Preamble:
In 618 AD, Li Yuan established the Tang Empire, ushering in the first prosperous and peaceful Tang Dynasty in Chinese history.
In the aristocratic life of the Tang Dynasty, there were three major preferences: Kunlun slaves, Silla maids, and Bodhisattva barbarians, which became a symbol of luxury and exoticism in aristocratic society.
What is so unique about these three that they can be the special preferences of the aristocracy?
This article will demystify these disparate figures and reveal how they influenced the socio-cultural landscape of the Tang Dynasty.
Kunlunnu: The representative of blackness, strength, and loyalty
Kunlun "Kunlun" in Chinese originally refers to mountains and rivers, and can also refer to black things
Most of them came from the archipelago of Southeast Asia, and their complexion was like ink and their physique was strong, and they were used by the Tang aristocracy to show off their wealth and social status.
In the palaces and residences of the nobility, Kunlun Nu was not only a labor force, but also a display of luxury.
There were three ways for Kunlun slaves to enter the Central Plains: tribute, captivity, and abandonment by the mission.
Their existence was not just a slave, but a cultural symbol that showed the Tang Dynasty's connection and influence to the distant world.
However, Kunlunnu's life was not all glamorous.
Despite being the playthings of the aristocracy on the outside, they are actually under great physical and psychological stress.
They were forced to leave their homeland and adapt to a completely different culture and environment.
The appearance of Kunlun Nu brought an exotic atmosphere to the aristocratic society, and it also made people see that behind this beautiful picture, it was built on the dark side of the slave society.
Silla Maid: Oriental elegance and talent
The story of the Silla maid has a more cultural tinge.
Different from the arrogant Kunlun slaves, the Silla maids are gentle and humble, showing the charm of the Oriental style in their gestures.
Among the nobles of the Tang Dynasty, owning Silla maids has become a fashion for them to enjoy wine.
These women, who came from the Korean Peninsula, were revered in the Tang Dynasty for their knowledge and talents.
Fluent in Chinese, adept at music and dance, and often performed at banquets and celebrations, they added an exotic touch to the cultural life of the Tang Dynasty.
Silla maids were not only servants of the aristocracy, but their presence also reflected the complex relationship between the Tang Dynasty and Silla, the product of political marriages and cultural exchanges.
Although the status of these women was higher than that of ordinary slaves, their lives were equally challenging.
As visitors from other countries, they had to integrate into Tang society while maintaining their cultural identity.
Bodhisattva: The mystery and beauty of the Western Regions
In the last century of the Tang Dynasty, the Bodhisattva Barbarian Woman from the depths of Central Asia pushed this exotic style to the peak of history.
They were blond, blue-eyed, plump, wearing flower crowns and red tiger skin robes, and their unique attire and outstanding beauty caused a great sensation on the streets of Chang'an.
These bodhisattva women are not only beautiful in appearance, but also charming in their singing and dancing, often becoming the focus of banquets and winning the favor and praise of many nobles.
But at the same time, their status is also slaves, forced to perform in a foreign land, singing and dancing for the joy of others, and their fate is full of bitterness and helplessness.
The bodhisattva is probably the most mysterious of the three.
Bodhisattvas are not only messengers of culture, but also symbols of politics, and their presence demonstrates the convergence of culture and power.
In the last years of the Tang Dynasty, the story of the Bodhisattva Barbarian was not only a personal joys and sorrows, but also reflected the historical process of the Tang Empire from prosperity to decline.
Cultural convergence or plaything
The socio-cultural landscape of the Tang Dynasty was diverse and inclusive.
The stories of Kunlun, Silla, and Bodhisattva are a direct reflection of the diversity behind this prosperous era.
Their presence not only enriched the cultural life of the Tang Dynasty, but also promoted the diversified development of society.
Through their eyes, we can see a historical scene of cultural exchange and integration that transcends time and space.
However, the introduction of these exotic cultures is also accompanied by deep social contradictions and conflicts.
Although the aristocracy demonstrated their wealth and status by displaying these exotic servants and maids, this practice also deepened the class divisions and cultural divisions of society.
The fate of Kunlun Nu, Silla Maiden and Bodhisattva Man is not only a personal joys and sorrows, but also a microcosm of the changes of the times and cultural conflicts.
Overall, this period of history of the Tang Dynasty allows us to see an era of high cultural prosperity and complex change.
By learning about the stories of Kunlun Nu, Silla Mai and Bodhisattva Man, we can not only feel the richness of history, but also reflect on the issues of cultural diversity and social inclusion today.
This history is not only a review of the past, but also a profound revelation of the present and the future.
Cultural exchange and social influence of the Tang Dynasty
The existence of Kunlun Nu, Silla Maiden, and Bodhisattva Man is not just a simple slave and maid, their lives and stories provide us with a window through which we can peek into the global vision of the Tang Dynasty.
While enjoying these exotic cultures, the aristocratic society of the Tang Dynasty was constantly communicating and interacting with the outside world, which was not limited to material culture, but also included the integration of ideas and art.
In addition, this period of history of the Tang Dynasty also had a profound impact on later generations.
Today, when we look back on this history, we are not only looking at the past, but also thinking about how we can learn from it in order to better understand and respond to the issues of cultural diversity and social inclusion in today's world.
The story of the Tang Dynasty teaches us that cultural exchange and integration can lead to social prosperity, but at the same time, we need to be wary of the inequalities and conflicts that may accompany them.
The history of the Tang Dynasty is a splendid picture, and there is no lack of social changes due to cultural integration.
The status of Kunlun Nu, Silla Maiden, and Bodhisattva Man in Tang Dynasty society not only shows the cultural openness of the Tang Dynasty, but also reveals the complexities and contradictions of that era.
Their stories reflect the society's quest for power, wealth, and cultural identity, while also exposing the inequalities and exploitation that lie underneath.
Although the aristocracy used these exotic figures to demonstrate their social status and cultural tastes, this display was often based on the control and exploitation of these exotic visitors.
This inequality based on class and race reflected some of the darker sides of Tang society.
However, it was this diversity from the outside world that made the Tang Dynasty one of the most culturally prosperous periods in Chinese history.
Epilogue:
Under the prosperous era of the Tang Dynasty, the new favorites of the nobles either voluntarily or were forced to leave their homeland and come to the distant Tang Dynasty.
Some became slaves, some became playthings, and some became wives and concubines.
Through the stories of Kunlun Nu, Silla Maiden, and Bodhisattva Man, we see a vivid example of cross-cultural exchange, and we also feel the weight of history.
Although thousands of years have passed since the Tang Dynasty, its history has left us with a valuable legacy and profound enlightenment.
In today's era of rapid globalization, the experience of the Tang Dynasty is still relevant, reminding us that while pursuing cultural diversity and social development, we should also pay attention to and solve the social problems that may arise from it.
Although the prosperity of the Tang Dynasty is far away, we can still feel the vividness and vividness of that era through the stories of Kunlun Nu, Silla and Bodhisattva.
Their experiences not only enrich our understanding of history, but also inspire us to seek a more equitable and inclusive society in today's pluralistic world.