| NAME | |
|---|---|
| Chinese Name | 万年公主, 萬年公主, Wànnián Gōngzhǔ |
| Other name | Vạn Niên Công chúa |
| INFORMATION | |
| Born | c. 175 AD |
| Birth Place | Luoyang, Eastern Han (东汉洛阳; Lạc Dương, Đông Hán) |
| Died | Late Eastern Han |
| Death Reason | Natural causes |
| FAMILY | |
| Father | |
| Relatives | |
| CAREER | |
| Allegiance | Eastern Han Dynasty |
Princess Wannian (万年公主, Vạn Niên Công chúa; b. 180), was an imperial princess of the Eastern Han Dynasty, daughter of Emperor Ling (Emperor Ling) and elder sister of Emperor Shao (Liu Bian) and Emperor Xian (Liu Xie).
In 180 AD, in an unprecedented imperial decree, Emperor Ling bestowed upon her the high noble title of Princess of Wannian with a dedicated commandery appanage, making her the first daughter of a Han emperor to receive a personal fief in childhood. Surviving the catastrophic palace slaughter of 189 and Dong Zhuo’s terror, Princess Wannian accompanied the young Emperor Xian during his perilous flight from Chang’an to Luoyang.
Role in History (Hou Hanshu)
Book of the Later Han (Hou Hanshu, vol. 10, Biographies of Princesses): “In the third year of Guanghe, the Emperor ennobled his daughter as Princess of Wannian, granting her estates and palace attendants.”
Princess Wannian — Historical & Literary Timeline
180
Imperial Birth in Luoyang
Born to Emperor Ling of Han; granted the title Princess of Wannian.
189
Capital Turmoil
Survives the eunuch massacres and Dong Zhuo’s burning of Luoyang.
195
Flight from Chang’an
Endures the perilous trek across the wilderness back to Luoyang alongside Emperor Xian.
Key Relationships
Family
- Father Emperor Ling of Han (汉灵帝): Imperial father who granted her unique childhood honors.
- Brothers Emperor Shao (Liu Bian), Emperor Xian (Liu Xie): Last emperors of the Han Dynasty.
Friends
- Palace Matrons Empress Dowager Dong: Imperial grandmother.
Enemies
- Warlord Despot Dong Zhuo (董卓): Tyrant who burned Luoyang and held the royal family hostage.
Other
- Prime Minister Cao Cao (曹操): Later provided for the Han imperial princesses in Xuchang.
In Hou Hanshu
"A delicate orchid amidst the ashes of Luoyang; Princess Wannian witnessed the fall of the four-hundred-year empire of Han."
Historical Context
Princess Wannian's grant of a commandery appanage in 180 was a rare departure from Han protocol, which typically reserved such honors for adult imperial daughters.
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