The Rise and Fall of China’s Only Female Emperor

Wu Zetian, the only woman to rule China as emperor in its 5,000-year history, ascended to unprecedented heights of power during the Tang Dynasty. Beginning as a concubine of Emperor Taizong, she later married his successor, Emperor Gaozong, and eventually declared herself emperor of the short-lived Zhou Dynasty in 690 AD. For over half a century, she dominated Chinese politics with a blend of political acumen, ruthless efficiency, and cultural patronage. However, her reign came to an abrupt end in 705 AD during the Shenlong Coup, orchestrated by her own ministers and son, Li Xian (Emperor Zhongzong).

This pivotal moment forced Wu Zetian to abdicate at age 81, marking the collapse of her Zhou Dynasty and the restoration of the Tang. Yet, unlike most deposed monarchs, she avoided the tragic fates of other fallen rulers—exile, execution, or disgrace. Instead, she retained imperial honors until her death ten months later. How did Wu Zetian, a woman who shattered Confucian taboos, manage such an extraordinary exit?

The Shenlong Coup: A Palace Revolution

The Shenlong Coup (神龙政变) unfolded in January 705 AD. Key figures—including Chancellor Zhang Jianzhi, Crown Prince Li Xian, and military leaders—stormed the palace, executed Wu Zetian’s controversial lovers, the Zhang brothers, and demanded her abdication. Within days:
– January 23: Wu Zetian ordered Li Xian to supervise the state.
– January 24: She formally abdicated.
– January 25: Li Xian was crowned emperor, restoring the Tang Dynasty.

Wu Zetian was relocated to the Shangyang Palace, a luxurious yet effectively gilded prison. Stripped of power, she reportedly stopped grooming herself, aging rapidly. The once-vibrant ruler, who had famously regrown eyebrows and teeth in her 70s, became a shadow of her former self.

A Tiger in Twilight: Wu Zetian’s Humiliation and Dignity

### The Bitter Taste of Power Loss
1. Physical Decline: Court records describe her as “haggard,” shocking Li Xian during visits.
2. Confinement: Guarded by Li Zhe, son of her former favorite minister Li Yifu—a poetic twist of fate.
3. Erased Legacy: Li Xian abolished her Zhou reforms, including her invented Chinese characters (only her personal name, 曌 Zhào, survived).

### The Unbroken Aura of Authority
Despite her fall, Wu Zetian retained astonishing influence:
– Imperial Titles: Li Xian honored her as “Ze Tian Da Sheng Emperor” (则天大圣皇帝), breaking the “one sun, one ruler” tradition.
– Royal Visits: Li Xian visited her every 10 days—unprecedented for a retired monarch (contrast Tang’s other ex-emperors, who died neglected).
– Historical Vindication: Official decrees recast her reign as a “necessary salvation” of the Tang, not a usurpation.

Death and Strategic Legacy

Wu Zetian died on December 16, 705 AD, at 82. Her final act was a masterstroke:
– Last Decree: She requested demotion to “Empress Consort” and burial with Gaozong at Qianling Mausoleum—ensuring her lineage’s protection.
– Political Theater: Li Xian honored her wishes, merging her tomb with Gaozong’s (today, Qianling remains unopened, a rarity among Tang tombs).

Her family also thrived post-coup. Li Xian befriended her nephew Wu Sansi, and her ancestors received lavish tributes—proof her “tiger’s majesty” lingered.

Why Was Wu Zetian Spared the Usual Fate?

1. Coup Nuances: The rebellion targeted her corrupt favorites, not her personally. Many ministers wept at her departure.
2. Li Xian’s Weakness: Facing powerful allies (e.g., his brother Li Dan), he needed her symbolic legitimacy.
3. Mother-Son Bonds: Emotionally, Li Xian—a victim of her earlier exile—couldn’t fully repudiate her.
4. Her Genius: By reframing her rule as “temporary stewardship” and embracing wifely piety in death, she disarmed critics.

Conclusion: The Paradox of Wu Zetian

Wu Zetian’s story defies easy labels. A rebel who became a conservative, a tyrant mourned by her foes, she crafted a legacy that outlived her dynasty. As historian Meng Man notes, she was both the “tiger bullied by dogs” and the “old tiger whose roar still echoed.” Her unmarked stele at Qianling—devoid of inscriptions—speaks volumes: a ruler who knew history’s judgment would never be simple.

For modern readers, her life prompts reflection on power, gender, and how even the mightiest must navigate their twilight.