Empress Xiaocigao

Empress Xiaocigao (1575 – 31 October 1603), born into the Manchu Yehe Nara clan, was a consort of Nurhaci, the founder of the Later Jin (later Qing) Dynasty. Her personal name was Monggo Jerjer. She was significantly younger than Nurhaci, being 16 years his junior.

Family Background:

Her father was Yangginu, who held the title of a third rank prince (贝勒). Her paternal grandfather was Taicu, also holding the title of a third rank prince. Her paternal uncle was Cinggiyanu, who died in 1584; he was also a third rank prince and the father of Bujai, who died in 1593. Lady Yehe Nara had two elder brothers: Narimbulu, who died in 1609, and Gintaisi, who died in 1619. Both brothers held the title of third rank prince.

Marriage and Children:

In October or November 1588, Lady Yehe Nara married Nurhaci, becoming one of his multiple wives. On 28 November 1592, she gave birth to Nurhaci's eighth son, Hong Taiji, who later became the first emperor of the Qing Dynasty. She was known during her lifetime as a secondary consort.

Death and Posthumous Honors:

Lady Yehe Nara died on 31 October 1603. Following her death, she was posthumously honored. On 16 May 1636, after Hong Taiji proclaimed the Qing dynasty, she was given the posthumous title "Empress Xiaociwu." Later, during the reign of the Kangxi Emperor, her posthumous title was amended to "Empress Xiaocigao" in 1662, acknowledging her status as a consort of Nurhaci, the Emperor Gao.

Titles:

- During Wanli era (reign 1572–1620): Lady Yehe Nara from 1575; she became a secondary consort in October or November 1588; later promoted to primary consort.

- During Hong Taiji’s reign (1626–1643): Empress Xiaociwu (from 16 May 1636).

- During Kangxi’s reign (1661–1722): Empress Xiaocigao (from 1662).

Issue:

As a secondary consort, she was the mother of Hong Taiji (1592–1643), Nurhaci's eighth son, who was enthroned on 20 October 1626.

Representation in Media:

Lady Yehe Nara has been portrayed in popular culture, including by Mak Tsui-han in the 1987 television series "The Rise and Fall of Qing Dynasty" and Shi Xiaoqun in the 2005 series "Taizu Mishi."

See also:

- Ranks of imperial consorts in China under the Qing dynasty

- Noble ranks of the Qing dynasty

- Yehe Nara clan

References:

Her biography and related historical records are documented in the Veritable Records of Manchuria, "The Last Emperors: A Social History of Qing Imperial Institutions" by Evelyn S. Rawski, "Daily Life in the Forbidden City" by Wan Yi et al., and the Draft History of Qing (Qing Shi Gao) by Zhao Erxun.