The Evolution Of The Image Of Wu Zetian

Empress Wu is the only Queen of the ancient China, and she is also a legendary figure.She is not only a historical figure of considerable controversy, but also a distinctive, richfeature artistic character. From historical records to the literature and then to film andtelevision works, Wu Zetian’s image constantly undergoing change.There are a variety of legends about Wu Zetian in the Tang Dynasty. There are a largenumber of records about Wu Zetian, Sui Tang Jia Hua, New Anecdotes of the Tang Dynasty,Chao Ye Qian Zai and so on. In those literati’s works, Wu Zetian was hooded a mysteriousaura, but with respect to all the demonization writing of the Ming and Qing Dynasties, theserecords are still relatively objective, besides criticizing its cool affairs, at the same time, WuZetian also had the majesty and mystery of the Royal and gained the respect.Since the Tang Dynasty，Wu Zetian have became the focus of the h-istorian, had a moredetailed account of the history books of Old Tang Annals, New Tang Annals, Zi Zhi Tong Jian.These history books vigoro-usly preached her bewitching her monarch, commit high treason,reverseof her husband to become the head of the family, cruel without morals and Wantonroughly, ect. Therefore, the historians’ describe of Wu Zetia-n is mostly negative. In thedescription of Wu Zetian, there were some description of Wu Zetian in the poetry, drama，Buddhist sutras of this period，also appeared different image of Wu Zetian.Ming and Qing dynasties, Wu Zetian’s image has undergone a significant change.Empress Wu is a flurry of figures in the Ming and Qing novels. In Sui Tang Historical Novel,Sui Tang Liang Chao Zhi Zhuan, Wu Zetian Gaishi, Ru Yi Jun Zhuan, Flowers in the Mirror,Digong Case-solving Stories, Empress Wu is a very different and complex image. Novelistshaped Wu Zetian’s image, mostly focus on her cruel, licentious and bloodthirsty,highlighting her political ambitions, Wu Zetian basically appeared with a negative image，theinner is prostitution and the outside is harsh. Empress Wu’s statesmanship and forethought asan Queen is weekend by the novelists, but her historic feat is desalted. Wu Zetian’s image isdemonized or deified. On the basis of predecessors, the novelist strengthened the slander and the moral criticism to Wu Zetian about her reverse of her husband to become the head of thefamily, bewitching her monarch and wanton roughly. She also has a distinctive image in theMing and Qing drama and literati notes. Different positions, the authors have a differentevaluation of Wu Zetian.Qing Dynasty, the spread of Wu Zetian’s image is broader, the image is more variable.From the history books to novels, dramas, to film and television, Wu Zetian’s image showingmore and more complex features, with a distinctive characteristics of the times and thecreator’s personal thinking traces. In the constantly evolution, with the the Wu Zetian’s imageis rendered in light and shadow, its charm will last forever.Empress Wu is a real historical figure, a vivid image of literature and art gallery. She isa distorted image of the patriarchal discourse for a long time. Departure from the Wu Zetian’sfemale characteristics, from a gender perspective, this image has an important social andpractical significance.