Xue Tao

Xue Tao (simplified Chinese: 薛涛; traditional Chinese: 薛濤; pinyin: Xuē Tāo; Wade–Giles: Hsüeh T'ao, c770–832),[1] courtesy name Hongdu (洪度/宏度)[2] was a Chinese poet and courtesan of the Tang dynasty.[4] She was one of the most famous women poets of Tang poetry, along with Yu Xuanji and Li Ye.[5]

For the Chinese children's writer, see Xue Tao (writer).
In this Chinese name, the family name is Xue.
Xue Tao
薛濤
Xue Tao's portrait by Qiu Ying
Bornc770[1]
Died832[1]
NationalityChinese
Other namesHongdu[2]
Female editor[3]
OccupationPoet, courtesan
Xue Tao Well in Wangjianglou Park, Chengdu.

Life

Xue Tao was the daughter of a minor government official in Chang'an, which was the Chinese capital during the Tang Dynasty. Her father, Xue Yun (薛郧) was transferred to Chengdu, when she was still little, or possibly before her birth. Her father died while she was young, but it's possible that she had some literary education from him;[2] her adult career also offered her the opportunity to learn from practicing poets.

Since the girl's mother did not return to Chang'an, it is possible that they were too poor to do so. Xue was registered with the guild of courtesans and entertainers in Chengdu and in time became well known for her wit and her poetic talent.[2]

Her poetry attracted the attention of Wei Gao, the military governor of Xichuan Circuit (西川, headquartered in modern Chengdu, Sichuan) and she was made his official hostess. In this position she met poets like Yuan Zhen, to whom she was said to have become close; at the very least, this story indicates the charisma of both figures. Certainly, she exchanged poems with Yuan and many other well-known writers of the day,[2] and continued as hostess after Wei's death.

When Wu Yuanheng became governor in 807, she presented him with two poems. Wu was so impressed that he asked the Emperor to appoint Xue as an editor (jiaoshu) in his office. This was an unusual request as Xue was both a woman and a government courtesan. Although Xue was never given the position, she became known as the "female editor". Later "editor" became a euphemism for a courtesan.[3]

In later years, Xue was able to live independently in a site outside the city[2] associated with the great poet of an earlier generation, Du Fu. Some sources record that she supported herself as a maker of artisanal paper used for writing poems. A contemporary wrote that she took on the garments of a Daoist adept, signaling a relatively autonomous status within Tang society.

Hsueh T'ao, a Venusian crater is named after her.[6]

Love Story

Xue Tao[7] pursued happiness and love throughout her life, but love was slow to fall in her favor until she met the poet Yuan Zhen at the age of 41.

Xue Tao was 11 years older than Yuan Zhen, but she conquered this official from the capital with her mature beauty and talent.

She was originally introduced to Yuan Zhen as a "honey-trap". At that time, Yuan Zhen was a new official and was politically upright. He came to investigate a public case and was a censor who did not care about money, but he still could not resist the talented and beautiful woman.

Xue Tao is beautiful and she can write poems and articles. But before meeting Xue Tao, Yuan Zhen, the self-conceited and proud of his own talent poet, did not pay any attention to Xue Tao. At that time, Xue Tao was already over forty years old, but her charm and elegance were not diminished and her talent was extraordinary. So Yuan Zhen was greatly amazed and admired after he met her. Xue Tao also found the spring of love from this young and elegant poet.

The two of them fell in love with each other. However, the good times did not last long, as Yuan Zhen left Sichuan a year later after completing his official duties and returning to the capital. When they waved goodbye, Yuan Zhen promised Xue Tao, he will send someone to meet Xue Tao in Sichuan after he returned to the royal court to resume his duties. Yuan Zhen let her just wait for good news. However, Yuan Zhen forgot his promise, and the affection of Xue Tao moved away and turned into the hugs of a famous prostitute.

Xue Tao was heartbroken, but she accepted the fact after confirming that she and Yuan Zhen had no chance of getting along. That year Xue Tao was forty-six years old. During her life, Xue Tao experienced a total of 11 Jiedushi, each of whom respected and admired her for her talent and beauty. After Xue Tao's death, Jiedushi Wen Chang personally wrote the epitaph for her, which was an unprecedented honor. One of the couplets is preserved in the present Wangjianglou Park.

Poems

Some 450 poems by Xue were gathered in The Brocade River Collection that survived until the 14th century. About 100 of her poems are known nowadays,[2] which is more than of any other Tang dynasty woman. They range widely in tone and topic, giving evidence of a lively intelligence and deep knowledge of the great tradition of earlier Chinese poetry.[8]

References
  1. Jia 2018.
  2. Yu 2010, p. 1.
  3. Lee & Wiles 2014, p. 522.
  4. "About Xue Tao". www.thedrunkenboat.com. Retrieved 2 January 2018.
  5. Huang, Ginger (2013-11-30). "Prostitites and poets - the ancient world of China". www.theworldofchinese.com. Th world of Chinese. Retrieved 2 January 2018.
  6. Appenzeller 2012, p. 226.
  7. "Story of Xue Tao".
  8. Yu 2010, p. 23.

Sources
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