Empress Xiaocigao (1575 – 31 October 1603), of the Manchu Yehe Nara clan, personal name Monggo Jerjer, was a consort of Nurhaci. She was 16 years his junior.

Life

Family background

Father: Yangginu (; d. 1584), held the title of a third rank prince () Paternal grandfather: Taicu (), held the title of a third rank prince () Paternal uncle: Cinggiyanu (; d. 1584), held the title of a third rank prince (), the father of Bujai (d. 1593) Two elder brothers First elder brother: Narimbulu (; d. 1609), held the title of a third rank prince () Second elder brother: Gintaisi (d. 1619), held the title of a third rank prince ()

Empress Xiaocigao (Qing dynasty)

Wanli era

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. Lady Yehe Nara died on 31 October 1603.

Empress Xiaocigao (Qing dynasty)

Chongde era

On 16 May 1636, after Hong Taiji established the Qing dynasty, Lady Yehe Nara was posthumously elevated to "Empress Xiaociwu".

Empress Xiaocigao (Qing dynasty)

Kangxi era

In 1662, Lady Yehe Nara's posthumous title was changed from "Empress Xiaociwu" to "Empress Xiaocigao", reflecting her status as a consort of Nurhaci (Emperor Gao).

Titles

During the reign of the Wanli Emperor (r. 1572–1620): Lady Yehe Nara (from 1575) Secondary consort (; from October/November 1588) Primary consort () During the reign of Hong Taiji (r. 1626–1643): Empress Xiaociwu (; from 16 May 1636) During the reign of the Kangxi Emperor (r. 1661–1722): Empress Xiaocigao (; from 1662)

Issue

As secondary consort: Hong Taiji (; 28 November 1592 – 21 September 1643), Nurhaci's eighth son, enthroned on 20 October 1626

In fiction and popular culture

Portrayed by Mak Tsui-han in The Rise and Fall of Qing Dynasty (1987) Portrayed by Shi Xiaoqun in Taizu Mishi (2005)

See also

Royal and noble ranks of the Qing dynasty

Notes

References

1575 births

1603 deaths

Xiaocigao, Empress

Jurchens in Ming dynasty

16th-century Chinese women

16th-century Chinese people

17th-century Chinese women

17th-century Chinese people