Princess Jinyang

Princess Jinyang (Chinese: 晋阳公主), born Li Mingda (Chinese: 李明达; pinyin: Lǐ Míngdá); (633 644) was a princess of the Tang Dynasty. She was considered as the only princess of China who was raised by an emperor.

Princess Jinyang
晋阳公主
Born633
DiedJanuary 1, 644(644-01-01) (aged 10–11)
Names
Family name: Li
Given name: Mingda
Nickname: Sizi (Little Rhino)
ClanHouse of Li
FatherEmperor Taizong of Tang
MotherEmpress Zhangsun

Biography

Li Mingda was the nineteenth daughter of Emperor Taizong of Tang and the third daughter of Empress Zhangsun.

While Empress Zhangsun died on July 28, 636. Li Mingda, being a toddler, was too young to understand her mother's death, and when she was older and learned the truth, she often felt sad about that. She and her brother Li Zhi were both raised by their father Emperor Taizong. When Li Zhi was 14, he had to go to his manor. Li Zhi and Li Mingda did not want to leave each another, which made Emperor Taizong cry [1]

Li Mingda was good at calligraphy. Once she made a replica of her father's work, no one could distinguish which was by her and which was Taizong's original work.

Li Mingda had a similar personality to her mother Empress Zhangsun, being intelligent, tactful and calm. When Emperor Taizong was angry at someone, she would slowly calm him down. Due to this, she was appreciated by the officials.

Li Mingda died at the age 12. When she died, Emperor Taizong was so affected by grief that he did not eat properly for thirty days until he became emaciated. Many ministers tried to encourage him to get better, and Taizong said "Do you think I don't know grief has no benefits? But I can't stop it, and I don't know the reason why."[2] Li Mingda was buried beside a temple.

References

  1. 舊唐書·諸帝公主傳》:「兄今與群臣同列,不得在內乎?」
  2. 《舊唐書·諸帝公主傳》:「朕渠不知悲愛無益?而不能已,我亦不知其所以然。」
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