Previous   Next
Home » Images » 0014 Pictures From History » CPA0006821

China: Empress Xiao Yi Chun (1727-1775), Imperial Consort of the Qianlong Emperor.

China: Empress Xiao Yi Chun (1727-1775), Imperial Consort of the Qianlong Emperor.

Empress Xiao Yi Chun (23 October 1727 - 28 February 1775) came from the Han Chinese Wei clan. Her clan name was later changed to the Manchu Weigiya clan during the Jiaqing Emperor's reign. Empress Xiao Yi Chun's father was Wei Qing Tai, a Han Chinese official from Jiangsu. Lady Weigiya was born during the fifth year of the Yongzheng Emperor's reign, and entered the Qing Dynasty Imperial Court as a lady-in-waiting to the Qianlong Emperor in 1745. Weigiya gave birth to six children in total, including four sons and two daughters. Among her children was the future Jiaqing Emperor. Weigiya died on 28 February 1775, in the fortieth year of the Qianlong Emperor's reign. She was aged 47 years old, and was given the posthumous title of 'Imperial Noble Consort Ling-Yi'. In 1796, when Weigiya's son ascended the throne as the Jiaqing Emperor, he granted Weigiya the posthumous title Empress Xiao Yi Chun meaning 'Filial, Graceful, and Pure Empress'.

Quick links to other images in this gallery: