Ding Lingguang

Ding Lingguang (丁令光; 484 – 526), formally known as Empress Dowager Mu (穆皇太后), was an imperial concubine of Xiao Yan, Emperor Wu of Liang Dynasty. She was a native of Qiao County (谯国), today's Bozhou City, Anhui Province.

Ding Lingguang
丁令光
Empress Dowager Mu
穆皇太后 
Born484
Qiao County, Southern Qi (today Bozhou, Anhui)
Died526 (age 42)
Liang Dynasty
SpouseXiao Yan, Emperor Wu of Liang
IssueEmperor Zhaoming
Xiao Gang, Emperor Jianwen
Xiao Xu, Prince Lulingwei
Posthumous name
Consort Mu (穆妃)
Empress Dowager Mu穆皇太后

Life

Ding Lingguang was born a commoner in Qiao County. A legend details that when she was born, light filled the room.[1] When she was fourteen years old, Xiao Yan, Governor of Yongzhou (雍州刺史), fell in love with this outstanding village girl. Her parents broke Ding's first engagement and offered her as a concubine to Xiao Yan.

In September or October 501, Concubine Ding gave birth to her first child, a son, named Xiao Tong (蕭統). In April of the next year, Xiao Yan established the Liang dynasty. He awarded Ding the title of Noble Imperial Concubine, one of the highest titles held by women in Liang Dynasty. Her only son at that time, Xiao Tong, was made Crown Prince (皇太子).[2][3] They both lived in Xianyang hall.[2]

Ding Lingguang disliked splendid ornaments, gaining the favor of the Emperor and the respect of lesser ranking concubines. On December 2, 503, Noble Imperial Concubine Ding gave birth to Xiao Gang (蕭綱) and in 506 gave birth to Xiao Xu (蕭續).[4][2]

She died in 526 and her husband honored her as Consort Mu (穆妃). Her son, Crown Prince Xiao Tong, died in 531 before his father and was succeeded by his full-brother, Xiao Gang. After Xiao Gang became Emperor of Liang, he elevated his mother's status, posthumously honoring her as Empress Dowager Mu (穆太后).[4]

Title

Issue
  • As a Concubine:
    • Xiao Tong, Emperor Zhaoming (昭明皇帝 蕭統; 501–30 May 531), Xiao Yan's 1st son
  • As a Noble Imperial Concubine:
    • Xiao Gang, Emperor Jianwen (簡文皇帝 蕭綱; 2 December 503 – 551), Xiao Yan's third son
    • Xiao Xu, Prince Lulingwei (廬陵威王 蕭續; 506–547), Xiao Yan's fifth son

References
  1. Keith McMahon (2013). Women Shall Not Rule: Imperial Wives and Concubines in China from Han to Liao. Rowman & Littlefield Publishers. p. 169. ISBN 9781442222908.
  2. Taiping Chang,David R. Knechtges (2010). Ancient and Early Medieval Chinese Literature. pp. 1483–1503.
  3. 《南史·卷十二·列传第二》：贵嫔父道迁，天监初，为历阳太守。庐陵威王之生，武帝谓之曰：“贤女复育一男。”答曰：“莫道猪狗子。”世人以为笑。后位兖州刺史、宣城太守。
  4. 《南史·卷12》，出自李延寿《南史》
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