An Analysis Of The Concubines In The Song Dynasty

Concubine is a special group of women, and it has an important influence on political economy and marriage and the family of the ancient society. The Song Dynasty is Chinese feudal society and is a period of drastic changes in the historical. During this period, as a special group of people, concubine’s lifestyle and social status also changed greatly.About the factors of the existence of the Song Dynasty’s concubine,it need to be discussed respectively from the two aspects of men and women. Men concubinage are for the sake of son, voluptuous beauty or display their wealth. A small number of men are taking into account the additional value of the women. Many women become concubine in order to survive.But the materialistic ethos has led some women for the sake of rich to be concubine actively.Concubine most are obtained by way of sale. There is also a phenomenon that the maids and prostitutes become concubine. In addition, illegal means to trick, looting, etc. can also lead to the formation of women’s concubine identity.Concubine’s identity is not a constant, in certain circumstances, concubine’s status may also be canceled, the main way are be the wife,or divorce, or let her go,etc. Concubine’s identity of formation and Cancel is randomness.Song concubine family status mainly in the complex relationship with family members, especially with the husband, wife, parent-child. Living conditions and the family’s attitude towards them are also important ways to measure the position of concubine. In general, concubine is in a marginal position in the Song Dynasty family.Law of the Song Dynasty has many legal provisions, for example,concubine marriage ban and they offend family members will be severely punished,etc. But the law of the Song Dynasty also maintain some rights of concubine, although this kind of maintenance is limited and. Overall, the legal status of concubine is very low.This article try to analyze and study on the above content,to investigate concubine sources, the way of life, and then analyze the social status of the Song Dynasty’s concubine.