Revealing the secrets of the ancient court: the concubine who was "flipped the brand", and the palace secrets that needed to be supported the next day
In ancient times, deep in the court, there were many secrets that were not known to outsiders. Among them, the most eye-catching is how the emperor chooses the concubines to serve in the bed, a court ritual that is jokingly called "flipping the brand" by later generations. It is not only the embodiment of the emperor's personal preferences and emotions, but also the epitome of the power struggle in the harem. Today, we will explore this court secret in depth and interpret the historical significance and cultural connotation behind it.
1. The "flopping" ceremony in the court
Under the feudal imperial power, there were many beauties in the harem, and every concubine was eager to be favored by the emperor. And the "flop" is the most symbolic part of this process. There is no exact historical record of when this custom began, but it is speculated that its origin may be related to the ancient Chinese divination culture. The emperor's choice of concubines to sleep by flipping the cards is not only a random choice, but also contains the meaning of providence and fate.
In the imperial palace of the Qing Dynasty, the "flopping the brand" ceremony was particularly popular. Every night, the eunuchs would place the name tags of the concubines of each palace on a plate for the emperor to choose. These name tags are usually made of fine jade or ivory and are engraved with information such as the concubine's name, age, and time of entry. When the emperor chooses, he will decide according to his preferences and mood. Sometimes, he may choose a concubine with whom he has a deep affection; Sometimes, newly-promoted, young and beautiful concubines may also be chosen.
Behind this ritual, there are many secrets of the deep palace. The selected concubines often experience a physical and mental baptism. They need to make all preparations in a short time and appear in front of the emperor in the most beautiful posture. The concubines who are not selected may feel lost and frustrated, and even begin to secretly plan the next battle for favor.
Second, the truth that the concubine who was "flipped over" needed someone to support her the next day
In the court, it is not uncommon for concubines who have been "flipped up" to need support the next day. There are many complex reasons behind this phenomenon.
First of all, from a physiological point of view, concubines need to go through a series of preparations before going to bed, such as bathing, changing clothes, makeup, etc. These processes are not only time-consuming and labor-intensive, but also burdensome on the body. Coupled with the luxury and comfort of court life, the physical fitness of the concubines was generally poor. As a result, they often feel exhausted and need to rest and recuperate after bedtime.
Secondly, from a psychological point of view, the concubines who were "flipped up" were under tremendous psychological pressure. They need to be constantly vigilant and nervous in order to cope with the emperor's preferences and mood changes. This long-term state of stress can lead to an imbalance in their mental state, which in turn affects their physical health. In addition, the selected concubines also need to face the jealousy and exclusion of other concubines in the harem, and this psychological pressure is also an important reason why they need to be supported.
Finally, from the perspective of court culture, the need for support for the concubines who were "flipped up" the next day also reflects the uniqueness of ancient court culture. In ancient China, femininity and femininity were seen as a virtue. Therefore, in the court, the concubines need to show their weakness at all times in order to win the emperor's favor and favor. Being supported is a way to show weakness, which can not only highlight the status of the concubines, but also enhance their influence in the harem.
3. Power struggles and survival wisdom in the court
In the court, every "flip card" meant a redistribution of power and a rise and fall in the status of the concubines. Therefore, the concubines in the harem are secretly competing for the emperor's favor and power. This power struggle was not only reflected in the ritual of "flopping the card", but also permeated all aspects of court life.
In order to win the emperor's favor and power, the concubines need to show their ingenuity and survival wisdom. They need to understand the emperor's preferences and personality and do what he likes; It is necessary to establish good relations with other concubines and avoid making enemies; It is also necessary to be good at observing words and feelings, and figuring out the emperor's thoughts and intentions. This survival wisdom will not only help them gain a foothold in the court, but also put them in an advantageous position in the power struggle.
However, the power struggle in the court was also brutal. Sometimes, in order to compete for the emperor's favor and power, the concubines would attack and frame each other by any means. This struggle would not only lead to division and turmoil within the court, but would also cause great distress and annoyance to the emperor. Therefore, in the court, concubines need to keep a clear head and a strong will at all times to deal with various complex situations and challenges.
Fourth, historical significance and cultural connotation
The court ritual of "turning over the brand" not only reflects the power structure and values of ancient society, but also contains rich cultural connotations and historical significance.
First of all, it embodies the extreme power asymmetry under the feudal imperial power. In the court, the emperor had supreme power and status, while the concubines were in a position of being chosen and dominated. This power asymmetry not only led to the tragic fate of the concubines