Strange Phenomena Marked the Birth of Empress Dowager Cixi, Foreshadowing the Collapse of the Qing Dynasty
Celestial Omens
On the day of Empress Dowager Cixi's birth, the "Shuntian Prefecture Gazetteer" recorded an extraordinary event: "In the 15th year of the Daoguang era, in the 10th month of the lunar calendar, divine ravens gathered in droves for three days, refusing to disperse."
In ancient Chinese society, great significance was attributed to the believed connection between celestial phenomena and human affairs. It was widely held that unusual occurrences in nature or the heavens foretold the rise and fall of dynasties.
For instance, the "Seven Stars Aligned" phenomenon, when a celestial body was believed to align with mythical creatures such as the Qilin, Dragon, or Turtle, was seen as a sign of extraordinary future destiny.
The Omen of Ravens
However, on the fateful day of Cixi's birth, an ominous sight filled the skies of the Qing Dynasty. The "Shuntian Prefecture Gazetteer" further notes that "divine ravens gathered in droves and refused to disperse for three days." On that same date, Cixi was born.
According to various accounts, when Empress Dowager Cixi entered the world, she remained silent for an entire three days and nights. Her family feared that she was mute or afflicted with a strange illness, convinced that she would not survive. In a parallel incident, black ravens swarmed the yard behind Cixi's house, covering the sky and cawing incessantly. Even as Cixi remained mute for three days and nights, the ravens continued their cacophony.
Furthermore, historical records document that a flock of ravens circled the Forbidden City, flying back and forth before settling over the Zhonghai and Nanhai lakes within its walls. Witnesses to this eerie spectacle whispered that the harbinger of the Qing's demise had been born, predicting the dynasty's imminent end. But Emperor Daoguang, ruling at the time, interpreted these events as auspicious omens. Overjoyed, he even hosted a grand banquet for his court officials that lasted three consecutive days.
The Shamanistic Interpretation
The Manchu people who ruled the Qing Dynasty practiced Shamanism, a belief system in which the raven is revered as a sacred bird representing good fortune and blessings. Moreover, in the Nuzhen legend, ravens had been credited with saving their ancestors. Therefore, when a multitude of ravens appeared and flew around the Forbidden City, Emperor Daoguang interpreted it as an extraordinary sign of divine favor.
Unbeknownst to him, the "good fortune" he celebrated would ultimately lead the Qing Dynasty on a path of decline and eventual destruction.
The Reign of Empress Cixi
As Cixi grew, her beauty and the prominence of her Yehe Nara clan, which had served in the imperial court for generations, made her stand out in the consort selection process held by Daoguang's son, Emperor Xianfeng. She became Xianfeng's favored concubine and, after bearing his only son, orchestrated a coup upon his death. Cixi took control of the Qing Dynasty and ruled for 47 years.
During her reign, the Qing missed several opportunities for reform and resurgence, placing the dynasty further on the path to collapse.
Mysterious Occurences at Cixi's Death
Even after her passing, Empress Dowager Cixi's death was surrounded by rumors of strange phenomena.
Thunderbolts and Lightning
According to unofficial accounts, the weather on the day of Cixi's funeral ceremony took an unusual turn. The sky alternated between sunshine and rain, with claps of thunder and lightning despite clear skies. Many interpreted these events as an expression of divine disapproval toward the Empress Dowager. Some even believed it foreshadowed impending disaster.
Historians, however, argue that the erratic weather was merely a natural occurrence unrelated to Cixi's death.
Lifelike Effigies
Eyewitnesses claimed that the paper effigies used in Cixi's funeral procession came to life, with soldiers and horses moving as if they were real, causing terror among the crowd.
Modern historians attribute this phenomenon to a psychological effect. The effigies' movement was likely caused by the wind, creating an illusion of lifelike behavior.
Blood from the Coffin
Rumors circulated that during Cixi's funeral, blood seeped from her coffin, staining the ground red. Historians believe that this was most likely a misunderstanding due to some type of fluid leaking from the coffin. Another theory suggests that fabricated accounts of such an event were spread to instill fear and awe in people.
Undecayed Corpse
Years after Empress Dowager Cixi's death, warlord Sun Dianying led his troops to her tomb, intending to plunder it for its treasures. Upon opening her coffin, they were shocked to find her body remarkably preserved, appearing as if she were only sleeping. This discovery sent shivers down the spines of the grave robbers.
The explanation lies in the ancient embalming techniques used, which involved chemicals and substances that preserved the body. Historians note that mercury and wax were frequently employed for this purpose, inhibiting decomposition.
Mysteries of the Night Pearl
According to legend, Sun Dianying remained undeterred by these discoveries. His ultimate prize was the legendary night pearl placed in Cixi's mouth. Upon its removal, the Empress Dowager's body supposedly withered and rotted instantly. Panicked by this sight, the grave robbers abandoned their loot and fled.
Scientific research suggests that the exposure to air after opening the coffin caused the body to oxidize and decompose rapidly. The night pearl itself did not possess any mystical power to alter the corpse's state.
The Rise and Fall of a Dynasty
Empress Dowager Cixi, originally a concubine to Emperor Xianfeng, became Empress Dowager upon his death in 1861. She served as regent during the reigns of her two sons, Tongzhi and Guangxu, and her nephew, Xuantong. Her influence effectively controlled the Qing court for 47 years.
In 1908, when both Cixi and Emperor Guangxu fell gravely ill, she summoned Guangxu to her bedside. Three days after his arrival, Emperor Guangxu and Cixi passed away in succession.
On December 2, 1908, Puyi formally ascended to the throne, taking the reign name Xuantong. He became the last emperor of the feudal era in China.
The Qing Dynasty, after 276 years, came to an end on February 12, 1912, with the abdication of Empress Longyu. As the dynasty crumbled, the imperial family and their associates changed their surnames to avoid persecution.