The Unusual Consorts of Hong Taiji

They say the Qing emperor’s standards for selecting consorts were strict. Whether through the Imperial Household Department or the Eight Banners, candidates were supposed to be unmarried and chaste, weren’t they?

Though early Qing emperors such as Kangxi and Qianlong did take widows into the palace, their numbers were limited.

But Qing Taizong Aisin Gioro Huangtaiji was different. Seven of his consorts were widows, making up 46% of his total consorts.

Even his beloved Hailanzhu was a widow. Three of the five consorts in the Chongde harem were widows. Were widows really so popular with Huangtaiji?

That’s why Huangtaiji was even called the Widow Collector!

Let’s take a look at the seven consorts of Huangtaiji who were widows, and the stories between them and Huangtaiji.