In the glorious years of the Tang Dynasty, Kunlun Nu, Silla and Bodhisattva Man, like three bright pearls, were embedded in the luxurious splendors of aristocratic life. They are not only luxuries, but also cultural symbols, historical imprints, and microcosms of society.
In 618 AD, Li Yuan unveiled the prelude to the Tang Empire and composed a glorious movement of Chinese history. Time passed, and during the reign of Xuanzong Tianbao of the Tang Dynasty, the Tang Empire was in full swing, not only with economic prosperity, but also with dazzling culture. The ceremonial state and Chinese character culture of the Central Plains attract dozens of surrounding ethnic groups like a magnet. According to the "Old Tang Book", there are more than 70 countries that worship and pay tribute to the Tang Dynasty.
Kunlun Nu
In this dazzling Tang Dynasty, the fragrance of exoticism also drifts away with the wind. Chang'an, an international metropolis at the time, became a colorful picture scroll, where foreigners of all races gathered. And the most striking of them are the black people who are collectively known as "Kunlun slaves". They are like huge rocks, crossing thousands of mountains and rivers from the South Seas and stepping into the Central Plains. They arrived in three ways: some were sent to Chang'an as precious tribute, some were indigenous to the South China Sea and were unfortunately taken captive to the Central Plains by Tang Dynasty merchants, and some entered the Tang Dynasty with missions from Southeast Asian and South Asian countries, where they were abandoned.
However, regardless of where they came from, most of the Kunlun slaves were eventually sold to the Central Plains. They were either enslaved or hired by the nobility to learn singing and dancing to add an exotic touch to the feast. It is worth mentioning that there is also a small group of Kunlun slaves from more distant North Africa, and these people are called "monk slaves". They were black slaves captured by Arab traders and also became the playthings of the Tang Dynasty aristocracy.
The Kunlun slaves were tall and powerful, as powerful as oxen, but they were gentle and loyal and reliable. These unique qualities made them popular among the wealthy and aristocratic in Tang society. Some wealthy families even boasted of their status by the number of Kunlun slaves they owned. In order to better control these black slaves, the slave owners would also castrate them.
In the glory days of the Tang Dynasty, the appearance of Kunlun Nu undoubtedly injected an exotic atmosphere into the upper class. However, behind this beautiful picture, the dark side of society built on slavery is exposed. The fate of these black people has become an insignificant scar behind the prosperity of the Tang Dynasty.
Silla maid
Between the "savages" of the tropical South China Sea and the court ladies of Goguryeo and Silla in the east, the heartstrings of the Tang nobles seemed to be plucked more gently by the latter. Those Korean women, known as the "Silla maids", are like delicate flowers blooming in the southeast of the Central Korean Peninsula. In the mid-7th century, Silla joined forces with the Tang Dynasty and defeated Baekje in the west and Goguryeo in the north.
However, when the dance finally came to an end, the relationship between Silla and the Tang Dynasty did not last long. In order to compete for the dominance of the peninsula, the two countries danced again and launched a seven-year contest. Eventually, in 676, Silla was defeated by the Tang Dynasty's glorious dance and chose to surrender and pay tribute every year as a sign of submission. Among them, the most striking are the handmaidens carefully selected by the Silla court, who are so picturesque that they are known as "Silla maids".
Before stepping into the Tang Dynasty, these Silla maids had already experienced multiple edifications such as Chinese, singing and dancing, and music, like budding flowers ready to bloom on the land of the Central Plains. Unlike the arrogant Kunlun slaves, the Silla maids were gentle and humble, and their gestures flowed with oriental charm. Their fair skin and petite figures are no different from those of Tang women, but their facial features are deep and their eyes reveal an exotic and mysterious charm.
As soon as these exotic flowers entered Chang'an City, they were immediately warmly sought after by the nobles. Wealthy families rushed to buy them, hoping to include these Silla maids in their homes and become their maids-in-waiting. Silla was not only talented and capable, but also proficient in Chinese and familiar with Tang Dynasty etiquette. Their sweet singing voices and graceful dancing often amaze the four seats at banquets. On weekdays, they are known for their hard work and ability, and they have won the trust of their owners. Even some lucky Silla maids had the opportunity to become concubines of the main family, which became a beautiful scenery in the life of the nobles of the Tang Dynasty.
It can be said that in the prosperous Tang Dynasty, owning a Silla maid has become a symbol of identity and status. They not only satisfied the aristocracy's yearning and pursuit of foreign cultures, but also became a means for them to show their power and status. However, these Silla princesses could not escape the shackles of fate after all, and they were forced to leave their homeland and become the playthings of others. Their joys and sorrows, the rise and fall of honor and disgrace have also become a touch of sadness and helplessness in this glorious and prosperous world.
Bodhisattva barbarian
If the Kunlun slaves and the Silla maids are the shining pearls of exotic customs, then in the last glorious moments of the Tang Dynasty, the "Bodhisattva Barbarian" women who came from the depths of Central Asia are like stars, pushing this exotic atmosphere to the peak of history. According to the history of the Tang Dynasty, from 847 to 859 AD, a mysterious small country called the "Female Barbarian State" paid tribute to the Tang Dynasty many times. Their unique costumes and the beauty of the country and the city make them unique in the prosperous Chang'an City and are known as "Bodhisattva Barbarians".
The female barbarian kingdom was located in the northwestern frontier of the Tang Dynasty, roughly equivalent to today's Central Asia. The women there are blonde and blue-eyed, with a high nose, deep eyes, a slender figure, and three-dimensional facial features like sculptures. Wearing a crown of gold ornaments, an emerald green jade around their necks, and a red tiger skin robe, they are like goddesses in flames, full of the exotic customs of Central Asia.
These women not only have outstanding appearances, melodious singing voices, and graceful dancing, but they are like bright pearls in Chang'an City, attracting the attention of countless upper class society. However, we cannot ignore that most of the Bodhisattvas did not come to the Central Plains out of their own volition, but were plundered to the Tang Dynasty as trophies by merchants from all walks of life, and became the playthings of the powerful and rich. They sang and danced at banquets to bring joy to their masters and guests, or they became concubines of wealthy families and lived a life of fine clothes and food.
Their golden hair and fair skin complement each other, and they are paired with red gauze dance skirts, like moving pictures. The singing, dancing and exoticism brought by the Bodhisattva Man undoubtedly injected new vitality into the prosperity of the Tang Dynasty culture. Behind this, however, lies a brutal history of the powerful tribes of Central Asia contributing their populations to powerful empires. In those exotic songs and dances, is there a soft sob?
epilogue
Kunlunnu, with its vigorous physique and unique exotic customs, became the object of pursuit by the aristocracy. They are like lions in the distance, so powerful and mysterious that it is impossible to resist their charm. The Silla maid, with her intelligence, dexterity and gentle temperament, won the favor of the nobles. They are like catkins in spring, soft and elegant, bringing endless reverie to people. And the Bodhisattva, with his talent and elegance, has become the focus of the nobles. They are like snow lotuses on the high mountains, elegant and noble, which makes people fascinated.
However, this particular preference did not arise solely from the extravagance and vanity of the aristocracy. Deeper cultural, historical and social reasons also play a role in this. Kunlun Nu, Silla Maiden, and Bodhisattva Man, each representing different cultural, historical, and social backgrounds. Their existence not only shows the open-mindedness and multicultural vision of the Tang Dynasty aristocracy, but also reflects the prosperity and tolerance of the society at that time.
In this prosperous Tang Dynasty era of cultural integration, historical precipitation, and social progress, Kunlun Nu, Silla maids and Bodhisattvas became the three most cherished things in the lives of nobles. They not only represent the tastes and pursuits of the aristocracy, but also become a unique symbol and symbol of the history and culture of the Tang Dynasty.