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Zhaojun's Marriage to Xiongnu

Wang Zhaojun, was born Wang Qiang in the Western Han Dynasty. She became a maid in the royal palace around 48 BC. She was a concubine of Emperor Han Yuandi of China, but she was never granted a chance to meet him.

In 33 BC, Huhanxie Chanyu of Eastern Xiongnu requested to marry a Han Chinese princess from the Chinese Empire, according to the policy of "heqin" or "peace marriage", which would promote peaceful relations between the two empires. However, a woman who was willing to go to the "barbarian" lands of the Xiongnu needed to be found. Wang Zhaojun volunteered, and finally revealed her beauty to the imperial court, which astonished the emperor. It was too late for the emperor to change his mind and Wang departed to her new home and was honoured as "Hu-Pacifying Chief-Consort". Her life became the story of "Zhaojun Departs the Frontier". Peace was maintained for over 60 years between China and the Xiongnu. However, China eventually lost touch with her and her descendants.

Since the 3rd century the story of Zhaojun had been elaborated upon and she had been touted as a tragic heroine. The Communist government of the People's Republic of China uses her as a symbol of the integration of Han Chinese and ethnic minorities of China. Zhaojun Tomb still exists today in Inner Mongolia.

The 20 fen stamp shows Wang Zhaojun
The 50 fen stamp is "Go out of Border"
The 3 Yuan stamp (from the souvenir sheet) is "Get Married (Attempt to Cement Relation)"

 

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