Zhao Feiyan (Chinese: 趙飛燕, ? – September or October 1 BC[1]),[2] formally Empress Xiaocheng (孝成皇后), was a Chinese courtesan and empress. She was an empress during the Han dynasty. Her husband was Emperor Cheng.[3] She was known in the collective consciousness of Chinese society more for her beauty than for the regal presence that she and her sister, the Consort Zhao Hede engaged in and exuded, but unlike most of the famous beauties in Chinese history (such as the Four Beauties), she was often vilified by her own sisters. She was often compared and contrasted with Yang Guifei, the concubine of Emperor Xuanzong of Tang, because she was known for her slender build while Yang was known for her full build. This led to the Chinese idiom huanfei yanshou (環肥燕瘦, literally "plump Huan, slender Fei"), which describes the range of the types of beauties. Later, the idiom was also used as a figurative expression on literary styles that can be either verbose or sparse, but were equally effective. She was born in slavery and trained in the performing arts, a background that made her appointment as empress highly controversial. Subsequent persecution by her political enemies eventually led to her being forced to commit suicide. After her death, her reputation was marred by accusations of vicious scheming, murder of other imperial consorts and their offspring, and relentless promiscuity, punctuated by bouts of extravagant shopping.[4]
^8th month of the 2nd year of the Yuan'shou era, per vol.35 of Zizhi Tongjian. The month corresponds to 18 Sep to 16 Oct 1 BC in the proleptic Julian calendar.
^Peterson, Barbara Bennett & He Hong Fei & Han Tie & Wang Jiyu & Zhang Guangyu. (1999) Notable Women of China "M.E. Sharpe". pp. 87–90. ISBN0-7656-0504-X.
^Raphals, Lisa. (1998) Sharing the Light "SUNY Press" p. 81. ISBN0-7914-3855-4.
