In ancient times, people, because of the influence of different feudal ideas between men and women, were affected by different feudal ideas, so that men and women could not be buried together after death, and they had to be buried separately. Pay attention to "humble and immovable respect", "male left female right", this is a basic principle, between any husband and wife, if one of the husbands dies first, then the wife can not be buried with the husband, there must be a certain distance from the husband's coffin, on the right side of the husband's coffin, because the left is respected.
Even if it is the tomb of the emperor, if the emperor dies first, then as an empress, there is no chance to be buried with the emperor, and the feudal ideology is deeply rooted, and the dignity and inferiority are orderly and penetrate into all classes. However, there are exceptions, Wu Zetian once ignored the opposition of his courtiers and finally buried with Emperor Li Zhi, but there are very few such examples in history, even if they are buried together, but in a coffin, it is even more. However, 1,000 years later, Inner Mongolia, China, finally saw this example of breaking the historical stereotypes.
I. Women of Inner Mongolia in Ancient Times
Compared with the male cultivators and female weavers in the inland areas, the people in the nomadic areas need the whole family to fight in order to survive, and both men and women have to exert great efforts. There are examples of ancient Mongolian women having the right to participate in politics, which to a certain extent influenced the change of power and higher status.
For example, around the thirteenth century, the unification of the various ministries in Mongolia, among which the upper women made a great contribution. Genghis Khan's mother taught Genghis Khan from an early age to unite and be an upright person, and after Genghis Khan's meritorious service, he often spoke his mother's words to people, so that his mother was respected by everyone.
Genghis Khan's wife, who was by his side, offered advice. Genghis Khan himself said that although he was a woman, his wife's help to me could not be underestimated. In addition, like Lady Manduhai, during the Mongolian steppe period from the 14th to the 15th century, she vigorously defended the Golden Family Khanate and made immortal contributions to the unification of Mongolia.
In summary, in the Mongolian region, women in ancient times were very popular and valued. Especially respected by men, so it is more natural for men and women to be buried in the same coffin.
2. Ancient tombs in Mongolia
During the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period, the political power was divided, the strength between countries was obvious, and conflicts broke out from time to time. At this time, the Khitan people north of the Great Wall began to move towards unification. With the unity and toughness of the nomads, the iron horse will surrender everywhere it passes.
In 907 AD, the Liao Taizu Yelü Abaoji unified the Khitans, and in 1125 AD, the Jin regime replaced the Liao State, so that the Khitan culture began to launch the historical stage, and many tombs were stolen tragically, becoming the economic supply of the new regime, so that there were not many information left for posterity.
In the early 20th century, the state began to carry out rescue excavations of ancient tombs in the Liao Dynasty, because there were more ancient tombs that were destroyed by theft, which had a great impact on the study of history and culture. In June 1985, near the village of Sibugetu in Inner Mongolia, an ancient tomb was discovered, and after excavation verification by archaeologists, it was determined that it was a Liao Dynasty tomb, and the scale was huge and well-preserved, which surprised many experts and scholars and immediately plunged into a deeper excavation.
Third, a coffin embraced, and saw the light of day again
The discovery of this ancient tomb has a more eye-catching scene, that is, when the staff opened the coffin in the tomb, it was shocking that there were two people in the coffin. And it is a man and a woman, what is even more unbelievable is that the posture of these two skeletons is a state of mutual snuggling, which can be seen how loving the two tomb owners are.
One day nearly a thousand years ago, a grand wedding ceremony was held in the northern steppe, and the nobles married. The woman was Princess Chen Guo, the daughter of Yelü Longqing and the granddaughter of the famous Empress Xiao. The man is the woman's uncle, Xiao Shaoji. At that time, the popular nobles intermarried, and the sons of the royal family could not marry commoners, and there was no concept of the marriage of close relatives. Princess Chen Guo and Xiao Shaoji are the identities of the masters in the tomb.
According to the excavated epitaphs, Princess Chen Guo was deeply loved by the emperor and won many titles: Princess Taiping, Princess of Yueguo, Princess Chen Guo, and married her uncle Xiao Shaojie to ensure the continuation of the noble bloodline. However, the heavens did not go according to people's wishes, and after only two years of marriage, the husband and wife passed away one after another. This love did not last long and disappeared from people's vision.
But they are happy, because the two can break the stereotype, hug each other, sleep for a thousand years of love until today was not discovered, open the coffin, husband and wife wear a gold mask, pillow on the embroidered pillow, as if it is so natural, even if it is death, but also to fulfill the love covenant, do not abandon, life and death depend on each other.
Fourth, major historical value
Excavation of the tomb of Princess Chen Guo. Because it is well preserved and has not been stolen, it has great historical and cultural research value, filling the shortage of Khitan culture and Liao culture materials. According to statistics, a total of 3227 pieces of various burial items have been excavated from the tomb, including gold, silver and jade, pearl agate, and countless.
As Yelü Longqing's favorite daughter, she naturally hoped that Princess Chen Guo could also enjoy glory and wealth in another world, and her status could be seen from these burial items. These funerary items, some exquisite craftsmanship, some luxurious and brilliant, fully show the luxurious life of the Khitan nobles, reflecting the social outlook at that time, a prosperity.
People now call this discovered tomb a miracle of Khitan culture. Not only is it well preserved and there are many excavated items, but also because the same coffin of the husband and wife is a miracle to interpret khitan culture, so that the mystery of Khitan culture is gradually presented in front of people's eyes.
According to Tarayi, an archaeologist at the time and now the director of the Inner Mongolia Museum, "We were so excited that you can't imagine how beautiful it was." For more than 1,000 years, because of the strong sealing, almost the frescoes have not faded, and you can clearly see the life of the tomb owner and the scene of the Khitan life at that time.
There is a saying that after the fall of the Tang Dynasty, the powerful Khitan nation gradually occupied the Central Plains, and was considered by other people abroad to be the successor of the Tang Dynasty. This hypothesis has been handed down since the fall of the Tang Dynasty, but when the tomb of Princess Chen Guo was excavated, it can be firmly assumed that the Khitan culture was deeply influenced by the Tang Dynasty culture.
Because from the princess and the horse wear gold and silver, jewelry is available, and Princess Chen Guo is on the left side of the horse, showing a kind of dignity. Experts say this fully demonstrates the custom of thick burial in the Tang Dynasty.
In addition, amber-shaped silkworm pupae accessories were found in the tomb, which means that the cocoon is transformed into a butterfly, and the soul seeks the whereabouts of the body. This kind of culture is more common among the Han people, but for the Khitan culture, it is largely influenced by the Han culture's concept of life and death.
5. Summary
A love that spans time and space, until now is still a relish, expressing appreciation for their love. In the social environment at that time, they were the models pursued by countless loving men and women, even if they could not be buried together in the end, they were also touched by the love of Princess Chen Guo and the horse, and our souls would eventually be together.