered a spirit of heroism and martial spirit among women; their graceful and confident postures with bow and arrow impressed everyone, and more and more Han women made archery an important part of their daily lives.

The mother of Emperor Xiaowen of the Northern Wei Dynasty, Empress Xuanwu Ling, was a prime example of a skilled female archer. Raised by her aunt, a Buddhist nun, she was well-versed in Buddhist scriptures and personally handled complex state affairs, even reviewing official documents. The "Biography of Empresses and Consorts" in the "Book of the Northern Dynasties" records: "Once, she visited the Fayou Hall in Xilin Park and ordered her attendants to shoot arrows; those who missed were punished.  She then shot at a needle's eye and hit it, greatly pleased, and rewarded her attendants accordingly." This shows that she punished those who missed the target and rewarded her attendants after she herself hit the needle's eye. Similarly, it is recorded that "she went to the hot springs at the palace gate, climbed Jitou Mountain, and shot an ivory hairpin, hitting it with one shot, and then instructed the officials." This demonstrates that Empress Xuanwu Ling not only loved archery, practicing it wherever she went, but also possessed exceptional skill, able to hit such a small target as a needle's eye or an ivory hairpin. Her skill surpassed that of many male officials. Archery among women was not only common in the court, but also practiced by women in the general population. For example, a folk song about Li Yongrong's archery skills was widely circulated among the people at the time: "Li Bo's younger sister, named Yongrong, rides and shoots arrows like a whirlwind. She can shoot arrows with both hands, and her aim is always accurate. If women are this skilled, what about men?" Li Bo was a powerful figure in Guangping (present-day Jize County, Hebei Province) during the Northern Wei Dynasty, and his younger sister, Li Yongrong, was very fond of horseback riding and archery. This folk song vividly portrays the graceful and heroic image of a woman on horseback, showcasing the widespread practice of archery among women. The song describes her riding with her skirt tucked into her belt, galloping like a whirlwind, and shooting arrows with both hands, demonstrating remarkable accuracy. The phrase "both arrows hitting the target" (叠双) emphasizes the high level of skill required, reflecting the popularity of archery among women at that time.


Regarding archery among women of minority ethnic groups: The Later Zhao Dynasty, founded by the Jie tribe leader Shi Le, with its capital at Ye (near the Zhang River), followed a policy of separate governance for Han and non-Han populations. Shi Le and his successor, Shi Hu, relocated people from conquered regions to their administrative centers (Xiangguo, Ye, and surrounding areas) for better control. Records from the Later Zhao Dynasty document women learning archery and practicing shooting, demonstrating the development of women's martial arts skills. For example, the "Linsui Festival" held on the third day of the third lunar month was originally a Han Chinese tradition. Initially held on an auspicious day in early March, it was called "Shangyi." According to old customs, people would gather by the water to cleanse themselves, offer sacrifices to their ancestors, and celebrate. After the Wei and Jin Dynasties, the Shangyi Festival was fixed on the third day of the third lunar month, becoming a festival for picnics by the water and outings in the countryside. Influenced by Han Chinese customs, the Later Zhao Dynasty adopted this ancient festival, combining picnics, outings, and archery, transforming the Shangyi Festival into a joyful and healthy recreational activity. Women's active participation further enhanced the recreational and entertaining aspects of archery for women. The "Records of Ye" by Lu Qi of the Jin Dynasty describes the grand festivities of the Shangyi Festival during the reign of Shi Hu of the Later Zhao Dynasty, including women participating in archery and banquets: "On the third day of the third lunar month, Shi Hu held a gathering by the river. Princesses, concubines, and women of noble families all attended.  Tents were erected by the river, and the carriages and attire were splendid.  Women rode horses and practiced archery, feasting and enjoying themselves all day." This not only reflects the grandeur and scale of women's participation in archery and feasting during the Shangyi Festival, but also shows that such activities were extremely common and popular social and cultural events for women of all social classes, from princesses and concubines to ordinary women.

Besides the widespread archery activities of women during the Shangyi Festival, historical records also document archery activities in the imperial court. For example, "When the empress of Shi Hu rode out, a thousand female horsemen formed her escort. In winter, they wore purple silk turbans and brocade trousers, with gold-embellished belts, embroidered boots, and held yellow-painted bows." (Xu Zuo-min, "Collected and Annotated Notes on Lost Records of Ye," Zhongzhou Ancient Books Publishing House, 1996, pp. 44-46). This procession of a thousand female horsemen accompanying the empress demonstrated the supreme royal power and also reflected the martial prowess of women who practiced archery. Fu Deng, a descendant of the famous Emperor Fu Jian of the Former Qin Dynasty (a Di ethnic group leader), had a wife, Empress Mao, who came from a military family.  She was beautiful, skilled in martial arts, and an excellent horsewoman and archer, possessing great courage. "Fu Deng's wife, Empress Mao, was of unknown origin, but was brave and skilled in horsemanship and archery. When Yao Chang attacked Fu Deng, and his camp was breached, Empress Mao still rode on horseback with a bow, fighting against hundreds of soldiers, killing and wounding many."  Yang Da'yan, another member of the Di ethnic group, was a famous general during the reigns of Emperor Xiaowen and Emperor Xuanwu of the Northern Wei Dynasty. His wife, Pan Shi, was also skilled in horsemanship and archery, often visiting her husband at his camp. During military campaigns and hunting expeditions, she would wear military attire and ride alongside her husband. Upon returning to camp, she sat with her husband in their tent, chatting and laughing with her colleagues and subordinates, looking completely relaxed and content.

Therefore, "whenever someone asked her about the person, she would point and say, 'That's General Pan.'"  Empress Dowager Erju of Pengcheng was the daughter of Erju Rong and had previously been the empress of Emperor Xiaozhuang of the Northern Wei Dynasty.  Emperor Gao Huan of the Northern Wei Dynasty took her as his consort, but he held her in even greater esteem than his original empress, Wei Fei. Every time he met her, he would wear his sash and address her as "your humble servant." "When Emperor Gao Huan welcomed the Rouran princess back, Empress Dowager Erju met her north of Mu-jing. The two women traveled separately, not meeting each other. The princess drew her short bow and shot an eagle in flight, hitting it with one arrow; the empress drew her long bow and shot a flying crow, also hitting it with one shot. Emperor Gao Huan was delighted, saying, 'My two wives are both capable of fighting the enemy.'"  It seems that Emperor Gao Huan's respect for Empress Dowager Erju stemmed from her exceptional archery skills.