Empress Dowager Cixi (1836–1908), from the Manchu Blue Banner, was originally named Yehenara Xingzhen. She stands as one of the rare women in Chinese history to seize and hold court power. During the reigns of the Tongzhi and Guangxu emperors, she effectively ruled behind the curtain, becoming the de facto leader of the late Qing Dynasty. It is said that Empress Dowager Cixi had a particular fondness for high-heeled shoes.
Manchu women traditionally wore different types of footwear compared to Han Chinese women. They often wore flat wooden shoes known as "flag shoes," which came in various styles, including high-end versions with elevated soles. These high-end shoes, called "Zushi," typically had a height of about 10 centimeters. The soles were covered with several layers of white cloth, and the design featured three main shapes: the flowerpot bottom, the horseshoe shape, and the ingot-like form. These shoes were decorated with intricate embroidery, edge trimmings, and a variety of patterns.
Empress Dowager Cixi was particularly fond of these high-heeled shoes, especially those with a flowerpot or horseshoe sole. Her preference for pink flowerpot shoes and blue horseshoe-shaped ones reflected her unique taste, as they were elegant, simple in color, and became her favorites. When she walked in these shoes, her movements were graceful and poised. Looking at today’s photographs and portraits of her, it's clear that she often wore such high heels, revealing her deep fascination with this kind of footwear.
Born into a noble family, Cixi was selected at the age of 15 to become a concubine in the imperial palace. She gained favor with Emperor Xianfeng and was later elevated to the rank of "Yi Gui." After his death, she joined forces with Prince Gong in the "Xinyou Coup" and executed key rivals, securing her position as the real ruler of the empire. Following the death of Emperor Tongzhi, Emperor Guangxu ascended the throne, but Cixi continued to rule from behind the curtain, effectively controlling the country and turning the emperor into a mere figurehead.
During her time in power, she brutally suppressed the Taiping Rebellion, spent enormous resources on building the Summer Palace, and engaged in lavish and extravagant lifestyles, even indulging in foreign luxuries. She also signed the Treaty of Shimonoseki, an unequal agreement that worsened China’s plight and left her open to lasting criticism.
Yet, despite her political ambitions and ruthless actions, Empress Dowager Cixi was still a woman with human emotions. Like any other, she desired love, youth, beauty, and wealth. But unlike ordinary women, she possessed an insatiable desire for power and the cunning to achieve it. As she climbed the ranks of power, she used her authority to fulfill her personal desires, leading to some unusual and even shocking behaviors.
Beauty was a natural part of her life. She understood its value, having once used her charm to gain the favor of Emperor Xianfeng and rise to the top of the imperial hierarchy. Once in power, she devoted herself to maintaining her youthful appearance, employing various methods to stay young and beautiful forever. Her obsession with beauty and power shaped not only her public image but also her private life, making her one of the most complex and enigmatic figures in Chinese history.
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