Posted 2017/10/19
The term Eight Beauties of Qinhuai refers to a group of eight legendary beauty queens living along the Qinhuai river among thousands of licensed prostitutes. The Qinhuai River used to be called Huai Water, and was renamed Qinhuai for the legend that Qin Emperor Shihuang, the first emperor of the Qin Dynasty (221-206 BC), ordered to introduce Huai Water to the city by excavating a mountain. These eight women are separately Liu Rushi, Gu Hengbo, Ma Xianglan, Chen Yuanyuan, Kou Baimen, Bian Yujing, Li Xiangjun and Dong Xiaowan. They lived in the late Ming Dynasty and early Qing Dynasty period, therefore most of them experienced the change of dynasties and vicissitudes of life.
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They are famous not only for their beauty but also their inner sides. The eight beauties of Qinhuai River are remembered mostly due to the following three reasons. First of all, they are patriotic people. Although they live in the riproarious vanity fair, these women never lose their integrity to the nation. Furthermore, they are honest to love and friendship. Unlike most women living in that background, they fall in love with men and stick to their love, regardless of the war and the vicissitudes. Some of them married patriotic generals or scholars. Their love stories are still told today. Last but not least, they are well versed with in poem, painting, singing, as well as writing. They are talented in literary things. However, most of their works are lost during the war.
Li Xiangjun was one of the eight beauties of Qinhuai. She was loyal to the beloved, disdained the wealth, and refused to marry to a noble prince. The most dramatic story of these courtesans is Chen Yuanyuan, and it is said her beauty caused contention leading to the national crisis and the failure of the peasant uprising of Li Zicheng and the founding of the Qing Dynasty.
