| Heqin | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Traditional Chinese | 和親 | ||||||||
| Simplified Chinese | 和亲 | ||||||||
| Literal meaning | peace marriage | ||||||||
| |||||||||
Heqin, also known as marriage alliance, refers to the historical practice of Chinese monarchs marrying princesses—usually members of minor branches of the ruling family—to rulers of neighboring states.[1] It was often adopted as an appeasement strategy with an enemy state that was too powerful to defeat on the battlefield. The policy was not always effective. It implied an equal diplomatic status between the two monarchs. As a result, it was controversial and had many critics.[1]
Lou Jing (Chinese: 娄敬, later granted the imperial surname Liu 劉), the architect of the policy, proposed granting the eldest daughter of Emperor Gaozu of Han to Modu Chanyu of the Xiongnu. His proposal was adopted and implemented with a treaty in 198 BC, following the Battle of Baideng two years prior.[2][3] Wang Zhaojun, of the Han dynasty, and Princess Wencheng, of the Tang dynasty, are among the most famous heqin princesses.
The 20th-century scholar Wang Tonglin praised heqin for facilitating the "melting of races" in China.[4]