Princess Changle

Princess Changle (Chinese: 張樂公主), born Li Lizhi (Chinese: 李麗質; pinyin: Lǐ Lìzhì); (621 – September 28, 643) was a princess of the Tang dynasty.[1][2] She was the fifth daughter of Emperor Taizong of Tang, and the oldest daughter of Empress Zhangsun.

Princess Changle
張樂公主
Born621
DiedSeptember 28, 643(643-09-28) (aged 21–22)
Burial
Zhao Mausoleum, Shaanxi
SpouseZhangsun Chong
IssueZhangsun Yan
Names
Family name: Li
Given name: Lizhi
ClanHouse of Li
FatherEmperor Taizong of Tang
MotherEmpress Zhangsun

Biography

According to her epitaphs, Li Lizhi was intelligent and had a bright personality and beautiful appearance. She was especially favoured by her parents, Taizong and Empress Zhangsun. Li Lizhi was also a painter.[3]

At the age of 8, Li Lizhi got the princess title. Li Lizhi married her cousin Zhangsun Chong, the son of Zhangsun Wuji in 633.

Emperor Taizong wanted his daughter's marriage to have a high dowry, and the chancellor Fang Xuanling suggested him that her dowry could be doubled, compared with Taizong's sister, Princess Yongjia. However, Taizong did not do that because Wei Zheng said it is the overstepping of Confucius rule.[4] Empress Zhangsun bestowed Wei Zheng for his justice.

Li Lizhi had a son, Zhangsun Yan. By 639, Emperor Taizong wanted to establish the key contributors to his reign, including Zhangsun Wuji, posts as governors to be passed to their descendants. There was much objection to this plan, including from Zhangsun Wuji, who sent Princess Changle to remonstrate to her father. Upon hearing his daughter's remonstrance, Emperor Taizong gave up the plan.

Death

Li Lizhi died on September 28, 643, likely due to a genetic condition that affected many other members of her family. Taizong was very aggrieved because of her death at a young age. She was buried in Zhao Mausoleum beside her parents.

Tomb

Li Lizhi's tomb is just beside Zhao Mausoleum. It was opened in 1991. In her tomb, there are murals on the walls, and pottery tomb figures.

The most famous mural in the tomb is a painting of cart and house in the cloud. The murals illustrated the technique of painting during the Tang dynasty.

References
  1. Jingfang, Y., 2014. Textual Research on the Mural Painting of Chariot-Horse in Cloud in the Tomb of Princess Changle of the Tang dynasty. Journal of Nanjing Arts Institute (Fine Arts & Design), p.05.
  2. Liu, C.J. 2005, Ritual concepts and political factors in the making of Tang dynasty princess tombs (643-706 A.D.), University of London, School of Oriental and African Studies (United Kingdom).
  3. 《大唐故長樂公主墓誌銘》：“（公主）散玉軸於縹帙，懸鏡慚明；耀銀書於彩箋，春葩掩麗。”
  4. 《舊唐書》：「魏征諫-{云}-：「皇帝之姑姊為長公主，皇帝之女為公主，既有『長』字，合高於公主。若加於長公主，事甚不可。」引漢明故事-{云}-：「群臣欲封皇子為王，帝曰：『朕子豈敢與先帝子等。』」
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