History and Literature

Fu Hao

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Fu Hao was the wife of Wu Ding (the 23rd Emperor of the Shang Dynasty) with the posthumous title "Xin". According to divinations inscribed on oracle bones, she was the first woman general with marvelous military achievements for whom there is literal proof, an outstanding stateswoman in the Shang Dynasty as well as a mastermind of sacrifices and divinations. Emperor Wu Ding once enfeoffed her and sought for health and longevity for her from the supernatural. Unfortunately Fu Hao died before her husband, who then held a grand funeral for her and built a tomb accompanied with rare funerary objects and many prisoners of war. A solemn memorial hall was also built on her tomb to sacrifice to her soul.

The Tomb of Fu Hao

The Tomb of Fu Hao is a burial chamber of a Shang queen that was unearthed in Yin Ruins by Chinese archaeologists in 1976.

Jade Phoenix from the Tomb of Fuhao

Jade Phoenix from the Tomb of Fuhao

In 1976, a jade phoenix was unearthed from the tomb of Fuhao in the ruins of the Yin Dynasty.
Owl-shaped Bronze Vessel of Zun

Owl-shaped Bronze Vessel of Zun

Owl-shaped bronze vessel was found at the Fuhao tomb of the Yin ruins, Anyang, in Henan province.
Bronze Tomahawks

Bronze Tomahawks

Daggers, tomahawks, and arrowheads are among the weapons excavated, among which two big bronze tomahawks with the inscription ¡°Fu Hao¡° are most attention-getting.
A Bronze Dagger With a Jade Handle

A Bronze Dagger With a Jade Handle

The Jade handle is quite thin and fragile, apparently not a utility.
Square Ding with Flat Foot

Square Ding with Flat Foot

A kind of cooking utensil in the late Shang dynasty, the Ding is 42.4 centimeters in length and its mouth is 33.3 centimeters in width.
A Jade Woman kneeling down

A Jade Woman kneeling down

This jade woman holding her knee and sitting on her legs is believed to be the image of Fuhao.
Sitting Human Figure Pendant Made of Gray Jade

Sitting Human Figure Pendant Made of Gray Jade

This is the image of a slave, featuring a face similar to that of a monkey, wide forehead, garlic-like nose and small mouth.
A Jade Figure of Hermaphrodite

A Jade Figure of Hermaphrodite

Naked and light grey, the jade figure is standing with one side being male and the other being female.
Ivory Cup

Ivory Cup

Made of the root of a tusk, the ivory cup is shaped like a wine vessel, with a dragon-shaped handle leveling with one side.
Owl-Shaped Ornament

Owl-Shaped Ornament

This ornament was unearthed from the tomb of Fu Hao, a consort of King Wu Ding of the Shang Dynasty.