The Yuan Dynasty was a unique period in Chinese history, it was a large multi-ethnic empire founded by the Mongols. In this huge country, political relations and family ties are an important part of social life. This article will explore the marriage policy of the Yuan Dynasty, especially the political marriages and family arrangements in it.
First, we need to understand what a "political marriage" is. A political marriage is a relationship between two or more individuals or groups that strengthens a political alliance through marriage. In the Yuan Dynasty, since the rulers were mostly Mongols, their marriage strategy was mainly to consolidate their position and power and expand the influence of the Mongols. In addition, they hope to win over other ethnic groups through marriage in order to better govern the diverse country.
First, they would pick out some influential nobles, officials, and even foreigners as potential candidates for brides. They would then take these candidates to the palace for a draft and finally select the most suitable candidate to become the emperor's wife. In this way, it not only ensures the purity of the royal bloodline, but also strengthens the ties between Mongolia and other ethnic groups.
In addition to the royal family, the Mongol aristocracy would adopt a similar strategy. They would marry their daughters to powerful landowners or other nobles in order to further enhance their family's status. In this case, the daughter who is married off is no longer a mere female individual, but a tool for the exchange of resources. However, in practice, many girls who are married into wealthy families do not enjoy the treatment they deserve, and may even be abused.
At the same time, we also need to note that the family structure of the Yuan Dynasty was very complex. Because in the social context of the Yuan Dynasty, each person's identity was not just a simple label, but a reflection of their identity in all aspects of politics, economy, and society. This means that every family is made up of many different roles, including but not limited to parents, children, relatives, etc.
In such complex situations, people tend to make decisions according to certain rules to ensure that the interests of the family are protected to the greatest extent. For example, parents will prioritize those who will help improve the status of the family, rather than just pursuing love and personal happiness. Children, on the other hand, are expected to follow various rules, such as respecting their elders and obeying their parents' decisions.
In general, the marriage policy of the Yuan Dynasty was a politically charged act, and its main goal was to maintain Mongol dominance and promote harmonious coexistence among the various ethnic groups. Although this method caused family conflicts and other problems to a certain extent, in a larger sense, it did help the Yuan Dynasty establish a stable social order and promote the development of Chinese civilization.